There's even an umbrella in the back

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The top-model Skoda Superb costs about $58,000 and comes with an umbrella in a "wetcase" in the rear passenger door armrest.

Years ago the wags would have said it was there to help to keep the driver dry when the car broke down in the rain.

These days it's there purely as a convenience. The $450,000 Bentley Arnage has one, too.

The new front-drive and all-wheel-drive Skoda range was launched in Auckland 24 hours ago.

It includes the Fabia hatchback/wagon from about $25,000, the Octavia liftback/wagon from $37,000 and the top-range Superb sedan at around $58,000.

Engines include 1.4-, 1.8- and 2-litre four-cylinder units and a 2.8-litre V6.

Skoda is still based in the Czech Republic but it is now owned by Volkswagen. The Fabia shares the Polo platform, the Octavia sits on a stretched version of the Golf/Audi A3 platform and the Superb on a stretched Passat base.

The Skoda range will be aimed at mainstream models from Toyota, Ford and Holden, and niche Europeans.

Skoda entered the New Zealand market more than 40 years ago with a front-engined car.

Rear-engined models followed before the company went back to front engines again. It pulled out of New Zealand in the early 1990s.

Midweek Motoring will carry a full report next Wednesday of the new Skoda lineup.