Well, finally had a response from Skoda UK.

And its not good.

The response to my question about the Amundsen screen size was:

 

"Hi. Our team have come back and said that the screens are the same size in the 2016 cars. Sorry to disappoint."

 

so, there you have it

I'll still believe it when I see it

Might be worth pointing the UK representative to the Skoda International news page, which says otherwise.  Not saying they're wrong though, it's quite normal for different countries to get different specifications.  Would just be good to understand where we stand, with different sources giving out different info.
 

The Octavia will feature the Bolero and Amundsen infotainment systems with larger, higher resolution screens: the displays have increased in size from 5.8 to 6.5 inches – 800x480 resolution 

Might be worth pointing the UK representative to the Skoda International news page, which says otherwise. Not saying they're wrong though, it's quite normal for different countries to get different specifications. Would just be good to understand where we stand, with different sources giving out different info.

Someone already has....see MY16 thread

Right just to give you an update. Had a lengthy chat with Skoda UK about the state of their marketing materials and how searching for smartlink comes up with an international website (skoda-auto.com) which shows only 6.5" units and columbus being compatible with smartlink. SUK say that as these are non uk sites that what they say does not apply to the UK market, pretty useless considering that a search of "skoda smartlink" only shows up details which do not apply to the uk market.

Skoda uk confirmed that the unit for MY16 is "MIB2" that there are differences internally between this new unit and the current ones on pre MY15 cars. However the screen size WILL BE 5.8" SUK said it was "MIB2" as they have made changes to how the unit updates map data through downloads rather than costly CD's (I don't think I believe them as I think current MIB1 units also update maps for free on SD card?)

Anyway, I tried a different tack and went along the lines that Apple Car Play has minimum requirements of an 800x480 screen and a minimum size of 6" from the link below, I explained that's why I think the Skoda-auto.com site does not list the older 5.8" screened Amundsen and Bolero on their Smartlink compatability list and that I would be ****ed(!) if I received my car having paid for smartlink and it not actually working for anything.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/12/11/apple-carplay-mfi-standards/

They are escalating about these requirements and are going to get back to me at the end of the week.

It continues...