THIS is next year's new generation Skoda Octavia - as envisaged by the Czech maker's designers.

It looks sleeker, lower and more coupe-like than before - but the stylised lines are likely to be less pronounced when the car is revealed in the metal next month.

Although the design sketches show what the company calls a "flowing silhouette marked by a coupé-like roofline," the finished hatchback is likely to put the emphasis on practicality rather than sportiness and Skoda promises "a very generous amount of interior space."

There will, however, be a distinctive new front section, larger wheels and tail lights with crystalline elements while the new, fourth generation of the company's top-selling car will join the Scala and Superb in having the Skoda name spread across the lower edge of the rear hatch in place of the company's traditional round badge.