Here it is, the brand new Garmin Edge 800.

When Garmin introduced the Edge 500 and new outdoorsy Oregon GPS computers last year, we couldn’t help ponder what the next step would be for the US company. We guessed at a turbocharged Edge 705, with a colour touchscreen with extended battery life, slimmer design and improved mapping facility and, well, it seems our guess wasn’t that far from the truth.

The new Edge 800, revealed this week, combines features from both the Edge 500 and 705 with the exciting addition of a touchscreen, a welome addition for those readers who have embraced devices such as smartphones.

New mapping options including Garmin GB Discoverer topographical mapping for Great Britain, developed in conjunction with Ordnance Survey, make it even more useful on the trail.

“Whether you’re on the road, in the mountains or around the city, Garmin’s touchscreen Edge 800 puts the most important information of your ride at your fingertips” said Andrew Silver, Garmin’s Sport and Fitness Product Manager.

“Thanks to its simple mounting system, improved mapping and route-planning capabilities, and the GPS-based features that make wires and calibration obsolete, we can easily say that one Edge fits all.”

It’s hard to tell from this studio photo, but the Edge 800 is touted as ‘smaller and sleeker’ than the existing 705 despite packing a larger 2.6in colour screen.

More on the new Edge next week, when we’ll get a closer look during the Eurobike trade show in Germany. For now, head over to www.garmin.co.uk/edge800 for a bit more info.