What's the news?

Skoda's revitalisation of its model range continues with a new edition of the 'soft-road' Octavia estate, known as the Octavia Scout. This jacked-up wagon will have its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Exterior

Black bumpers fore and aft with silver-coloured scuff plates mark out the Scout, while there's a wide air intake at the front and 'sharply-embossed' fog lights. Black trim around the wheelarches and along the doors are also in evidence, while the Octavia Scout rides 33mm higher than its standard sibling. There are chunky 17-inch alloys as standard, too.

Interior

A three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel and 'attractive features, designed especially for the Scout' are promised inside. No word as yet as to precisely what said features will be - although presumably a hose-down rubber floor is out of the question.

Mechanicals

Taking inspiration from the recently-revised Yeti Outdoor, the Octavia Scout has larger approach/departure angles to cope with steeper terrain, but that wouldn't be any good on its own. Luckily, it comes with the latest Haldex-5 all-wheel drive technology to ensure it can keep going in the rough stuff. There's a choice of two diesel engines and one petrol, with these powertrains said to be 20 per cent more economical than the preceding Scout model.

Anything else?

The old Scout was a pretty good effort at the high-riding, 4x4 estate format and - true to Skoda form - was blindingly good value too. We expect the new one to be even more compelling once prices and full specifications are revealed later this year.