Skoda-Superb is the higher version of Octavia. Built on a stretched VW Passat platform, with an additional 95mm between the wheels, the Superb is a big car, with an air of understated class. The Superb is a imitation of VW Passat lines and Skoda detailing, and the headlights, grille and tail-lights do make it look Octavia-like from a distance. Its exaggerated length gives it real elegance.

 

The Superb’s interiors beautifully built and crafted to VW-Audi standards, this vast comfortable cabin is nothing short of first-class travel. It is very well appointed, with high-grade plastics, very convincing wood inlays, chrome garnish and plush-feeling leather. The front seats are large and comfortable, plastic quality is excellent, and it is ergonomically sound. And it gets even better at the rear: there is almost as much space as in a Mercedes-Benz S-class, and getting in and out is made easy by the long rear doors.

 

There are an umbrella holder in the rear doors, a cooled storage box and a host of safety and security equipment, including six airbags, a uniquely lockable boot and fuel cap. Other equipment is abundant as well, including power-adjust/heated seats, four-zone climate control, automatic wipers and a cooled storage box in the armrest. The only real problem is the refinement; far too much noise is transmitted into the cabin for a luxury car. It comes equipped with ESP (electronic stability program) which includes an anti-lock braking system and electronic brake assist. While four airbags are standard (driver, passenger and side), buyers have an option of ordering the Superb with curtain airbags to ensure greater protection between the occupants and the windows - from the A- to C-pillar.

 

Powered by a V6 motor that makes 190bhp, the petrol Superb is no slouch. This motor uses five valves per cylinder to help it breathe better, as well as double overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. Silent and smooth at low engine speeds, the Skoda leverages the five gear ratios of the automatic ’box to good effect. The Skoda delivered the 100kph mark in 11.42 seconds. Gearing is fairly short, so it moves quite quickly in the city.

 

The Superb is not the most efficient of cars, returns only 6.1kpl in the city and a fairly low 7.0kpl on the highway. The 163bhp diesel on the other hand trumps the petrol version. It is among the most refined diesels and very responsive. There’s barely any turbo lag and the strong mid-range power make driving it in stop-start traffic conditions easy. Fuel economy too is decent 7.34kpl in the city and 11.97kpl on the highway.

  
A front-wheel-drive car powered by a longitudinally-mounted V6 engine, the Superb utilises a four- arm multi-link front suspension, anti-roll bars and traction control; the rear, surprisingly, uses torsion-bar suspension, but you do get Anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Brake Force distribution.

Filed under: Skoda Cars in India