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The second-generation Skoda Fabia has been on the market for a good seven years, so it's high time for a replacement. And Skoda is clearly hard at work on one, as these pictures from our European spies show prototypes of a third-gen model almost undisguised.

The photos show a minimalist, sharply-designed supermini that takes its angular design cues from recently-launched siblings such as the Octavia and the Rapid. The new look is a world away from the cute and cuddly predecessor, although it appears to keep the optional two-tone paint schemes of the outgoing model.

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The new Fabia will reportedly ditch the Volkswagen Group's modular MQB architecture, instead riding on a revised version of the current car's PQ25 platform. The car will include the usual range of VW engines shared with the Polo, although a hot vRS model has apparently already been confirmed to be off the cards due to poor demand.

The third-generation Skoda Fabia is expected to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October ahead of its market introduction at the end of the year.