Skoda's new Fabia super-mini has broken cover this week, months ahead of its world debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. Gone are the subdued, inoffensive looks of the current car, replaced by a face and sharpness of line shared with the Skoda Roomster and even some detailing around the rear that is reminiscent of the Suzuki Swift.

Details of seven engine options have been released:

- 1.2-litre petrol with either 60bhp or 70bhp
- 1.4-litre 16-valve petrol with 85bhp
- 1.6-litre 16-valve petrol with 105bhp
- 1.4-litre TDI with either 70bhp or 80bhp
- 1.9-litre TDI with 105bhp

For the first time in the Fabia, an automatic version will be available, with a Tiptronic-style manual gear selection option only available on the 1.6-litre petrol model for the moment.

At the time of writing, there has been no mention of a replacement for the vRS diesel hot hatch, though we do expect Skoda to replace it with both diesel and petrol vRS derivatives in 2008, following the introduction of an estate version.

Shane O' Donoghue - 15 Dec 2006