Skoda is to replace the Fabia's current 1.2-litre, four cylinder engine with a new 1-litre, three cylinder TSI unit.

The new engine offers less cylinder capacity, and more power. The output of the standard Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI is 95 PS, while the more powerful version delivers 110 PS with an improved torque figure of 200 Nm (previously 175 Nm).

Downsizing offers another advantage as fuel consumption has been cut by up to six per cent. One reason for this is the reduced weight of the three-cylinder engine concept with a subsequent reduction in inertial forces and a more efficient oil pump.

The figures for the 95 PS hatchback and estate have improved from 61.4- to 65.7 mpg  with CO2 emissions down from 105– to 99 g/km.

In the manual gearbox versions of the 110 PS hatchback and estate, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are now 64.2 mpg and 101 g/km respectively, while the figures for the DSG-transmission versions are 62.8 mpg and 104 g/km.

The revised Skoda Fabia and Fabia Estate will be introduced to the public for the first time at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show (7-19 March).