(Wed 24 Feb 10)

Skoda has revised the front-end styling of the Fabia and Roomster, and will formally unveil the new design at the Geneva Show. The radiator grille and headlights are significantly different from those of the current cars, and Skoda reckons this makes them both look "more confident, mature and expressive".

There are unseen changes too, most of them again being at the front. In particular, there is a new engine line-up: the Fabia has a choice of 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engines with outputs of 60bhp and 70bhp, along with 80bhp and 105bhp versions of the 1.2 TSI petrol turbo, plus a 1.6-litre turbo diesel in 90bhp and 105bhp forms. Manual transmission is standard on all models, though the 105bhp 1.2 TSI is also available with the Volkswagen Group's seven-speed twin-clutch semi-automatic DSG gearbox.

Much the same applies to the larger Roomster, except that the 60bhp 1.2 petrol engine isn't included in the list. Prices for both models have yet to be confirmed.

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