New Fabia: more details

OK, we're not going to see this one on the road until early next year, but more details of Skoda's new Fabia have been released in advance of its debut at the Paris Motor Show, writes Brian Byrne.

With styling details from the Vision C shown at Geneva, the new Skoda supermini will feature a fairly straightforward design, the key impressions coming from some contour on the bonnet, chrome on the current grille theme, and a strong waistline to give it perceived length and strength.

The new Fabia will be 40kg lighter in its base form than the current car, with the startoff engine being a 1.0 3-pot in two power options. Four-cylinder 1.2s will also be available. But there's not going to be a hot vRS this time, as not enough people went for it in the current car. A Greenline 1.4 TDI will have CO2 emissions of 82g/km.

The new Fabia is wider and lower than the current model, with a longer wheelbase incorporated into a car of the same length as before.

An estate variant will add extra luggage space to the hatchback, which itself will be able to carry more stuff than does the current car.