And one of the things the Czechs love is room to move in their cars. The body of the Superb is an all-Czech design and its biggest feature is a huge amount of interior space. Rear legroom in the Superb sees it catering for families with teenagers on the high side of two metres tall. The rear-seat legroom in the new 2009 Skoda Superb is achieved in several ways; firstly, it's a big car, being slightly longer than a Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon. Secondly, its transversely mounted engine takes up less length than a longitudinal powerplant, so the cabin can be moved further forward. Thirdly, the Skoda engineers raised the back seats to enable a more efficient seating angle. Headroom may be restricted for very tall people, though my 1.82-metre frame fits with a few centimetres to spare.

While it's longer than the Aussie family sixes, the Skoda Superb is similar in width to a typical medium-sized car, so doesn’t have the interior width to carry three adults in the rear without a fair bit of shoulder rubbing.

 

The Superb’s boot is huge. Its total volume is 565 litres with the security screen in place, increasing to 1670 litres when the split-fold rear seats are folded down completely. It's almost station wagon-like in its carrying capacity.

A fascinating feature of the superbly spacious Superb is that there are two way of accessing the load area. Push one button and the boot lid opens in a conventional manner like any other sedan. Press another button and instead of a bootlid you have a large opening hatch, with all that means in ease of loading bulky items. The idea is that if you don’t need the full-sized opening offered by the hatchback the cabin isn't exposed to the outside air with all that can mean in the way of wind and traffic noise and fumes.

Skoda Superb is sold with a choice of engines, all designed by Volkswagen: a turbo-petrol, 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 118 kW, a 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel producing 125 kW, and a V6 petrol unit displacing 3.6 litres and peaking at 191 kW. The latter engine gets a 4x4 drive system, the others drive through the front wheels. Transmission is by a six-speed DSG sequential manual in the turbo-diesel and petrol V6, but by seven-speed in the turbo-petrol four-cylinder.

Our road test vehicle for the past week was fitted with the turbo-diesel engine, the engine that we probably favour if buying a Superb ourselves. Typical fuel use is only about six to seven litres per hundred kilometres in easy country or motorway driving. And diesel consumption is unlikely to rise much over nine litres in suburban running and normal commuting.

Handling is pretty good, with a relatively neutral steering and plenty of ability to hold onto the road even at speeds well over these likely to be attempted by the driver of a large limousine. But you don’t expect to get a sports sedan in a vehicle of this type – keen drivers may not be overly impressed with its characteristics. At all times the big Skoda had the solid feel that’s such a trademark of all products from the Volkswagen Group.

Harsh coarse-chip surfaces did create the usual increase in noise and vibration levels, but we have felt worse problems in other European cars. But make sure you test tyre-road noise for yourself if you are going to be doing a lot of driving on country roads.

Skoda Superb comes in two model grades: Ambition and upmarket Elegance. Recommended prices for the Superb begin at $42,990 for the Ambition with the 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine, and peak at $56,990 for the Superb Elegance with the V6 engine and 4x4 transmission. Statutory and dealer delivery charges have to be added to these prices. Contact your local Skoda dealer or click onto www.skoda.com.au/ for driveaway prices specific to your area.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
Superb Ambition 1.8 TSI 118kW DSG: $42,990
Superb Ambition 2.0 TDI 125kW DSG: $45,990
Superb Elegance 1.8 TSI 118kW DSG: $45,990
Superb Elegance 2.0 TDI 125kW DSG: $48,990
Superb Elegance 4x4 V6 3.6 FSI 191kW DSG: $56,990

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Skoda Superb TDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.968 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 18.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 81.0 mm x 95.5 mm
Maximum Power: 125 kW @ 4200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed DSG
Final Drive Ratio: NA

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4838 mm
Wheelbase: 2763 mm
Width: 1817 mm
Height: 1462 mm
Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
Kerb Mass: 1655 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Towing Ability: 700 kg (1500 kg with braked trailer)

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, lower triangular links, torsion stabiliser
Rear Suspension: Multi-element axle, one longitudinal and three transverse links, torsion stabiliser
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 8.8 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.9 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km