A BIG Yeti figures in Skoda’s plans for future models plans running to 2018 with Business Car Manager. In a surprisingly open conversation with contacts at Skoda, we were shown images of important launches over the next four years for SME buyers and given key information on them.

SUVs are key to Skoda’s future, figuring heavily in the Czech manufacturer’s plans and the next big Skoda launch comes in early 2017, with the arrival of the Yeti’s big brother the – as yet unnamed – A+ SUV.

Styling-wise, think more of the same design cues debuted on the recently launched Superb. So at the side, there’s a sharp beltline and the same lower cut out giving some definition to the flanks plus some added off-road lower side cladding.  Interestingly, it has squarer wheel arches, which will also be a design feature of all future Skoda SUVs.

Move to the back and there’s another take on the triangular 3-D style lights, which are mounted high up and dominate the clean hatch design. Like the side, there’s also some smooth, thick lower off-road style cladding.

The lights at the front of the A+ SUV are the only move away from the new Skoda design language, with a sidelight unit mounted below the main crystal-like headlight unit. This a key design feature, as we found out it’s shared with the other forthcoming SUV range members. Then there’s another version of the new vertical family grille and a wide 3D front airdam with large grille area.

Inside we’re promised five- and seven-seater versions of the big Yeti; go for the five-seater version and we’re told legroom will rival the limousine-like Superb.

We were told that this MQB-based SUV is not a true off-roader, but were assured it’s as good as the current Yeti.

No high performance RS version of this bigger SUV is planned, instead business buyers will have the choice of Scoutline (think off-road look) and Sportline (think Skoda’s version of Audi’s S-Line trim) models and because of its MQB underpinnings, a plug-in hybrid version is likely too.

The next model in Skoda’s SUV assault we’ve also seen is less certain for production and perhaps even less certain of making UK shores. Basically think of it as Skoda’s BMW X4, with the A+ SUV being the X3.

Obviously based on the A+ SUV design, the biggest change is the curvy, coupe-like roofline. At the back, there’s a distinctive rear air dam with sporty, chrome-trimmed rear exhausts. While at the front, there’s a more aggressive, chrome-trimmed front grille and larger front airdam.

Inside, despite the curvy roofline, we were promised that because of the rear seat position, rear headroom is still generous.

This A+ SUV is obviously a halo model for Skoda, showing new confidence in the Czech Volkswagen Group brand. With interest in the brand Skoda growing from China, expect this model, if it makes production, to debut there first. With a decision on European and UK production, coming after the company has assessed interest in the A+ SUV, after its launch 2017.

Also launched in 2017 and another of Skoda’s arsenal of new models we saw, was the face-lifted version of the Octavia hatch and estate. If, like us, you were thinking more of the same Superb-inspired styling cues making their way down the range, you’d be wrong.

The main changes surround the front and rear styling of the car. At the front, there’s a wider version of the grille which integrates the front lights. The lights are probably the most interesting feature, as they’re designed to look like separate units – but are in fact one-piece.

The next most significant model to debut in 2018 is the all-new Yeti – which we’ve also been lucky to see almost production-ready renderings of. Sadly, we think fans of the current car will be disappointed, as compared to that, Skoda’s gone all conventional.

Think of the Frankfurt-revealed all-new Volkswagen Tiguan, with more of Skoda’s new design language and you won’t go far wrong – it’s basically a scaled down version of its big brother we’ve talked about in more detail above.

Our source also confirmed that Skoda was also working on another SUV, this time a Nissan Juke rival, but this is likely to be further down the production cycle.

Finally, we were also shown an all-new version of Skoda’s quirky people carrier – the Roomster. The current Roomster dates back to 2006 and is based on the last-generation Fabia. This time round, the new Roomster is basically a Skoda-ised version of the latest Volkswagen Caddy Life people carrier – but our Skoda contact made it clear that the new Roomster is unlikely to make it to the UK.

So there’s plenty to get excited about for SME company car buyers over the next couple of years. Keep up to date on Business Car Manager for more on Skoda’s bright future.