By Sam Hardy

25th February 2007

Going on sale next year, the Superb will be the big brother to the Octavia and sit at the top of the Czech company's range. The mag's pictures show it boasts an all-new look and will offer even greater practicality, thanks to the fact it's now a hatchback.

Skoda has dumped the current car's saloon body, bringing in a distinctive five-door shape instead. The move is designed to differentiate it from other models in the VW Group family, such as the Passat. Based on a lengthened and widened Octavia platform, the Superb will offer limousine-like space for passengers in the rear.

Up front, the bold nose takes inspir­ation from the Roomster and new Fabia, with a big chrome grille. At the rear, the angular tail-lights stretch across the boot. Inside, the new car borrows much of its cabin from the Octavia, but has a greater emphasis on soft-touch materials and features a piano black centre console with chrome highlights throughout. The Superb will also be available with a variety of other upmarket trim materials, including classy wood inserts. Leather trim will be standard on most models, alongside a host of equipment, including MP3-compatible CD stereos, climate control and sat-nav.

The Superb will use engines taken from the Octavia line-up. These could include the 1.6 FSI, 2.0 FSI and 2.0 turbocharged TFSI petrol units, and possibly a 3.2-litre V6 FSI, too. A 2.0 TDI diesel with either 138bhp or 168bhp is also set to appear.

A mix of five-speed and six-speed manual gearboxes will be available, as well as a smooth-shifting auto.

Befitting its status as Skoda's flagship model, the Superb's driving experience will be biased towards comfort, with a supple ride and hushed refinement. The model is scheduled to get its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motor Show next year, and prices should start from £15,000 when it reaches showrooms in the summer.

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