2022 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo confirmed as sole variant for Australia

UPDATE, July 2022: Australian pricing announced for new Skoda Fabia

Local pricing and features for the new Skoda Fabia have now been revealed. Get all the details at the link below.

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March 24, 2022

The 2022 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo has been confirmed for a local berth, set to land in Australian showrooms from the third quarter of the year.

Skoda will only bring the high-spec Monte Carlo Edition 150 variant to Australia initially with further grades to follow.

Powered by the 1.5-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine rather than the 1.0-litre three-cylinder found in Europe, the Fabia will be available exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, helping to deliver its 110kW and 250Nm to the front wheels.

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Those power and torque figures will provide a significant boost over the outgoing Fabia Monte Carlo, which could only manage 81kW and 200Nm from its turbocharged 1.0-litre three-pot engine, although it's expected the new arrival will also come at a premium.

The previous MY21 Fabia Monte Carlo was the most expensive model in the nameplate's Australian history, starting out at $28,490 before on-road costs, but with the upgrades across the board to the new model, it's expected the list price could easily exceed $30,000.

Wheels will provide more Australia-specific details of the Fabia closer to the model's local launch.

Read below for more information about the Fabia's sole Australian variant.

February 16, 2022

Skoda has officially unveiled the 2022 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo, the flagship variant of its Polo-sized hatchback.

As opposed to the rest of the Skoda range, where the RS badge adorns its range-topping grades, the Monte Carlo serves as the top-spec variant for the Fabia, continuing a tradition which has now lasted for three generations.

Under the bonnet is a choice of two engines – a 1.0-litre inline three-cylinder making 81kW, or a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit which produces 110kW – with transmission options of a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for the former, while the latter is available as an auto only.

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Riding on 17-inch wheels, the alloys feature Skoda's new aero design – which aims to cut drag, working in tandem with its actively adjustable cooling shutter within the lower portion of the front bumper, bringing the Monte Carlo's drag coefficient down to a class-leading 0.28.

Inside the cabin, occupants are met with sports seats with integrated headrests, a three-spoke steering wheel and stainless steel pedals, giving the interior a racey feel.

Standard is a digital dashboard – the same 10.25-inch unit available in other Volkswagen Group products – while nine airbags within the cabin keep up to five occupants safe, helping the Fabia to its five-star Euro NCAP rating.

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As yet unconfirmed for Australia, the Monte Carlo grade could join the incoming fourth-generation Fabia range, which is set to launch locally in the third quarter of this year.

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February 9, 2022

The first 'real world' teaser of the new 2022 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo has been released, showing off the badge which is affixed to the hatchback's guards.

As more information gets drip-fed ahead of its official reveal next week on February 15, the latest teaser shows off the new-generation Fabia's angular lines and twisted wheel design, joining the design language of the hot models in Skoda's stable.

Last week, Skoda's Australian arm couldn't confirm whether the Monte Carlo variant would arrive on local shores but hinted at a potential Launch Edition of the light hatchback, as its launch has potentially been pushed back from the start of May to the third quarter of 2022, owing to supply shortages.

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February 3, 2022

Skoda has teased the 2022 Fabia Monte Carlo ahead of its February 15 unveiling.

The sportiest Fabia – with an RS variant unlikely to appear – is set to return in fourth-generation guise, featuring revised styling, black accents, sports seats and Monte Carlo badging.

As seen in the teaser images, the Monte Carlo will also sport a two-tone finish – with a black roof, mirrors and rear spoiler joined by bright red paintwork.

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Inside, the Fabia is likely to follow the Kamiq Monte Carlo in offering cloth bucket seats with integrated headrests. Red accents are also splashed across the cabin, along with a Monte Carlo-badged leather steering wheel and carbon fibre-look trim pieces.

There is also a set of redesigned alloy wheels – likely 17-inches in diameter, as seen on existing flagship Fabia grades – and what appear to be darkened headlight and tail-light lenses.

Sports suspension is also likely, as seen on the outgoing Monte Carlo variant.

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Under the bonnet, the Fabia Monte Carlo is expected to offer the choice between an 81kW/200Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol, or a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo four.

The three-cylinder 81TSI is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in Europe, while the flagship 110TSI is an automatic-only proposition.

Skoda’s local arm is yet to officially confirm the Fabia Monte Carlo for Australia, but it is likely to top the new-generation Fabia range when it launches around April.

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The Czech light hatch is now based on the same MQB A0 architecture as the Kamiq and Volkswagen Polo, allowing it to gain a slew of modern niceties.

Inspired by the larger Scala and Octavia, the Fabia sports slim LED headlights, a larger front grille and thin C-shaped tail-lights.

Boasting a greater profile than its predecessor across every dimension, the Fabia has a 2564 millimetre wheelbase and measures 4107mm long, 1780mm wide and 1460mm tall – with an extra 94mm in wheelbase, 110mm in length and 48mm in width (but 7mm less in height) over the outgoing Fabia.

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Up-to-date goodies such as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, free-standing infotainment display measuring up to 9.2 inches and a panoramic sunroof are available.

Other Fabia-first additions include; wireless phone charging, gesture control, ambient lighting, rear-seat air conditioning vents, a heated steering wheel and full-LED lighting.

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The 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol is also available in manual-only non-turbo 48kW/59kW and turbocharged 70kW tunes in Europe.

Australian variants are poised to centre around the range-topping 110kW four-cylinder – likely with an eight-speed torque converter automatic, as seen on the Octavia and Volkswagen Golf.

The 2022 Skoda Fabia will arrive in Australia in the first half of the year – likely in April – with pricing and specification details to be announced closer to launch.