Škoda Auto is going to present the successor to the Fabia Combi at this year's International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany.

Compared with the existing model, the outside dimensions of the new vehicle have grown. The new Fabia Combi is 7 mm longer and 46 mm higher. The length, width and height (4,239 mm, 1,642 mm and 1,498 mm, respectively) constitute a solid base for the vehicle's roomy interior.

The boot has grown by 54 litres and is 480 litres now. With the rear seats folded flat, the total volume of the luggage compartment is 1,460 litres, 235 litres more than in the previous model.

The engine portfolio is made up of three petrol units (1.2 12V HTP/51 kW, 1.4 16V/63 kW and 1.6 16V/77 kW) and three diesel units (1.4 TDI PD/51 kW, 1.4 TDI PD/59 kW and 1.9 TDI PD/77 kW), all of them with five-speed transmissions.

The 1.6 16V/77 kW version can be optionally equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is available for the two stronger diesel engines – 1.4 TDI PD/59 kW and 1.9 TDI PD/77 kW.

Besides its fresh design that corresponds with that of the hatchback model, the new vehicle offers a number of items designed to enhance convenience and comfort. The key strengths include enough room for passengers sitting in the rear seats, a roomy boot (480 l/1,460 l), many storage trays, boxes, etc., high-quality materials in the vehicle's interior and the boot roller shutter whose control system is identical with that in the Octavia Combi.

Škoda Auto has sold over 630,000 first-generation Fabia Combis worldwide so far, and is going to continue producing this model at least until the end of 2007.