SKODA'S smallest car, the Fabia hatchback, has put on a growth spurt for its fourth generation and now stretches further than opposition like Ford's Fiesta and the VW Polo.

It is also longer between front and rear wheels than the Skoda Octavia of 1996 which was judged a comfortably sized family car in its day.

At a length of 4,108mm, it exceeds the fourâmetre mark for the first time. Compared to its predecessor, the new Fabia is 111mm longer; its wheelbase has increased by 94mm to 2,564mm, and at 1,780mm, it is 48mm wider.

Skoda has also significantly increased the Fabia's boot, which was already the largest in the segment for the predecessor. The new Fabia now offers 380 litres of storage space, which is another 50litres more than before. By folding down the rear seats, the capacity of the boot can be increased to 1,190litres.

Skoda has reduced the new Fabia's drag coefficient to 0.28 (down from 0.32), setting arecord in the small car segment. An important aerodynamic feature is the new type of cooling shutter in the front bumper's lower airinlet, which Skoda is using for the first time in this vehicle segment. Actively adjustable slats automatically close when there is little need for cooling, improving aerodynamics and reducing fuel consumption.

Skoda offers five engines from the Volkswagen Group's latest EVO generation for the new Fabia, with power outputs ranging from 64bhp to148bhp. Four of the five engines, inconjunction with the optional 50-litre fuel tank, can cover more than 550 miles between refills.

The 1.5TSI with a power output of 148bhp is fitted with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox as. The models delivering up to 94bhp are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, while there is achoice of a six-speed manual gearbox and an automatic seven-speed DSG for the 1.0TSI producing 108bhp.

The Fabia's is characterised by the free-standing infotainment display measuring up to 9.2inches. The newFabia can also be fitted with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster for the first time. Comfort features as found in higher-tier vehicles, such as a heated windscreen and heated steering wheel, are other options making their Fabia debut.