Familiar 1.5-litre achieves more pep in celebration special, while regular edition drops capacity and a cylinder.

FOUR years on from introduction, the Fabia Monte Carlo - the sole version of Skoda’s smallest hatch sold here - has become two disparate common look choices.

Skoda New Zealand has announced arrival of a special edition of the five-seater five-door that re-sets the car’s pricing to a higher level held by any previous Fabia.

The Fabia 130 is a Monte Carlo with extra styling pizzazz and more fizz under the bonnet.

It’s a birthday gift for itself celebrating this brand having hit its 130th year of existence.

That period precludes the car-making involvement and counts when it began as a bicycle and motorcycle repair manufacturing shop ,called Laurin and Klement.

In the 130 version, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder that has provisioned here since 2022 delivers with 130kW power, a 20kW gain over the engine as we’ve known it. Torque remains unaltered at 250Nm. It continues as a front-drive product, with seven speed DSG.

Top speed lifts from 202kmh to 228kmh and the 0-100kmh time drops from 9.7 seconds to 7.4s. Distinguishing special treatments include a step up from 17 inch to 18 inch alloys, special emblems, bespoke sill plates, a small spoiler on the boot and more heavily-bolstered sports seats.

It sits 11mm lower, with ground clearance of 131mm, runs 215/40 rubber.

All the enhancements are referencing to Skoda's rich and successful motorsport heritage, which includes success in NZ national rally championship.

The make promises this version delivers better handling and has driving modes and assistants “adapted to sharper driving.”

And the price?

Yes, that also lifts. This edition comes in for $54,000. When the 1.5-litre Monte Carlo landed, it presented at $39,990, then ramped into the early $40k zone.

You can still buy a Monte Carlo in that price range. But now it has downgraded, to a 1.0-litre three-cylinder making 85kW and 200Nm. Hence why it’s somewhat slower off the mark.

What makes the 1.5 more of a ripper is that it has been tended to by Skoda’s technical department, with changes to the intake plenum and rockers. They say the engine makes more power from 3500rpm, at the peak comes in between 5750-6000rpm. Maximum torque is between 1500-4000rpm.