THE fourth generation of Skoda's flagship Superb has been revealed and the new version looks set to build on the strengths of previous models.

Bigger than before, the new Superb will be available as a hatchback and an estate with both having sleek styling and offering plenty of space inside.

Some four centimetres longer yet narrower and taller than before the new Superb hatch has grown to 4.912 metres long with the estate slightly shorter.

The result is more room for front and rear seat passengers and an increase in luggage space which is up 20 litres to 645 litres on the hatch and 690 litres for the estate. Maximum capacity of the estate is a whopping 1,920 litres.

Three TSI petrol engines, including one with mild-hybrid technology are included in the new line up with two diesels and a newplug-in hybrid powertrain which has an electric range of more than 62 miles and power outputs for the whole range go from 150hp to 265hp.

The top diesel and petrol engines come with all-wheel drive and all powertrains are mated to DSG automatic transmissions as standard.

The most obvious change to the design is a new octagonal grille while inside the cabin now has a 13-inch freestanding display panel sitting above three ‘smart' rotary dials which control most vehicle functions.

The gear shifter has moved from the centre console to be mounted on the steering wheel column giving an uncluttered feel to the interior.

Brighter LED Matrix beam headlights are making their debut in the new Superb as are a fast wireless phone charger, ergonomic seats and a powered load cover for the estate.

Skoda says the Superb now has 28 of its Simply Clever features while ahead-up display is available as an option for the first time on the car.

The plug-in hybrid is available only on the estate variant and uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor giving a total output of 204hp and an electric only range of around 60 miles.

Three petrol engines will be available starting with a 1.5-litre mild hybrid developing 150hp followed by two 2.0-litre units with either 204 or 265hp on tap in the 4x4.

Diesels are also 2.0-litres and offer 150hp in the front-wheel drive version and 190hp with all-wheel drive.

Full performance data is still to be announced as are prices which are expected to start from around £35,000 when the new Superb arrives early in 2024.

Since its launch in 2001 the Superb has notched up more than 57,000 sales in the UK.

Between 2001 and 2008, Skoda delivered a total of 137,000first-generation vehicles and the second generation sold a total of 618,000 units from 2008 to 2015. The third generation Superb was launched in 2015, anda total of 845,000 units have been produced to date.