Skoda Superb

	Skoda Superb
	Debut: 2015 Maker: Skoda Predecessor: Superb (2008)

Published on 30 Apr 2015

After a decade of continuous growth, Skoda had its sales exceeded 1 million units last year, which is on a par with Opel-Vauxhall. Judging from the cars it launched recently, I am sure its growth will continue for more years. Moreover, with a solid profit margin of 7.0 percent, it makes most other mainstream brands envy, including Volkswagen. The success of Skoda is driven by a number of factors, namely low cost structure (thanks to manufacturing in Czech Republic), shared platforms / parts / technology with Volkswagen group and sensible market positioning. Its cars always offer more space and value for the money than its Volkswagen stablemates. However, owing to the common parts shared with VW they usually trump other mainstream rivals for build quality and engineering completeness. In other words, Skoda builds its success at the expense of Volkswagen brand. To distinguish the two, the Czech brand is deliberately made less luxurious and sophisticated, more conservative to look and more focused on practicality. That fits exactly those don’t care about brand image and pursue a sensible purchase.

Superb is the flagship large car of Skoda. In the first generation it was merely a stretched version of Volkswagen Passat. As the company had built up its engineering capability locally, the second generation became a unique car. It had a unique hatchback that could be doubled as a conventional boot lid. Gimmicky it might sound, the car was nearly unrivalled in terms of practicality, space and value. Nevertheless, it was as dull to drive as to look, so it never quite caught the hearts of car enthusiasts like us.

The third generation seems to be different. Having been bored of being called boring, Skoda chief designer Jozef Kaban introduces a new design theme that emphasizes sharp edges, crisped lines and fast angles. While the outgoing car looks bulky, the new car is far more athletic. Well, its volume-optimized shape is not going to match the sportscar theme of Ford Fusion/Mondeo or Mazda 6, or to lesser extent the sleeker and lighter Volkswagen Passat, but it is graceful and tasteful in its own right.

As expected, it rides on the largest yet version of Volkswagen MQB platform. Compared with sister car Passat, its wheelbase is 50 mm longer at 2841 mm, or 80 mm longer than the last Superb. Its overall length, width and height exceed the Passat by 94 mm, 32 mm and 12 mm respectively. In other words, it is about the same size as the American-size Fusion/Mondeo and larger than most other D-segment cars. Don’t think the extra metal could bring more weight. On the contrary, the lightweight tech of MQB platform helps the car to cut 75 kg from the old one. Meanwhile, drag coefficient is lowered to 0.275, so everything seems to enhance efficiency.

If the car is large, then its boot should be called huge. It measures an eye-popping 625 liters, not only leading the class but also by quite a margin – Mondeo and Passat swallow 550 and 586 liters respectively, while a BMW 3-Series manages only 480. Moreover, the cargo area is flat and square, while the electric hatchback door makes loading large items easy. Thankfully, the Superb does that without sacrificing a graceful look. You would think it is a 3-box saloon until you open the hatchback.

Inside, the Skoda is not as classy as VW Passat, of course, but it still possesses the solidity and clarity of Volkswagen interior design. While the materials employed are not as expensive as its sister car, they are still noticeably better than Ford or most other mainstream rivals. The build quality is pretty high, too. On top-spec. car you have stitched leather upholstery. The Passat-sourced infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen is superb. On the doors there are 2 umbrellas. However, what’s remarkable is again the amount of space, which is class-leading (at least in Europe). 5 large guys can sit comfortably as in a large executive car.

The MQB platform is not exactly executive class though. It is a conventional FF architecture that emphasizes high efficiency and low running costs. It offers an optional 4x4 by means of Haldex multi-plate clutch, but we don’t expect many people would pay for it. Even with it installed, its driving dynamics is not going to be confused with an FR executive car. The suspensions are suitably designed, with MacPherson struts up front and multi-link setups at the rear like Passat. It is now supported with active dampers and DCC dynamic chassis control, a first for Skoda.

On the road, the Superb’s ride and handling are competitive if not remarkable. Owing to the lesser sound insulation its cabin is not quite as quiet as Passat. Nor its suspension isolates from road irregularities as good as the Volkswagen or Ford Mondeo. If you leave the adaptive damping in Comfort or Normal mode, the body bounces quite a lot on rough roads. Switch to Sport mode and the car is more tied down, but the ride fidgets over sharp bumps. Drive faster through corners, Comfort and Normal modes result in considerable body roll and a steering that is both light and vague. Sport mode tightens the body control a lot and adds weight to the steering, but it is still not very inspiring. A Volkswagen Passat is more agile yet always more refined, while Ford Mondeo is more composed on mountain roads and more confidence inspiring. Mazda 6 is sportier still. The new Skoda is more talented than its predecessor for sure, but it is not a driver's car.

Like most rivals in the class, the range of engines has shrunk to 4-cylinders only in order to cut fleet emission. This means the interesting VR6 is no more. You can choose among 3 diesels (120hp 1.6TDI, 150hp 2.0TDI, 190hp 2.0TDI) and 5 petrols (125hp 1.4TSI, 150hp 1.4TSI with ACT cylinder deactivation, 180hp 1.8TSI, 220hp 2.0TSI and 280hp 2.0TSI) from the same pool of Volkswagen Passat. Most of them can be optioned with DSG gearbox. In Europe, the 150hp 2.0TDI is expected to be the best seller. It offers strong mid-range torque for good real-world performance, accompanied with reasonable refinement (again, the better insulated Passat makes the same engine feel more refined). The 190 hp version is upgraded with variable exhaust valve timing and higher pressure common-rail injection. However, neither diesels could match the 2.0TSI petrol for refinement and sweet-revving manner. The 220 hp version from Golf GTI allows the big Skoda to do 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, good enough to shame many rivals. There’s really no need to take the flagship 280 hp version which is mandatory to have 4x4. Save money and weight.

With vast of passenger and luggage space, solid build quality, frugal engines and nice straight line performance, the new Skoda Superb is undoubtedly one of the top choices for company cars – and that will see great opportunities in China. It is not a spirited drive for keen drivers, but that is not the mission of Skoda.