Skoda SUPERB RANGE
Skoda Have Checked In To The Executive Sector With Their Impressive Superb Saloon. But How Much Of It Is Really Theirs? Jonathan Crouch Decides
Is there really anyone who doesnt know that modern Skodas are darn good cars? Vehicles that bear about as much resemblance to their communist-created predecessors as Madonna does to the Queen. I think not which is why Im not going to bother feigning surprise that the marques flagship, the Superb, is such a good car. As basically little more than a stretched VW Passat with a different badge, it certainly should be.
Apparently, it was Czech President Milos Zeman, embarrassed at having to use a German car for his official duties, who prompted Prague to initiate plans for a top saloon to slot in above the Medium Range Octavia. Actually, what he originally wanted was a stretched Octavia, revealing his surprisingly limited knowledge of VWs platform-sharing policy. The Octavia does, after all, share the underpinnings of a mkIV VW Golf: expecting to create a limousine out of it was asking a bit much. What could be provided however, was the basis for a stretched VW Passat. Wolfsburg had already created such a thing for the Chinese market, extending the wheelbase by 95mm to 2803mm. All the Czechs then had to do was to Skoda-ise it.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
 |
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
 |
This has been done rather more half-heartedly than with other transition models but then thats all to the buyers benefit. What
Skoda influence there is has been neatly integrated: the chrome front grille, restyled bonnet and trapezoidal headlamps are all detail changes. The wider cabin and unique small rear side windows represent more fundamental improvements.
"I remember laughing the first time I saw wood in a Skoda but theres nothing remotely funny about this."
Move inside and the first thing that strikes you is the wood trim. I remember laughing the first time I saw wood in a Skoda (an after-market package fitted to a Felicia a few years ago) but theres nothing remotely funny about this. Adorning the dashboard and the doors, the dark timber is tasteful and Germanic. Whereas the Octavias cabin seems to have been kept deliberately drab to preserve Passat sales, this one seems almost as good as anything from the German marques stable.
Which, given that prices lie in the £13,900 to £20,340 bracket, makes this car something of a steal. Sure, you can get a slightly bigger Passat (the W8) but that car costs £30,000. And for £20,340, the Superb V6 2.8 30v provides most of the same recipe for nearly £10,000 less.
This 193bhp unit develops an impressive 206 Ib/ft of torque and is the largest engine on offer or at least it will be until someone gets round to sticking the W8s 4.0-litre lump under the bonnet. But why would you want to when this one makes sixty in 8.0s on the way to 147mph? A bit of a downside is the fuel consumption: youll struggle to average much more than about 28mpg. This is one of the reasons why most buyers go for the more realistic engine options. Petrol-wise, these include the Octavias familiar 115bhp 2.0-litre and 150bhp 1.
8 Turbo units. Diesel buyers meanwhile, get both 100 and 130bhp TDI PD powerplants, plus the 155bhp 2.5-litre V6 TDI (which alone comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox option). Theres no four-wheel drive option but you can specify the excellent 5-speed Tiptronic automatic widely used on up-market Audis.
As with the Passat, you shouldnt expect a particularly involving driving experience. Still, most buyers will find the ride to be truly excellent 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. Never mind: the inviting cabin makes up for it. As you might expect, most of that extra 95mm has been donated towards the cause of extra legroom and it makes lots of difference. Sadly, the boot capacity is no different to an ordinary Passats (462 litres) but you can at least extend it by using the easily-to-operate split-folding rear seats. Its even possible to fold the front passengers
seat flat for particularly long items.
If you want to go further, youll be wanting an estate but there are no plans for one: yet. For the drivers its all very plush, thanks to a multi-function leather-coated steering wheel that adjusts for both rake and reach. Three trim levels are being offered Classic, Comfort and Elegance and all include electric windows, air conditioning and a trip computer. Go for the Elegance and you can expect to find satellite navigation, xenon headlamps, a premium CD stereo system, rain-sensing wipers, climate-controlled air conditioning, 17" alloy wheels and leather electric seats with a memory function. Plus of course you can order leather seats and satellite navigation should you want it: mindful of their savings, many buyers probably will. In the final analysis, its difficult to do anything but admire the way that, with VWs help, Skoda has pulled itself up by its bootstraps over the last five years. And yes, the Superb is a fitting way for the marque to reward both itself and its wealthier fans. Lets hope it does so well that the Czech engineers can put a bit more of their own input in next time round.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Skoda Superb range
PRICES: £13,900-£21,600 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 151-250g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.8 V6] 0-60mph 8.0s / Max Speed 147mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.8 V6] (combined) 28mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4803/1765/1469mm
<< Back to Skoda car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Skoda Cars For Sale UK
