This is the new Skoda Octavia, which officially debuts at Geneva in March, writes Brian Byrne.
We'll be driving it in a couple of weeks and will give you some first impressions, but we already know the nameplate that's the most popular in the brand's stable will be bigger than the outgoing model.
That's because the new compact Rapid more properly fills the C segment, and the Octavia now moves further towards the medium size car. But it is in fact still between segments.
The new version also comes with a longer wheelbase, thus increasing the space inside. It is built on the same platform as the new Golf, the new A3 and the latest SEAT Leon.
The engines range includes four petrol and four diesels, though we don't yet know what will be the irish lineup. But a 1.6 diesel is claimed to offer CO2 emissions of 89g/km.
In line with industry practice, Skoda has managed to increases size and still cut weight, and the new car weights 102kg less than the current version.
A wagon version is planned for launch in the summer.
More than four in ten Skodas sold are Octavias.
