This week, Škoda launched the all new Fabia supermini which is now based on the Audi A1 Sportback, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo platform. The fourth generation car will be launching in the UK next year and cost from around £13,500, which undercuts the Polo by around £2,000.

Despite being part of the VW Group for over twenty years, the Skoda has never made the Fabia use the same platform as the other superminis in the group, it has always used the PQ architecture since the very first Fabia in 1999. Now the new car is based on the MQB-A0 used on the Audi A1 Sportback, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo.

Skoda will put the new Fabia on sale in the UK starting early 2021, from £13,500 with an estate version due to come in 2023. The overall car is longer too, with 111mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, which means a larger boot up by 50 litres to 380 litres.

Skoda has brought the design of new Fabia more in line with the other models it has recently launchd too, such as the Kodiaq and Enyaq. This means slimmer headlights, which are now LED as standard for the firs time as well as a redesigned rear bumper with the SKODA name in large letters.

Inside, the new Fabia has been brought more upmarket with a fabric covered dashboard, LED ambient lighting and dual zone climate control. Skoda has also added the ability for the car to have an integrated SIM card to passengers can use the WiFi hotspot. In terms of infotainment screens, Skoda has three different sizes available, 6.2-inch, 8.2-inch and 9.0-inch all with DAB radio and surround sound. The availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto hasn’t been mentioned, but considering other VW Group models have this functionality, it would be surprising if it wasn’t added.

In terms of engines, Skoda has three versions, two 1.0-litre offerings and one 1.5-litre. The entry level 1.0-litre comes in 64bhp and 79bhp versions, both with a five-speed manual gearbox. The other 1.0-litre adds a turbo charger and has 108bhp, but has the option of a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG).

The highest model has a 1.5-litre engine, with is four cylinders – the other two are three cylinder. This model has 148bhp.