Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 2022: Australian release confirmed for hotter Fabia variant

What was originally declared to be European-only will migrate to Australia, with a local release of the next-gen Fabia Monte Carlo locked in

The Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo hatch will return to Australia in new-generation form just months after the Czech carmaker said the variant would be missing from the local lineup when it is released in the third quarter of 2022, between July and September.

The change of heart does not come at the expense of the Australian-specific Fabia Launch Edition, which will also be part of the local lineup for Skoda‘s smallest local-market vehicle that shares its MQB-A0 platform with the Volkswagen Polo.

Skoda has now confirmed that the Fabia will arrive with one variant – a ‘Launch Edition’ called the Monte Carlo with 150hp (110kW).

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 2022 studio shot — The Monte Carlo Fabia will feature black accent exterior trim

Skoda Australia confirmed at the car’s European launch that the new Fabia range would be released in the third quarter of 2022, so we could see the Monte Carlo edition launched between July and September of 2022.

Specifications in Europe suggest that the Fabia will be available with either an 81kW/200Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, or a larger 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder – but engine tweaks for Australia are common within the Volkswagen Group locally due to this country’s high-sulphur fuel.

The turbo three-cylinder engine can be paired in Europe with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the larger 1.5-litre four-cylinder will be exclusively controlled by a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 2022 driving — The Australian ‘Launch Edition’ Monte Carlo will use a 110kW/250Nm turbo engine

What differentiates the Monte Carlo from a standard Fabia?

The Monte Carlo edition of the Fabia gains several aggressive visual cues over a standard Fabia. This includes the grille, rear diffusers, Skoda lettering and alloy wheels all being ‘blacked-out’. Alloy wheels range in size from 17-18-inches.

Inside, the Monte Carlo has sports seats, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, carbon-fibre effect trim on the dashboard and plenty of red and black design details throughout the cabin. LED ambient lighting is also included in the gradient.

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo interior 2022 — The Monte Carlo gets plenty of black and red contrast throughout the cabin

The Monte Carlo has been the first Fabia revealed so far to feature a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit – a customisable digital driver display that can position satellite navigation, trip information and music functions right in the eyeline of the driver.

Two infotainment systems are available on the Monte Carlo. The first is a Bolero system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen while the Amundsen system features a larger 9.2-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation and the Laura digital voice assistant.