Skoda planning two new models

Czech carmaker Skoda has followed its outing at this year's Geneva Motor Show with news that it is planning two all-new models for 2012.

With the Superb pulling its weight in the large segment, Skoda says both new models will be pointed at the smaller end of the scale.

The first of the new Skoda cars will be a sub-light 'city car', and although the Volkswagen-owned brand hasn't revealed any further details, it is expected that the new model will be based on the diminutive Volkswagen Up! car.

"This car is our answer to the increasingly strong demand for small cars with low fuel consumption and affordable costs of operation and offers a new sales potential in Europe for us," Skoda Chairman Winfried Vahland said.

Engines for the city car will be similarly small, including a 1.0 and 1.2 litre petrol engines and a 1.2 litre diesel. An electric version is also not out of the question, with the Up! platform already engineered for work as an EV.

The new city car is expected to arrive later this year.

In 2012, Skoda will launch its second all-new model in the form of a compact car designed to squeeze between the European-market Fabia (which Skoda hopes to bring to Australia at some point, if only in RS form) and the larger Octavia.

Skoda has revealed even less about this model, but it is likely that it will draw more than a few design cues from the stylish VisionD concept revealed at Geneva earlier this month.

According to Skoda, the new compact car will be a high-volume model, developed to practical and spacious while offering an "outstanding price to value ratio."

Expect both cars to wear Skoda's new logo, revealed alongside the VisionD at Geneva.