Kicking off with the...
Kicking off with the entry-level 116i, the range continues with the SE and Sport models, which both cost í‚á£17,640.
This is Skoda"s new...
This is Skoda"s new flagship, which the firm is expected to introduce at the expense of not only its big Superb, but the Octavia, too. It will combine the appeal of the pair into one motor.
Although the newcomer has yet to be given a name, it"s thought the recent Skoda Tudor concept could provide some clues. Longer and wider than the Octavia but smaller than the Superb, the Czech offering is expected to go on sale in 2008.
It"s hoped the changes will not only allow the Skoda to offer closer competition to its family hatchback rivals, but meet some of the criticisms aimed at the bigger Superb. Our spy shot in this week"s mag shows a patchwork of panels on a test car that has been lengthened, almost certainly to test the viability of an extended top-end Skoda.
The car takes its design inspiration from the recent Roomster concept, itself set to debut as a production car (Issue 889) at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. That means the new saloon gets big, oval lights, a more rounded nose and curving flanks.
It"s likely the car will take advantage of the latest VW Group powerplants, including the 1.4-litre TSI turbo and supercharged petrol engine, as well as a new family of efficient diesels.
Prices are still to be confirmed, but it"s thought the newcomer is likely to fall somewhere between the current Octavia and Superb models and offer great value for money. That means entry-level variants will come in at ÷£11,500, while high-performance vRS-badged machines could start at around ÷£16,500.