SKODA is launching a new addition to the Octavia estate range -the four-wheel drive Scout. The Scout features a robust, muscular appearance combined with a 4x4 system.

It will be offered with two powerful engines, the 2.0-litre FSI 150 horsepower petrol and the 2.0-litre TDI PD 140bhp diesel.

Both come with the second generation of the Haldex clutch that allows up to 98 per cent of power to be transferred between the front and rear wheels.

Pricing for the Skoda Octavia Scout starts at £17,585 for the 2.0-litre FSI 150bhp and increases to £19,490 for the 2.0-litre TDI PD 140bhp. People can place their orders for the new Skoda Octavia Scout from the middle of March, with the first deliveries expected at the start of April.

Standard equipment includes twin chrome exhausts, 17-inch Proteus' alloy wheels, nets in the boot, dual-zone air conditioning, electronic stability program, headlight washers, rear parking sensors, cruise control and aluminium pedals.

The Scout's rugged personality is accentuated by increased ground clearance (17mm higher than the existing 4x4 model), aluminium protective undertrays front and rear, chunky protective body mouldings and ESP with Hill Hold Control.

The launch of Scout this year should help the Octavia repeat the sales success it experienced in 2006.

Almost 17,900 were sold in the UK last year - a figure that contributed greatly to Skoda's overall record-breaking UK sales of 39,000 vehicles.

This bonanza saw the firm's UK market share increase to 1.7 per cent. Overall sales were up eight per cent on the previous year, despite the wider UK new car market seeing a downturn of five per cent.