Skoda shows off Karoq's Audi-style virtual cockpit

Skoda has announced its forthcoming Karoq SUV will come with a fully customisable digital instrument panel.

Ahead of its reveal at next month's Frankfurt motor show, Skoda has released a single picture of the Karoq's virtual cockpit dashboard, but hasn't confirmed whether the full digital display will be standard across the range or an optional extra.

The all-new compact SUV will be the first Skoda to offer the Volkswagen Group technology.

Offering a 'Classic', 'Digital', 'Infoprofile' and 'Reduced' layout, the driver can scroll through the different displays and select a preference.

As well as customising the main display, drivers can also select which area of the panel (left, right or central) to display the audio, phone or assistance information.

The most conventional 'Classic' layout is said to present both the speedo and rev counter as round dials to the right and left of the display, with a large area in between which can be configured to include a satellite navigation map.

In the 'Digital' layout, the navigation map switches to full-size across the dash with smaller displays for the speedo and other information.

For the 'Infoprofile' format, a large display in the centre is boosted by additional info to the left or right which can include route guidance, gear selection, traffic sign detection or total driving time.

Finally, the 'Reduced' layout shows just two large customisable displays which can indicate either the current speed or the distance remaining. If route guidance is activated, a simple navigation arrow will be displayed.

On sale in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year, the Karoq is expected to launch in Australia from early 2018.

We already know the all-new replacement for the current Yeti is significantly larger, measuring in 150mm longer and 50mm wider.

Those increased dimensions result from the all-new Karoq sharing the same Volkswagen Group MQB platform as the Golf and Tiguan SUV.

According to Skoda, this liberates more passenger space inside and provides for a huge 512-litre boot.

Under the bonnet, the Karoq -- which takes plenty of design cues from its larger brother, the Kodiaq -- will be available with two petrol and three diesel engines, starting with an 85kW turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder.

The Karoq is set to be available in both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and range-topping models will come with a 140kW 2.0-litre diesel combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Boosting some off-road ability as standard, Skoda will offer the Karoq with an optional Rough Road package which incudes extra underbody armour.

Adaptive dampers will also be optional, along with a Driver Mode select system.

More information will flow following the Skoda Karoq’s public debut in Frankfurt.