SKODA'S new Superb Estate model, due to arrive in the UK this autumn, will have the biggest boot in its area of the new car market.

We're talking a load area of a whopping 1,950 litres with the back seats folded down while, even with the seats in place, there's appreciably more scope for stashing stuff than in the previous generation model.

And if you need to carry something like a step-ladder, well the front passenger seat can be folded down to allow items of up to 3.10 metres long to be shifted.

But the smart stuff doesn't stop there, thanks to something Skoda calls its Simply Clever features, 31 of which are scattered around the Superb - with 11 of them in the boot.

As with the saloon variant, the estate can be ordered with a virtual pedal, which enables you to open the electric tailgate hands-free with a simple foot movement around the bottom of the rear bumper.

Another new addition is the tip-to-close function that electrically shuts the boot with a simple pull and can also be operated remotely.

Folding down the rear backrests can also be done at the touch of a button and there's a moveable floor to make the boot more flexible.

Other practical features include a new coat shelf, found under the roller cover, and there are four folding hooks in the boot plus three securing nets.

To round things off, there's a removable LED torch in the boot, which is charged automatically in its holder as you drive, and is also magnetic.