Review of the new Skoda Fabia GreenLine II

How far are you willing to go to help save the planet? There's a myriad of measures open to us from reusing supermarket carrier bags and recycling glass bottles to erecting a 40ft wind turbine in your back garden and taking-in orphan polar bears. Somewhere in between these extremes is the Skoda Fabia GreenLine.

GreenLine is the name assigned to Skoda's most environmentally-friendly vehicles, models that have been on the receiving end of specialist modifications to boost their efficiency and limit their environmental impact. The aim is to provide a greener option for buyers with none of the inconvenience that can come with many of the environmental choices that are open to us.

This is the second generation Fabia GreenLine. The first had 1.4-litre diesel power but this model is based around the more advanced 1.2 TDI common-rail injection engine. It's a three-cylinder unit with 75bhp at its disposal that promises acceptable performance but nothing overly dramatic.

Supplementing the engine's environmental credentials are a range of features designed to improve economy and emissions. First up is a gear change indicator which recommends the best gear for the driver to engage in any given scenario. There's also a stop-start system that cuts the engine when the car is stationary to save fuel. This is engaged when the car is in neutral and the clutch is raised, the engine restarting automatically when the clutch is depressed again.

An energy recuperation system is constantly at work in the background, recapturing kinetic energy that would have been lost when this Fabia is braking or coasting and using it to recharge the battery. Finally, the GreenLine is fitted with low rolling resistance tyres which help reduce the amount of work the engine has to do in getting the car moving.

"It relies on sensible engineering and advanced technology to realise meaningful economy and emissions benefits"

The Fabia GreenLine's simple lines aren't going to win many beauty contests against the shapelier superminis but it does have that 'floating roof' effect courtesy of the blacked-out pillars. The latest facelifted models also feature a reworked grille and larger headlights what work to widen the car visually for a more dynamic stance.

There's a good amount of space inside the Fabia, particularly for rear seat passengers. The materials aren't quite up to the standards set in Volkswagen products but the similarities in the design are easy to spot and the same robust build quality can be seen throughout. Inside and out, the Fabia's design keeps it simple, which is a big part of the car's appeal.

In the estate bodystyle, the extended dimensions have helped Skoda engineers achieve a 480-litre boot capacity with the seats up. Fold the 60/40 split rear seats flat (a less than straightforward operation that involves removing the headrests) and there's an Albert Hall-esque 1,460 litres.

The GreenLine is available in Estate guise and positioned in the middle of the Fabia range in terms of specification. Despite the success of the Fabia, Skoda still recognises the limits of its badge equity and the Fabia is priced realistically while embracing the need to nudge the brand incrementally upmarket.

Equipment levels were never the Fabia's strong point, relying instead on solid no-nonsense build quality. This time round there are items like electronically-controlled Climatronic air-conditioning and an MP3/iPod compatible stereo but if you go to your Skoda dealer expecting to be granted a view of the state-of-the-art in small car electronics, you're likely to be disappointed. Unimpeachable build quality, on the other hand, you can take for granted.

With the Fabia GreenLine, things are less cut and dried than with other variants in the range. For a start, there's the perceived value placed in its green credentials, which isn't easy to put a number to. What is a little easier to quantify is the economy figure of nearly 83mpg on the combined cycle which, if you're into comparisons, is good enough to put the car on a par with the most efficient models on the market.

Where the GreenLine also scores is in its carbon dioxide emissions. It's rated at 89g/km which makes it extremely tax-efficient for private buyers and company car users. The low Insurance grouping also spells minuscule premiums.

If you're the sort who cares about the environment but doesn't feel the need to shout it from the rooftops, the Skoda Fabia GreenLine is going to appeal. It relies on sensible engineering and advanced technology to realise meaningful economy and emissions benefits, it's not showy and it's keenly priced. That combination of attractions alone would be enough to seal it for most, but the Fabia has a lot of other assets to call upon too.

In the final assessment, the GreenLine's 89g/km emissions figure and 83mpg combined fuel economy is going to be the clincher for many. It's cheap to buy, cheap to run and anything but cheap in the way the concept is executed. Responsible motoring needn't rely on wacky solutions. Skoda, as ever, falls back on solid pragmatism to get the job done.

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