Skoda revealed the Roomster concept car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and the Czech company was adamant at the time that the concept bore no relation to any future production car, but instead was a test bed for new design and interior flexibility ideas. Roll forward three years to the Geneva Show and we are presented with an all-new range of Skoda cars called Roomster...

It turns out that public reaction to the 2003 concept car was so good that Skoda could not ignore it. The Roomster is now a reality and it had better live up to its name. Externally, the new Skoda is quite compact, with an overall length of just 4205mm (sitting between the Fiesta and Focus), yet a remarkably spacious, and more importantly, spacious feeling interior.

Slick exterior styling and likely value-for-money aside, the reason the Roomster exists is to create flexible space for families. At the centre of this goal is a new 'VarioFlex' seating system. This incorporates either four or five seat configurations, raised rear seating for better visibility and rear seats that fold, tilt, slide forward, back and laterally and may also be completely removed. Trying to capture some of the lifestyle market, Skoda will also sell tailor-made holders for sports equipment.

Direct rivals are few and far between, with the French manufacturers Peugeot and Citroen both producing similar offerings, but with less refinement and style. Skoda could be onto a winner here.

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