Škoda’s Superb Touch

Any car company that labels its new model the Superb is asking for trouble. Fortunately, the new Škoda with the Superb badge happens to be rather good.

The Czech contender arrives in Australia next year and is already raising the brand's value push by topping the Ford Mondeo as Europe's best-value big family car.

The Superb packs the most sophisticated powertrains from the Volkswagen Group in a car that is bigger than an Audi A6 but about $10,000 cheaper than an A4.

The probable price for the Superb will start about $40,000 with a 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine.

The Superb is long - almost 4.9m - and has pendulous overhangs at either end.

It has a unique body and mechanical package that combines the Passat with what will become next year's all-new Golf Mk VI.

It also has a unique two-way tail - called Twindoor - that combines a traditional boot with a high-lift hatchback.

Though it is narrower than an Australian sedan, the interior space is cavernous.

Then there is a Falcon-beating 565 litres of storage - rising to 1670 with the back seats folded flat.

The exterior design is conservative or derivative, but the interior is outstanding and as pleasant as it is capacious.

Australia will see two trim levels - Ambition and Elegance - both of which have superb standard kit, including electronic stability control, at least seven airbags and adaptive headlights.

The entry-level Superb has the VW Group's sparkling 1.8-litre direct-injection turbo petrol engine.

Ignore the small capacity and its modest 118kW and 250Nm because all the torque is grabbed from a diesel-like low of 1500 revs, getting the 1.454 tonne front-wheel driver from standing to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.

Driven with restraint, it will use as little as 7.6 litres/100km and emit 180g of CO₂ a kilometre, though it does need premium unleaded.

The newest Škoda uses the newest form of the manual-matic Direct Shift Gearbox.

It has a seventh forward gear to assist pace off the mark and provide a leaner-running top ratio.

The 1.8 TSI Superb will be launched with a counterpart using VW's latest four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel.

With 125kW, this edition of the 2.0 TDI has 350Nm, making for mighty mid-range acceleration.

This car should be in the low to mid-$40,000s.

On the road

AN INTRODUCTORY drive in cold Austria last week revealed a quiet, composed and dynamically competent performer with any of the transversely mounted engines.

The diesel’s torque equals that of the V6 petrol, but the DSG’s propensity to leap into top gear for economy’s sake means you need to constantly change down manually or engage sport for the sake of pressing on.

Left alone, it can deliver 6.0 litres/100km with poise and predictability, leaving the growling and snarling to the 3.6-litre top model.

Up-gunned from the 3.2-litre job found elsewhere in the VW group, the newer version has a top end to match its low-down urge – and the sound to match.

Though 100 per cent of the torque goes through the front wheels in straight-ahead driving, in tough stuff it shifts all 350Nm to the back through a Haldex coupling which is key to the all-wheel-drive system.

Response is sharp, though you’re always aware that you’re trying to turn 1665kg.

It helps that the electrically assisted power steering is weighted just about perfectly.

The brakes on all version, though, are overserved to the extent that smooth progress in slow going is a challenge.

The pick of the Superbs is the entry-level car with that 1.8-litre turbo. It proves capacity remains a measure of performance only in the US and Australia.

Next to the more-hesitant six-speed DSGs standard in the diesel and V6, the TSI’s enhanced transmission noticeably improves response off the mark and rewards with a raspy engine note.

So the Superb looks likely to be a success as both a brand-building exercise and as a family car for the times.