The new Skoda Superb really has its name in lights, headlights.

The latest version of Skoda’s biggest model is bristling with new features.
One of these is the name Superb which has been moulded into the reflector body of the headlights and which is a design cue we will see introduced on forthcoming facelifted and entirely new models from the Czechoslovakian car maker, which is also one of the oldest in Europe.

The attention to details abound in the new Superb and it is visually one of the most striking of new cars on sale with a strong appearance and the practical content of executive models costing 50pc more than the entry level price for the range.

Lower in height than the outgoing model when it goes on sale 18 September, it is within a whisker of the footprint of its main rivals, the Mondeo and Insignia, but it looks longer.

For the new Superb, a name which Skoda introduced in 1934 and then relaunched in 2002, Skoda has turned the powertrain into a transverse layout and added the option of a sophisticated 4x4 transmission on some versions. It has also created much more space in the cabin and boot and it is arguably the roomiest in its sector and has one of the biggest boots ranging between 565 and 1,670 litres.

The really clever design feature from the Skoda engineers is the creation of the Twindoor which transforms the Superb from hatchback to saloon (right) at the touch of a switch and which we will undoubtedly see on other VW Group models in future.

Outwardly a saloon silhouette you can either open the boot lid, or touch a switch and open the entire rear fifth door which reveals the immense loading capacity. For those who want even more space, the estate version of the Superb is due in 2010.

By then we will also have more engines introduced to the range than at launch this month, although the petrol and diesels will satisfy most requirements for now.

It goes on sale on 18 September with 125bhp 1.4, 160bhp 1.8 and 260bhp 3.2V6 petrol engines or 105bhp 1.9, 140bhp 2.0 TDI PD and 170bhp 2.0 TDI CR diesels, with the choice of manual or six and seven speed dual-clutch tiptronic transmissions.
There are S, SE and Elegance trim levels and prices span £15,490 to £26.675.

Worthy of mention in the equipment packages is the intelligent adaptive front light system which automatically changes the beam depending upon road speed,if you are driving in the UK or on the Continent, if its raining and “looks” around corners.

The simple and useful Park Assist (right) will automatically put the car into a suitably sized spot beside the kerb and for the first time 4x4 can be ordered with some powertrains.

Rob de Young, operations manager of Skoda, said the initial order bank for the latest Superb not only built on the returning loyalty of current Superb owners but included many conquest sales with other marques being part-exchanged.

“The brand has tremendous owner loyalty and we encourage our dealers to build on positive relationships with their customers,” he said. “Introducing the Superb has created a new market for them, the fleet customer or business buyer, but the dealers have responded magnificently and brought in these new customers to the brand.”

He said that Skoda has worked hard to bring down the ownership costs of the new Superb and introduced a headline lease rate of £199 a month over three years, which was proving very popular with business buyers.

Rob de Young added that Skoda was satisfied with its network of 135 dealers but wanted to plug a few gaps in urban areas and eventually add another 20 dealers to its network.

I was very impressed with a brief outing in the Superb Elegance 2.0TDI 140bhp 6sp DSG model, which costs £22,785.

The eye-catching design draws you along the body and reveals some clever details but completely masks the Twindoor rear end, until you use it in either mode. As a saloon it has a small opening, like so many rivals, but the really clever ability to open the fifth door means you have full and unrestricted access to the voluminous boot space. An excellent concept.

In the cabin, room is truly generous whether you are in the front or back and the seats for driver and passenger have excellent adjustment and all users will find them comfortable.

The powertrain was very quiet and smooth with creamy changes making the most of the engine’s potential for a 0-60mph of just over 10secs, a maximum of 127mph where permitted and 41mpg overall.

Ride is very smooth and there’s very little body roll while it responds well to steering, brakes and throttle. Visibility is good for a hatchback and it’s a very quiet car over any surface.

With its specification and equipment, the new Skoda Superb makes no compromises to offering the ability to downsize on price but not value or quality.