I still remember how at the beginning of last summer we sat helplessly at the airport and looked for a solution to get to Monte Carlo in the evening, where Škoda held an international press drive of the Fabia version of the same name. It was the day before the start of summer vacation, and air transportation had once again collapsed under the hands of the managers. Instead of going to Monaco, I just had to turn around and go home disappointed because of the canceled flight.

I’m so sorry because this was supposed to be one of the most stylish press rides of the past year. The opportunity to see the streets of Monaco’s millionaire center and ride the nearby Col de Turini mountain pass, known from the famous Monte Carlo Rally, is not to be turned down. But when his initial plans fail, he is left with no choice but to create his own…

The fourth Škoda Fabia is one of the most significant recent innovations from Mladá Boleslav. The newest successor to the popular family was shown for the first time in August 2021, and although I’ve driven the new “factory” a few times, I’ll have to wait for the best until the launch of the most powerful engine and then the presentation of the sporty-stylish Monte Carlo variant.

And I had to find my own dedicated Rally Monte Carlo stage in the sleepy Central Bohemian district. There are ups and downs, fast and slow turns, close obstructions and dangerous conditions. The hairpin trio connected in the wet prairie, and the parts and shadows of the forest were covered with pure snow or mud. The only thing missing here is the iconic switch with a stone wall and concrete blocks to prevent falling into the abyss.

You must be thinking by now that I must be mad. After all, it’s not the Fabia RS, namely a very polished hot hatch. And you’re right, the Fabia Monte Carlo has sporty ambitions only visually, but with a more powerful engine and a sportier lowered chassis we can consider it a proper “warm hatch”, as the petrolhead community calls a weaker hot hatch.

The reality is that we will never see the new Fabia RS. And this is the main reason why we can consider the new Monte Carlo as a sportier top model portfolio. The Monte Carlo is just a top-of-the-line kit and won’t upgrade your Fabia with new, sportier technology, but of course it makes the most sense when combined with the best Škoda has to offer. Save the weaker three-cylinder 1.0 TSI for lower specs and reach the peak of the four-cylinder.

The four-cylinder Fabia is a different world. It is the ideal companion with which you can commute in the city, in the district and on the highway without having to worry about driving in the left lane. The 1.5 TSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol develops 150 horsepower (110 kW) and a peak of 250 newton meters. Like all modern turbos in normal cars, it is most powerful in the middle class, giving the most powerful Fabia a defined dynamic.

In the language of official technical parameters, this means that it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and can accelerate to a maximum speed of 225 km/h. But more important in life is the incredible feeling when you need to overtake a slower car on a circuit and the next time you can do it with confidence without pushing three liters. And the 15-liter Fabia can even do that with a pleasing consumption – realistically around 6 to 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers with a more dynamic riding style. He can easily drive for less.

The only real disappointment is that, unlike the larger Scala with its fifteen-seat engine, you can’t unfortunately order the most powerful Fabia with a six-speed manual. The only gearbox is the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic DSG, which, while it takes away a bit of the fun on twisty circuits, also makes everyday life with the car a lot more enjoyable.

After all, this is the mission of the entire car, which in its interior offers the ideal compromise between advanced technology and practicality. Climate control combines traditional panels and touchscreens, and the auto selector has a mechanical linkage, as newer drive-by-wire selectors are cumbersome to hook up to the smallest variants of the MQB platform.

The sporty impression of the Monte Carlo top is reinforced by a more stylish interior with richer standard equipment. At the base are height-adjustable sports seats, a sporty three-spoke multi-function steering wheel (with or without shift paddles, according to your preference) or aluminum pedal covers. There are also traditional red elements and carbon decorations. And distinctive sporty styling can also be found on the outside – specifically, the special front bumper with large intake openings, the rear bumper with dummy diffuser, and the hidden spoiler on the fifth door follows the contrasting black roof.

With that said, the latest Monte Carlo confirms that it is still a great choice for the individualist who wants a more stylish look and a sportier nature, without having to sacrifice anything in terms of everyday practicality. And it’s more expensive? Customers don’t mind this, as they are happy to pay extra for the difference. More important to them is the incredible feeling that with Monte Carlo you can clearly tell at first glance that it is the best.

The new Škoda Fabia was in a Monte Carlo variant with a basic turbocharged 1.0 TSI three-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower (81 kW) and a six-speed manual starting at CZK 499,900. For the seven-speed DSG, you’ll pay an extra CZK 40,000 for three cylinders. The top engine with a 1.5 TSI four-cylinder and a dual-clutch automatic costs CZK 579,900.