Czech carmaker Skoda has taken the wraps off the long-awaited Superb, aimed at the upper medium segment. Like most new cars, the Superb has grown considerably over the previous generation and is both longer and wider for additional interior space.

The new Superb features a number of smart technological solutions not usually found in this segment including adaptive cornering headlamps, a new electronic air conditioning system, automatic parking assist, and an impressive nine airbags.

Being a subsidiary of the Volkswagen group gives Skoda access to some of the best engines in the world so the Superb will be available with three petrol and three diesel engines. Outputs will range from 105bhp to 260bhp and the units will be combined with a selection of manual or DSG transmissions. The Škoda Superb will be manufactured in the carmaker’s Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic and will go on sale in Europe in late 2008.

Skoda has chosen a strange time to release this information in the leadup to the Detroit Auto Show. The car will officially be presented at the Geneva show in March.