Škoda Superb 1.8TSI

In the 36 hours Wheels spent in Austria at the Škoda Superb launch, the price of a barrel of oil rose by $6 to $135(US). With every leap in the cost of crude, Škoda’s Commodore-sized sedan looked ever more intelligent. The Superb, on sale here early next year, is the left-field luxury alternative; the logical European option to combat not only hefty fuel prices, but also the establishment German luxury brands.

Australians have rarely taken to the big car/small engine philosophy that Škoda’s limousine-like Superb epitomises. Memories of the gutless, yet thirsty Commodore 4 (Holden’s knee-jerk reaction to a previous energy crisis) negatively colour the concept.

No car better reverses that long-standing image than the Superb, the third Škoda model to enter the Australian market. The local arm of the Czech Republic’s automotive brand has carefully selected three engines - two petrol and one diesel- from the six on offer in Europe.

At just over $40K, the 1.8TSI is effectively a small-capacity version of the Golf GTI engine, producing a gutsy 118kW between 5500-6500rpm and 250Nm across a band from 1800-4500rpm. It’s the first local VW Group offering to use the brilliant new seven-speed DSG gearbox (soon for the Octavia) that plays the manual and automatic role equally effectively. Despite a 1471kg mass, the Superb returns 7.6L/ 100km, and runs from 0-100km/h in 8.5sec. The engine is an aural and responsive delight, changing up at 6600rpm on a full throttle and slipping fluently between the gears.

Next up is VW’s new common-rail, 125kW 2.0-litre diesel that’s teamed with the six-speed DSG on all Australian cars. Occasionally, the DSG can be a little slow to respond, but with 350Nm between 1750-2500rpm, it cuts to 100km/h in 9.0sec and achieves a realistic 6.7L/100km consumption.

Cultured and smooth, the common-rail engine is a welcome advance over the VW’s old “pumpe” diesel technology. Mid-2009 (at the same time as a wagon version is launched in Europe), Škoda adds an all-wheel-drive model powered by VW’s narrow-angle 3.6-litre 191kW V6 shared with the Passat. Quick (0-100km/h in 6.5sec) but by Škoda standards thirsty (10L/100km) the TSI V6 will likely be priced above $60k.

In Europe, to utterly confound the Australian Big Six approach, Škoda offers the 4.8-metre-long Superb with a 1.4-litre – yes, 1.4-litre – 92kW TSI petrol engine that manages 0-100km/h in 10.5sec and a combined 6.6L/100km.

The Superb defies conventional class positioning. Given its plush appointments, a brilliant if VW-esque cabin with excellent ergonomics and Holden Statesman-like rear leg room, the Superb’s closest rival is the $75,900 front-drive Audi A6 2.0 TFSI. In terms of appointments, finish, performance, five-star safety and dynamics, the $40K Škoda more than measures up to suddenly overpriced German rivals, like the $85K BMW 523i and $88K Mercedes E200K. In terms of refinement, the Superb at least matches the competition.

Despite this, however, the still-obscure Škoda badge can’t hope to match the cache of the premium Germans, so the Superb is priced to compete with the Honda Accord Euro, Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry.

Škoda engineers claim 25 percent of the front-drive chassis is unique with specific spring, damper, bush and anti-roll bar tuning that aims for a more comfortable road manner than the equivalent VW, and is in keeping with the Superb’s sober styling and opulent character. A supple ride, well-weighted steering and relaxed handling make for an extremely comfortable car that encourages cruising.

If the Škoda has a weakness, it may be the styling. From some side-on angles the proportions of the styling look stretched and awkward, though the three quarter front nose view is impressive. However, don’t let this detract from the Superb’s achievement: this is a valuable addition to a growing Australian range that exceeds expectations and delivers a compelling argument that small, inherently economical engines can work effectively in spacious cars.

PETER ROBINSON