Today is another day we can find you A-Ha (Take on Me, 1985)

“It’s around the next bend” is the voice of the man I picked up an hour ago. A bearded guy in a plaid shirt who looks like a lumberjack. But not. It turns out that as soon as he got into the car and I asked him where he was going, with my best smile, a smile that I forced myself to put on because I was willing to make my day, rather month or year better, at any cost, the man answered me , pulled out an old pistol and pointed it at me, “I’ll tell you.” It starts”. Waiting for that turn that won’t come down this road in the woods, I don’t know exactly where in Milwaukee, I think my mother would let me pass “it doesn’t look good” she would tell me “he needs the money and he would do anything” to get it …” But I’m poor, poor as rats, poor, as shown by the old Buick I drive, which has a lot of years, rust and rot. Like me. And I said to the guy, “I don’t have money,” because I’m not afraid of guns. My father had a mountain of guns in his trailer and pulled them out when he wanted to be heard. But over time, we stopped being afraid of the gun. Over time, my mother and I realized that a shot wouldn’t be the worst way to get out of the hole we were in. But it was my father who took the fast exit. For losing a bet, idiot.

And my mother followed shortly after. I lacked the courage, or perhaps I entertained an absurd hope that things would improve with the handful of dollars I found my parents had put aside to buy the farm, and that it was not enough for six months’ rent in the shack upstairs. bar. I was a hundred miles away from the trailer park and still walked past it every morning. And a few meters away, he picked up the guy. I can’t see his eyes, they are almost covered by a cap. He could be a hundred or twenty years old, his beard covers almost his entire face. He could be sleeping, but he’s still holding the gun. I know it’s loaded, after so many years… “Where are we going,” I say, my voice calm because I have nothing to lose. If I don’t run away or try to take his gun, it’s almost out of curiosity. Anyway, I’m in for a double shift at the bar if I manage to escape. Escape. How funny. Escape from what? Of my fifties? From my partners who left me and took all the money? Three times? From my arthritis that bleeds into my pain and the money I don’t have for medicine and treatment? “Now you’ll see,” the guy tells me in a tired voice. I’m more tired. Always. And the curve is coming. And after the bend the guy speaks: “The first thing you need to know is that I am your father’s brother. Your Uncle Ben. The sun peeks over the treetops.

Car manufacturers sometimes try to revive the sporty or adventurous image of some of their models with special versions, sometimes using suggestive names that can reinforce the image they are looking for by adding some aesthetic and equipment details. This is the case of the Škoda Fabia Monte Carlo series, which, on behalf of the legendary coastal city of the Principality of Monaco, wants to stimulate the image of one of the most emblematic stages of the World Rally Championship held in this place no less than since 1911.

The Fabia Monte Carlo series developed from the historic second place achieved in this rally in 1936 by drivers Zdeněk Pohl and Jaroslav Hausman behind the wheel of a Škoda Popular in the 1500 cubic centimeter category. It is not the only success of the brand in the World Rally Championship with different models, which is why the Czech brand continues to honor its record with these models with special aesthetics. A track record which, by the way, they do not refuse to extend. In our case, we got behind the wheel of a Fabia Monte Carlo with a 150 hp gasoline engine and DSG automatic transmission, the most powerful in the range.

old acquaintance

We have already had the opportunity to test this Škoda model in other versions, but the most attractive is undoubtedly the Montecarlo. On the outside, black details stand out, such as the bar that surrounds the grill, also in black. Likewise, black paint was also used to paint the mirror housing, windshield frame, bumper bar and (optionally) the roof to give this version a sportier look. In the gray color of the unit we had the opportunity to test, these black accents may not stand out as much as they would on a red or white body, but they are touches of sportiness that are noticeable.

Another striking detail is that the glasses are tinted as standard and add an extra touch of aggression to the car’s design. The 17-inch five-spoke wheels also feature black accents with faux carbon fiber detailing. Larger 18-inch wheels are also available as an option for this model. On the sides of the car, plates with the name of the variant are placed under the checkered flag, to make it clear that the name is a tribute, as we have already pointed out, to the Monte Carlo rally.

Inside there are also changes from the standard Fabia, the first thing that catches your eye are the seats. The front ones have a sportier and more enveloping design and the headrest is integrated into one piece. Their upholstery is also exclusive to the Monte Carlo variant with white stitching and a print with colored stripes on the backrest and seat. Apart from the looks, these seats provide improved lumbar support and slightly more cornering support than the standard ones, making them suitable for a slightly more dynamic ride.

Inside the car, other details attract attention, such as the pedals covered in metallic material in a sporty design or the dashboard inserts in imitation carbon fiber and red trim on the dashboard, on the doors and on the center console. The automatic transmission and handbrake handles are also made of imitation leather. The same material is used for the steering wheel with perforated ends and, again, a label at the bottom indicating the name of the variant of this Fabia model. The roof was upholstered in black to give the car a different look.

Sports details

An interesting detail is the red line that runs along the entire central part of the dashboard and even crosses the center of the round vents. A greater sense of spaciousness and light is provided by the sunroof of the unit we tested. The rest of the equipment is the same as the more expensive Fabia models, with a 9.2-inch infotainment screen and a 10-inch screen flanked by gauges for fuel level on one side and engine water temperature on the other.

As in the other Fabia models we tested, the rear seats are quite spacious for a car of its category and size. Here, the distinctive details of this variant are repeated with the same upholstery with colored bands and white stitching. However, we do not find the red details, for example, on the doors that are present on the front. As for the trunk, the same, 380 liters has not changed, again very good for its size, which will allow us to carry enough luggage for a trip for four people.

But you also need energy to travel, and this Monte Carlo seems well supplied. We have already tested the 150 TSI gasoline engine on other occasions, and the DSG transmission is a classic of the Volkswagen concern. With this configuration, this Škoda Fabia is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 8 seconds (almost two seconds less than the 110 horsepower version) and is able to maintain relatively good fuel consumption despite the increase in power compared to the less powerful engine , especially on the road, because in the city the three-cylinder is somewhat more austere.

A good answer

Behind the wheel, the combination of a 150-horsepower engine and a DSG transmission shows, on the one hand, quite fluidity and progressivity, and on the other, enough power for a joyful drive (although not exactly sporty, let’s be honest). As with other Fabias, driving comfort, including noise reduction, is at a good level despite the competitive price they offer. In the city, the DSG automatic transmission makes driving very relaxing, especially if we decide on quieter driving modes and don’t accelerate unnecessarily.

On the road, the engine’s power is more than adequate and the handling of the car in twisty terrain is very good, without being jittery or immediately responsive. It drives very safely under all circumstances and if we select the Sport driving mode, we can chain turns quite easily. On the highway, it is a car that responds well, only when immediate acceleration is needed or in terrain with a significant incline, the engine sounds, which affects comfort, and even then it will not be too annoying for a four-cylinder. .

Conclusions

This homage to the rally from Škoda could have been a model more similar to the RS brand versions with more radical elements and engines, but in this case the Czech brand decided to go for it, betting everything on the aesthetics and details it offers. Visually very attractive car, even if there are no differences in the mechanical part compared to other models. As is usual with the brand, these changes are just right and in no way reduce the versatility and practicality that Škoda is always able to provide to all its models.

We liked the aesthetic details, which are rather sparse on the outside, but on the inside they provide a sporty atmosphere that is not ostentatious, but convincing, even considering the subtle red lighting that was installed in this version. From our point of view, in order to keep this aesthetic commitment and test the wonderful seats with a sporty design, we will do best to choose the most powerful version, the 150 hp version, which allows a considerable amount of fun without really strong sensations worthy of the curves of the Monaco stage of the World Rally Championship.