Skoda Superb Range : WHAT'S IN A NAME?

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Skoda's Superb was always big but now it's bigger. Jonathan Crouch reports

Skoda's Superb has always been a family four-door offering executive standards of space for Mondeo money. The fact that you could only have a saloon put off some who wanted five doors from trying the first generation version but the mark two model brings a design that offers the best of both. There's also extra quality and more technology. It's not the still not the sharpest car to drive but it is exceptional value for money.

Back in the late Nineties, Czech President Milos Zeman, embarrassed at having to use a German car for his official duties, went knocking on Skoda's door asking if they could do him a stretched version of their Octavia family five-door. Initially, he had no luck. The Octavia then, as now, was based on the underpinnings of a VW Golf and expecting to create a limousine out of it was asking a bit much. What could be provided however, thanks to Skoda's membership of the Volkswagen group, was the basis for a stretched MKV VW Passat. This had already been created for the Chinese market, the engineers extending the wheelbase by 95mm. All the Czechs then had to do was to Skoda-ise this package. So was born the Skoda Superb, a saloon with the space of a BMW 5 Series for the cost of a Renault Laguna. Originally, this was to be a one-off, `toe-in-the-water' effort from Skoda into uncharted upper class market territory but so successful was it that we've now the second generation version that I'm looking at here. It's a fact: Britain's roads are the worst in Western Europe, except perhaps for those in the Czech republic. Small wonder then, that it's taken a Czech maker to produce a car that rides beautifully here. Over-large wheels with stiff suspension that produces a supposedly `sporty' drive sound great on paper but can be a misery to live with, day-in, day-out. The Superb, in contrast, dispenses with all this nonsense and offers up wonderfully supple suspension. The comfort emphasis isn't just focused on ride either. Refinement is outstanding. As a result, it's a great car for long distances - or even better, to be driven in.

"The Superb's executive car pretensions are underlined by a silky ride quality and hushed interior "

On the road, though the Superb certainly feels big, we've found that it shrinks around you. The controls are light and accurate and the whole car really feels solid. What it isn't is particularly sporty to drive, but then if you're after that, then this Skoda is unlikely to be on your shopping list in the first place. Unlike its predecessor however, it's now on a par with a Volkswagen Passat in this respect and there's the option of the VW Group's creamy smooth seven-speed DSG twin-clutch semi-automatic gearbox. The Superb is front wheel drive in standard guise but 4x4 versions are offered further up the range for those seeking greater traction. The Superb's size immediately strikes you. The first generation version was hardly compact but this model is 35mm longer still. From some angles, the shape isn't particularly graceful - though from others, it looks, well, superb. Either way, once you're sat inside, it's hard not to be impressed, in contrast to the MK1 version which in places, felt built down to a price. This time round, Volkswagen and Audi design cues are evident all around the interior and the general feeling of quality is tangible. In the rear, fortunate passengers will enjoy legroom of a level only usually found in luxury saloons. There's 19mm of extra kneeroom over the old Superb and space for even the preposterously tall to get comfy. Hatchback or saloon? It's the perennial poser for buyers in the medium range sector but the Superb neatly sidesteps it in a way we really like by being both bodystyles at the same time. With their `Twindoor' system, Skoda have 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 Superb's rear and a conventional bootlid lifts open. But if you continue to press until the high-level brake light flashes, your upward pull releases the whole of the rear windscreen as one with the boot lid to form a conventional tailgate, thus giving you a full-size hatch opening. This novel arrangement adds greatly to this car's practicality. Fold down the rear seats and a huge 1,670-litre space presents itself. The `executive car for medium range money' premise that has been so central to the Superb's success down the years holds firm with the latest car. The engine range, like much of the Skoda Superb, does look very Volkswagen. At the bottom of the petrol line-up, there's a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that through some dark magic manages to produce 125bhp and moves this one and a half tonne car with some alacrity. Next up is a meatier 1.8-litre turbo offering 160bhp, sitting below a minority interest 3.6-litre V6 that tops the petrol range with 260bhp. As with the Passat, most Superb customers will be after a diesel and here there's an aged 105bhp 1.9-litre option (also used in the eco-focused `Greenline' version) along with two far more satisfactory 2.0-litre TDI units. The 140bhp version will be chosen by most but for some, the pull of the 170bhp option may be tough to resist. The 2.0-litre TDI is an advanced common-rail injection unit, the first ever in a Skoda, with high standards of refinement as well as a mid-range that's punchier than Ricky Hatton. All models 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. The desirable 168bhp common-rail 2.0TDI diesel engine is an appealing option, not least because of its fuel economy and emissions. Considering the performance on offer, its 48.7mpg on the combined cycle and 153g/km of CO2 are very good and hardly different from the figures returned by the rumbly old 1.9-litre TDI entry-level unit. If you really can't face a diesel, the entry-level 125bhp 1.4 TSI petrol unit is a good option, returning CO2 emissions of 157g/km and 41.5mpg on the combined cycle. The Skoda name may still be a handicap to the Superb when it comes to residual values. Despite the rejuvenation in its public perception that's taken place since the dark days of the 80s and early 90s, the marque is still seen by some as a cheaper alternative to the mainstream and residuals are unlikely to be overly strong. Having said that, you're paying a lower price than many rivals will ask (and getting more car into the bargain). This, along with competitive servicing and repair costs, may well offer up a very competitive set of whole life costs once you finish all your sums. A lot of emphasis is placed by journalists on cars being sporty but Skoda's Superb is a model that unashamedly isn't yet remains an extremely desirable choice nevertheless. On grounds of comfort, quality and interior space, it's right up with the best, yet it's brilliant value. There's also an outstanding collection of modern engines to choose from. In other words, the Czechs have produced a car that does a fine job of getting the things that matter to its target market right. A superb job you might say - and we wouldn't argue.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Skoda Superb
PRICES: £15,905-£26,885 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 7-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 151-235g/km
PERFORMANCE: [TDI 170] 0-60mph 8.8s / Max Speed 138mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [TDI 170] (urban) 36.7mpg / (extra urban) 58.8mpg / (combined) 48.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Nine airbags, ABS, ESP, EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4838/1817/1462mm