The launch of the executive-class Skoda Superb at Frankfurt will be the culmination of an extraordinary decade which has seen the Czech brand reinvent itself.

And the new car will help reposition Skoda as a more mainstream competitor in the fleet market with a full range of model sizes and options.

No matter what you think of the name, the Superb is likely to give some volume carmakers a few sleepless nights.

With a longer wheelbase and overall length, the Superb will compete with cars at the top end of the upper medium segment. This means Skoda is targeting more expensive Ford Mondeos, Opel Vectras and Peugeot 406s - and also entry-level Audi A4s, BMW 3-series, and Volvo S60s. (September 2001)