The next Superb, the Czech company’s flagship, offers the security of a separate boot and the versatility of a hatchback in one car. It means Skoda will be able to offer a rival to premium saloons such asthe Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, and mainstream hatchbacks such as the Ford Mondeo, without having to produce two different bodystyles.

The new Superb in California’s Death Valley last autumn. Skoda has now started to release more technical details of the car ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show in March.

There will be six engines, ranging from a 1.4-litre 120bhp turbo to a 260bhp 3.6-litre V6 petrol. Mainstays of the range, though, will be the 1.8-litre 160bhp turbo petrol and the three diesels – a 105bhp 1.9, and 140bhp and 170bhp 2.0-litre units. Four-wheel drive is standard with the V6 and optional with the 1.8 and most-powerful diesel. And new Superb will arrive in the UK in September and is expected to be priced to rival the Ford Mondeo as Skoda seeks to go more mainstreram to increase sales

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