DON’T be surprised if you think you should automatically be welcomed as a member of the Magic Circle if you buy one of Skoda’s soon-to-be-introduced Suberb numbers.

Aug 18 2008 Bruce Booth

DON’T be surprised if you think you should automatically be welcomed as a member of the Magic Circle if you buy one of Skoda’s soon-to-be-introduced Suberb numbers.

For, if truth be told, this Czech beauty, which hits our shores next month, has more tricks up its sleeve than the late, great would-be conjurer Tommy Cooper ever mastered during his long and illustrious career.

And the first of the car’s many talents is so simple that it is really surprising it has taken a manufacturer this long to come up with the goods.

Open the boot of the saloon and there’s a massive 565 litres of luggage space which will swallow up five decent sized cases and the proverbial kitchen sink.

But close the lid and push a catch, and hey presto. The car immediately turns into a much more versatile hatchback.

But if you think that’s clever, you ain’t seen anything yet, for with the optional park assist system, this big Skoda can even park itself, again at just the touch of a button.

As Paul Daniels would say: “Now that’s magic”.

The Superb is the third model to bear the famous name and this newcomer really does set the benchmark in the large family hatchback sector when it comes to size, build quality and value for money.

Building on the success of its predecessor, the Superb is now even bigger and better than before, and with six power plants and three trim levels offering a choice of no less than 24 models, including 4x4 all-wheel drive versions, starting at just £15,490, there really is something in the range to suit every budget.

The high price of fuel will undoubtedly sway the majority of potential buyers towards the diesel trio: the tried-and-tested 105bhp 1.9-litre and 140bhp two-litre PD duo and a brand new 170bhp common-rail two-litre offering.

With combined fuel consumption figures of 47.9mpg, Skoda believes it will be the mid-range model which will quickly make its mark as the best seller and it’s difficult to find another machine that comes close to matching these figures, especially considering the limo-like interior space the Superb offers.

Even with its gigantic dimensions – it’s nearly 16 feet long and six feet wide – the Suberb handles beautifully. Body roll has been kept in check and the car grips well at speed on those tighter corners.

Top speed from the 140bhp two-litre PD diesel is a claimed 128mph while it can achieve 0 to 60mph in 10.2 seconds. Emissions are relatively low as well at 155g/km.

The ride, too, is supple and the balanced suspension soaks up everything our badly pot-holed roads can throw at it, allowing the car to glide effortlessly along swallowing up the miles.

Inside the cabin is a designer’s masterpiece. Soft touch plastics are of the highest quality while the dials of the instrument panel glow in a soft white light.

Passenger safety was a major priority during the new Suberb’s development, as its five-star NCAP rating testifies. Seven airbags are fitted as standard, while there is the option of adding an additional pair of side bags for extra protection to rear seat passengers.

A host of electronic features also come as standard, including a stability programme, anti-lock brakes, anti-spin regulation and engine drag control.

This is without doubt the Czech manufacturer’s finest offering to date and will finally blow away for once and for all the myth that Skoda are the poor relations within the Volkswagen Group.