THE second-generation of Skoda's large Kodiaq SUV will be on the road in the next few months and priced from £36,645.

As the Czech car maker also revealed it had started production of the latest version of its Octavia, it announced the new Kodiaq will be available with a choice of engines including a plug-in hybrid.

So far more than 850,000 examples of the first-generation model have been delivered worldwide with the UK being the brand's second-biggest market where more than 55,000 Kodiaq models have found homes since its launch.

The new Kodiaq with be available with five drivetrain choices, including the plug-in hybrid which will have an all-electric driving range of more than 62 miles and rapid DC charging.

The PHEV drivetrain will be available with five-seater variants of both trim grades in the new range and although prices have still to be announced Skoda says the combustion engine models will top out from £46,225 for a 2.0-litre, seven-seat diesel model.

There will be a choice from five- and seven-seater models, with two trim grades, SE and SE L available from launch.

A new SportLine variant will join the line-up later in the year.

The new Kodiaq features a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, a 13-inch freestanding infotainment screen with satellite navigation and wireless charging with cooling functionality for two smartphones.

It is automatic only with a shift-by-wire gear selector that moves to the steering column, freeing up space in the central console area.

The entry-level 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150ps features a mild hybrid petrol set up to boost efficiency while a higher output 2.0 TSI 204ps engine comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

Diesel customers can choose between a 2.0 TDI unit that develops 150ps and priced from £38,945, and a more powerful version of the same engine that generates 193ps and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

Seven-seat models are priced from £40,205.