Skoda VisionS concept previews new large SUV

The VisionS concept has been previewed for the first time with a series of official design sketches, prior to the model's official debut at the next month.

Offering a close preview of , the concept will come with three rows of seats offering space for six passengers and their luggage. The VisionS features a prominent Skoda grille at the front with raked back headlights, a large lower grille with side air intakes and a long bonnet. The roofline dips towards the rear, ending in a lip spoiler. Dual rear exhausts also feature.

The car's styling is also in line with 2014's , which ushered in a new design language for the brand.

The VisionS is 4700mm long by 1910mm wide, with a height of 1680mm, making it longer, wider and lower than the . In production form, Skoda’s SUV will be pitched as an upmarket rival to the Sorento and its sister model, .

Although nothing is official at this stage, Skoda’s SUV, which is expected to take the Kodiaq name for production, should cost from around £24,000 when it goes on sale in the UK early next year. That price neatly undercuts its rivals from Kia and Hyundai, which start at £28,795 and £31,845 respectively.

The new SUV will be based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, and will share most of its underpinnings with Volkswagen’s own , which is due to be launched later this year.

Power will come from four-cylinder engines already offered in the new Superb, with a 1.6-litre turbodiesel forming the base engine. A diesel-electric hybrid version will also be offered, and four-wheel drive will be optional on most models.

Beyond the launch of its first SUV, Skoda is already planning a more to join the range soon after the full-size version goes on sale. That car will be followed by a sportier model with tweaked styling, and the SUV family will be completed by the new , which is due to go on sale in 2018.

In a statement accompanying these images, Skoda said: "Over recent years Skoda has completely renewed its model range and the next phase will involve broadening the range of models in the SUV segment."