New Skoda Fabia spied

The new Skoda Fabia is due in 2015 and these are the best pictures yet of the all-new hatchback

This is our first look at the new Skoda Fabia in its own skin. Previously, we’ve seen spy shots of the new hatchback wearing the body of its VW Polo sister car but now we can see the new Fabia starting to take shape. We’re expecting an official reveal at the Paris Motor Show in October ahead of sales kicking off early next year.

Completely wrapped and hidden from preying eyes, it’s difficult to make out distinctive styling features and lines on the new hatch, but the trademark Skoda grille has been carried over. It also appears to be marginally wider and lower than the current model, giving it a sportier stance.

While we may not be able to pick out distinguishing features, we know the new Skoda Fabia will take on a whole new look but stay fairly compact. Design cues from the Vision D concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2011 are expected to be adopted by the showroom model. Chief Designer Jozef Kaban revealed the Fabia will be the most extrovert Skoda yet, with a wide front grille, angular headlights and LED tail-lamps.

With Skoda being part of the VW Group, initial reports suggested the hatchback would be based on the versatile MQB platform, which underpins a whole host a models from Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda. We now know the Fabia will use a modified version of the current PQ architecture to help reduce costs.

The engine range is also likely to be overhauled, with various powertrains from the new VW Polo expected to be made available. Prices will be announced closer to launch but the all-new model is likely to cost a little more than the £9,945 price tag of the current Fabia.