Škoda Roomster

The curve of the front screen, blending without visual interruption thanks to glossy black A-pillars into the distinctively shaped windows of the front doors, does convey a hint of Learjet cockpit glass. And the rear daylight opening, side on, could almost be a new-shape lens by Ray-Ban.

But despite distinctly upmarket sources of inspiration, the Roomster is all about versatility and practicality. And it's this unlikely combination that makes it the more intriguing of the two models which will go on sale with the Australian relaunch of the Skoda brand in October. While the Octavia will undoubtedly sell in larger numbers, it's neither as new or as interesting as the Roomster.

Skoda people are quite proud of the Roomster, which went on sale in Europe in June last year. The pride is mainly because the car was their idea, rather than something dreamed up by Volkswagen, which became 100 percent owner of the Czech brand in 2000.

VW first got involved with Skoda in '91, having reached agreement on a joint venture with the state-owned car manufacturer only months after Czechoslovakia's 'Velvet Revolution' bought an end to more than 40 years of Communist rule in '89. It was VW's promise that it would not kill the Skoda brand that made its proposal a winner over rival bidder Renault.

Skoda under VW initially had to concentrate on lifting both quality and production, and then consolidating its gains, but the brand has more recently been able to also increase its design and engineering horsepower, too. The Roomster's genesis can be traced to a design study in '01. Skoda took its proposal to the VW board, which gave the program the green light in early '02. As well as approving the basic design and dimensions, VW executives also bought Skoda's idea for a modular architecture to serve as the basis for the Roomster.

The Roomster does resemble the boxy five-seat MPVs based on small delivery vans like the Renault Kangoo, Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo, but the Skoda is better in a couple of important ways. Where all the French cars betray their light commercial vehicle origins, with sliding rear doors and very basic interiors, the Roomster has hinged rear doors and an interior where the design doesn't stop at the front seat backrests.

From instrument dash to tailgate, the Skoda's interior has been thoughtfully conceived and artfully executed. The instrument panel is attractive and high quality, the steering wheel adjustable for both height and reach, and the front seats well proportioned and comfortable.

But it's in the rear that the Roomster is really smart. The 40:20:40 split rear seat can be moved through 150mm of fore-aft travel. The light centre section can be easily removed and the outboard seats moved inwards, for super spacious four-passenger seating. Or all three rear-seat sections can be removed to create a super-roomy two-seat van. Many further variations, such as a three-seat configuration, are also possible. Cargo capacity varies from a minimum 450 litres to a rear-seat-out 1780 litres.

Visibility from the rear seats is excellent. They're mounted 46mm higher than the front seats, so adults have a good view ahead. The deep, rear windows also give children a much better view to the side than a typical car.

And the Roomster is not a bad thing to drive, either. The Skoda's suspension delivers a comfortable, quiet ride, probably because Czech Republic roads are almost as awful as Australia's. Handling is fine, with decent steering, cornering and braking, and the all-round level of refinement is impressive.

For Australia, the Roomster will launch with a 77kW 1.6-litre petrol engine, teamed with five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions, plus a five-speed, manual-only 77kW turbo diesel. The petrol engine is adequate rather than exciting, which is in keeping with the Roomster's role. Both manual and automatic transmissions are very good. The diesel's appeal will increase when the six-speed DSG version arrives to supplement the manual some time after launch.

Pricing will not be announced until right before the Roomster goes on sale in October, but the petrol manual version should land at around $26,000. Add more for the automatic, and more again for the turbo-diesel variant. It's promised the Roomster will be fully equipped, with the only major options likely to be a large, fixed glass sunroof (with internal sunshade) and sat-nav.

A little bit novel, big on practicality, affordable, and well equipped, the jet-and-specs-inspired Roomster deserves to earn Skoda a reasonably warm welcome back to Australia.