Skoda MissionL Concept unveiled

Skoda has unveiled the all-new MissionL concept at the Frankfurt motor show. It previews a crucial new model that will be key to the Czech firm’s ambitious growth plans when it enters production next year.

The new model will fill the large gap between the Fabia and Octavia (Laura in India) in Skoda’s current range. This five-door hatchback-cum-saloon is described by Skoda as a compact liftback (notchback).

The car will be sold in Europe, Russia and China, with a separate four-door version for India on sale too. Each market will get its own regionalised version of the car, which Skoda says will be one of the main contributors if it is to reach its annual worldwide sales target of 1.5 million units per year by 2018.

Many of MissionL’s key design features will be taken from the similarly sized VisionD concept from the Geneva motor show earlier this year. Autocar understands the concept is around 80 per cent production ready and is based on lengthened VW Polo mechanicals.

Skoda chairman Winfried Vahland says the MissionL shows exactly the direction our brand is going to take. Vahland also says the production version of MissionL will be followed by a new model every six months for up to the next three years.