Skoda still scouting Fabia

News that the Skoda Fabia Scout has gone on sale in the UK reignites the questions regarding the future of the compact car in Australia. The Volkswagen-owned Czech brand doesn't have a light car in its current local line-up -- and the Polo-based Fabia could be an ideal fit.

The Fabia Scout (pictured) offers the same "rugged-styling" of the Octavia Scout with black protective body mouldings on the lower half of the car as well as special 16-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails and unique Scot upholstery.

It's available with either a 1.4-litre petrol or diesel engine and a larger 1.9-litre TDI, all of which are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Power runs through the front-wheels, making the Scout more about style than any real off-road credentials.

Even so, the separation from the similarly sized VW Polo and Golf can only help the Fabia's Australian cause. Skoda Australia has previously insisted that it isn't worried about the Fabia taking sales from either of the VW hatches because it is sized in-between the pair.

As previously reported (more here), the Fabia is on the local agenda and the release of the right-hand drive Scout hasn't changed that.

"We're still evaluating Fabia and the variants in that model range," said Skoda Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling. "At this stage we haven't got a release date or confirmation for Australia."

Gehling's previous comments about the benefits of a top-down approach for the Fabia range, should the RS model reach production, could also work in favour of the Scout.

But before there is a decision about the Fabia in either basic, RS or Scout form, the importer will need to finalise the local specification of the Yeti compact SUV, joining the Roomster, Octavia and Superb in Australian Skoda showrooms.

Gehling was speaking to the Carsales Network from the international launch of the Yeti in Europe. He was attending the launch to gauge feedback and interest from the car before negotiations continue.

Skoda Australia chief, Matthew Wiesner, has previously made no secret of his desire to see the VW Tiguan-sized SUV on our shores (more here and here) and Gehling has also expressed some enthusiasm for the newcomer.

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