Skoda Superb : SUPERB IN NAME ONLY?

Motoring writer June Neary checks out Skodas Impressive Superb

All of this surprising Skoda stuff is getting a little boring. If youre reading this page, then you likely already know that this Czech maker produces some pretty impressive cars these days and none more so than the model Ive been checking out here the second generation Superb. This is supposedly a medium range Mondeo-sized family saloon: at least, thats the way its priced. Check out the room in the back however and its much more akin to cars from the next class up BMWs 5-Series, Audis A6 and so on. Of course, if you dont care about back seat space, thats not going to attract you very much. You might also be put off by the fact that there are no hatchback or estate bodystyle options (hasnt Skoda missed a trick there?).

But what you cant get away from is that this car, like every other Skoda, offers quite outstanding value for money. And on that basis, you may well feel like I did, that its a car you just cant ignore.

Once I seated myself inside, the first thing that struck me was the wood trim actually done rather well. Adorning the dashboard and the doors, the dark timber is tasteful and Germanic. The Superbs size immediately strikes you. The old Superb was hardly compact but this model is 35mm longer.

From some angles, the shape isnt particularly graceful but its pleasant enough and from the inside its hard not to be impressed. The Volkswagen and Audi design cues are evident all around the interior and the general feeling of quality is tangible. In the rear, your lucky passengers will find legroom of a level only usually found in luxury saloons. Theres 19mm of extra kneeroom over the old Superb and space for even the preposterously tall to get comfy.

Hatchback or saloon? Its the perennial poser for buyers in the medium range sector but the Skoda Superb neatly sidesteps it by being both bodystyles at the same time. Skoda has engineered a novel rear opening for the car which provides access to the large 565-litre luggage bay in the style either of a saloon or a hatchback. Press one of the buttons on the Superbs rear and a small saloon boot lifts open. Press the other and the whole of the rear windscreen rises up as one with the boot lid to form a full-size hatch opening.

This novel arrangement probably adds little in terms of practicality but the Superb is highly practical already. Fold down the rear seats and a huge 1,670-litre space presents itself.

Most buyers will go for the smaller engine options. Theres the familiar 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that through some dark magic manages to produce 125bhp and moves this one and a half tonne car with some alacrity. Then theres the meatier 1.

8-litre turbo offering with 160bhp and the 3.6-litre V6 topping the petrol range with 260bhp. The diesel units are where the money of high-mileage drivers will probably go and here theres an aged 105bhp 1.9-litre option along with two far more satisfactory 2.

0-litre TDI units. The 140bhp option will probably account to more sales than any other engine but the pull of the 170bhp option will be tough to resist. Its an advanced common-rail injection unit, the first ever in a Skoda, with high standards of refinement as well as a mid-range thats punchier than Ricky Hatton. Since this car is, as I said, based on a VW Passat, I wasnt expecting a particularly involving driving experience and I didnt get one.

Still, the ride is pretty good even by modern standards thanks to Skodas careful tweaking of the four-link strut and torsion beam suspension. Its certainly difficult to imagine anyone getting out of shape in one, particularly as ESP Electronic Stability Control is standard.

The executive car for medium range money premise that has been so central to the Superbs success down the years holds firm with the latest car. Prices open at around £15,500 rising only around £10,000 to a V6 model with all the bells and whistles. At those prices, the Superb looks like a lot of car for the money. There are S, SE and Elegance trim levels but all include seven airbags, an alarm, Climatic air conditioning, a CD/MP3 stereo, alloy wheels, electric windows all-round, electric mirrors, the ESP stability programme and front foglights.

Park Assist technology is available on the SE and Elegance models for an extra £350 and on the entry level S variant for a £650 premium. For an extra £100 the S and SE trim levels can be fitted with a tyre pressure monitors can be fitted to the S and SE models and extra rear passenger side airbags can be fitted across the range for £250.

Skoda, as we all know, has changed out of all recognition over the last five years. And yes, the Superb is just as good as the other VW-inspired designs which have gone before it. Forget the surprising Skoda rubbish. This is a great car.

Full stop.