Skoda unveils Ford Focus rival 06 | 09 | 2011

IT MAY NOT BE the most flattering pic, but we think this is a car you'd better get used to seeing; it's the new Skoda concept which is gearing up to go head-to-head with the Ford Focus.

Tentatively named Lauretta — but currently titled MissionL (yes, we don't think the name's too clever either!) — the new Skoda will fill the large gap between the Fabia and Octavia in the Czech manufacturer's current range.

Similar in dimensions to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, the new Skoda will be a five-door hatchback-come-saloon; Skoda actually labels the design of the car as a “compact liftback design”.

Set to be sold in this form across Europe, Russia and China, a separate four-door version for India will be on-sale by the end of the year.

Read our roadtest of the Skoda Superb Estate

The MissionL, which will be officially unveiled at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, is understood to be based on lengthened VW Polo mechanicals. It's also been whispered the concept is around 80% production ready.

When the MissionL does finally make it to production, Skoda chairman Winfried Vahland has stated the car will be followed by a new model every six months for up to the next three years.

It's clear then that Skoda is poised to launch a major expansion in its strengthening bid to capture a bigger slice of the global car market.

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Mark Stephens