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Spyshots: 2015 Skoda Roomster MPV Will Be Touran-Sized

These are the very first photos of what will be the next generation Roomster MPV from Skoda and they show a radical departure from the current model. The prototype is clearly based on the Volkswagen Touran and lacks the Fabia-like design language. This is just the first of many changes that will basically make it a totally different type of car.
2015 Skoda Roomster 9 photos
Photo: CarPix
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Currently a 4,214mm-long 5-door, the Roomster could be classed as a stretched supermini, a B-segment car with exaggerated interior space. Rivals like the Clio Estate and Honda Jazz Shuttle directly compete with it in every category. The Roomster 2 will be different – a C-segment MPV.

In all likelihood, the MQB modular toolkit is being put to good use in the development of this car. This will keep the kilos at bay while Skoda engineers try to make everything bigger and better. How much bigger? Well the current Touran measures 4,405mm from bumper to bumper, so the Roomster will go from C3 Picasso rival to C4 Picasso rival.

Speaking of the French rivals, a similar strategy will be used with the next Czech MPV. A compact model we see being tested here will come out in 2015, followed the next year by an XXL version similar to the Grand C4 Picasso.

A Bit of History

The Mk1 Roomster made its debut in 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. Codenamed Typ 5J, it's built on the PQ34 platform, shared with the first Audi TT, A3 and Golf 4. It's assembled at the Kvasiny factory in the Czech republic and competes with both MPVs and some commercial vehicles turned leisure vans, like the Caddy.

The Touran, on the other hand, is built on the newer PQ35 platform shared with the Golf 6. So there's quite a bit of generation gap. Besides that, it comes with every parking sensor, LED accent and navigation screen as a Golf, so it's got a more premium feel. Volkswagen is also working on a replacement for its MPV. A prototype was first spotted last week and it's part of the same test convoy as the Roomster.

The Bigger Picture

By 2018, Skoda hopes to sell 1.5 million cars per year. It's already nearing the million sales mark, but a few more models will have to be added in key volume niches. In the coming months, the new Fabia 3 will be revealed and should have a Combi estate version along with it.

The Yeti is also due for a replacement and will gain a bigger 7-seater brother that's rumored to be MQB-based and called the Snowman. Both SUVs are rumored to receive a plug-in hybrid version, powered by combined 1.4-liter TSI and electric motor delivering an output of over 200 hp and fuel consumption under 4 liters per 100 kilometers. Following the tremendous success of the current model, the Superb flagship is also going to be replaced within the next two years.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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