With its limousine like interior legroom and a surprisingly affordable price tag, the Superb is Skoda's latest success story in the luxury sedan segement.
Skoda Superb
One of the rare cars that actually does justice to its name. The Superb is indeed a superb offering from Skoda. We knew there was a whole lot to expect when the car was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March last year, thrilled even knowing that the car would reach India really soon. What has rolled out of the company's HQ in Mlada Boleslav however is a car that promises to have a widespread impact on the global sedan market, including India. And it is showing results already, what with eight Car of the Year awards in Europe.
To look at from the outside, the Superb is quite frankly no less than any of the German luxury cars. A liberal wheelbase and height coupled with the trademark Skoda grille and nose crest imparts a sense of massiveness and regality at the same time. The insides are as regal as the outside as well. Brilliant quality apart, what lies inside is an unimaginable amount of space, both in the driver's vicinity and at the rear. And it doesn't stop there- the boot opens in two stages, in a regular sedan fashion for the small stuff or in true liftback fashion, where the entire rear glass rises in case you wished to put in a piano.
Engines offered are 2 petrols, the 1.8 TSI unit from the Laura and the mental 3.6 litre 4x4 powerhouse for the enthusiasts. The familiar 2.0 TDI takes care of the diesel aficionados offering a fine balance performance and economy. The Superb makes a case for the enthusiast and the chauffer driven which is quite a rare occurrence. With a class busting list of creature comforts like Touch-screen interface for the multimedia system, steering mounted controls, powered seats, side A/C vents, limousine like space and a surprising price tag, the Superb is a definite Czech-made checkmate.
Quick Facts:
Engine: 1.8 litre,TSI,inline 4
Power: 160PS@ 4500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 1500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual/7-speed DSG
Engine: 2.0 litre,TDI,inline 4
Power: 142PS@ 4200rpm
Torque: 320Nm @ 1750rpm
Transmission: 6-speed Auto
Engine: 3.6 litre,V6,4x4
Power: 260PS@ 6000rpm
Torque: 350Nm@2500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed Auto
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 2761 mm
LxWxH: 4838 x 1817 x 1462 mm
Weight: 1567-1750 kg
Variants:
Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI MT: ` 18.39 lakh
Skoda Superb 2009 1.8 TSI AT: ` 19.93 lakh
Skoda Superb 2009 2.0 TDI CR: ` 22.66 lakh
Skoda Superb 2009 3.6 FSI 4x4: ` 26.49 lakh
Cheers:
1. Limousine like space on the inside makes it the ideal chauffer driven car.
2. A range of strong engines on the other hand make it a good choice for the enthusiast as well.
Sneers:
1. A few plastic bits on the car could be better.
2. The 3.6 4x4 is an absolute guzzler no matter how one drives it.
Honourable Mentions
Nissan Teana
If its luxury what you are looking at, look no further than the new Nissan Teana. Literally a 5-star hotel on wheels, the Teana just encompasses you in a luxurious shell. The silky smooth V6 with the CVT gearbox in the meantime makes sure to provide a sublime driving experience.
Volkswagen Passat
Solid, spacious and practical. These three words define the VW Passat perfectly. The noisy Pumpe Dusse engines were recently replaced with the brilliant CRDI units that also power the Skoda’s making the Passat even more practical option.
Other Rivals
Honda Accord
The Accord is one of the oldest players in the segment and is also one of Honda’s best sellers. Smooth engines, good space and an excellent ride quality makes the big Honda a very viable option.
Toyota Camry
Toyota’s flagship sedan is a very good effort, however the car being a CBU is fairly expensive than its nearest competitors. Excellent VVTi engine makes the Camry a strong performer.
Hyundai Sonata Transform
The Hyundai Sonata took off brilliantly when it was launched. Its successors however have failed to replicate the original’s success story. The all-new model due to be out soon should change that.
