Small but muscular a Škoda tactic

WHAT do Fiat, Renault and Škoda have in common? All have returned to Australia during the past few years to an indifferent welcome. Until 12 months ago vehicle sales were enjoying an extended boom and they saw an opportunity to make hay in a market seemingly infatuated by European-ness. They positioned themselves below the premium brands and targeted Europhiles on a budget.

Perhaps the starting price was still too high because they have failed to make an impact. Renault has struggled to sell 3000 cars a year and, despite having the appealing retro 500 in its range, Fiat’s bestseller is a van. Škoda, the latest returnee, has found just 1300 buyers in 18 months.

Despite their popularity in Europe, all are struggling against Japanese brands such as Mazda and Subaru, which have a firm grasp on what appeals to middle-of-the-road Aussie motorists. But it’s not because they have nothing to offer, and Škoda is one of the most promising of the returnees.

Starting in the 1990s, its image received a makeover courtesy of the Volkswagen group, which bought the Czech maker and helped it shed a reputation as an Iron Curtain casualty. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength in Europe as a brand positioned just below Volkswagen itself.

Its return here has relied on only two models (mainly the Octavia, see below) but by the end of next year there will be five models in its range. These will include its Fabia small hatchback and the Yeti small SUV.

Škoda began its expansion this week with the most challenging idea in its range; a large luxury sedan which, at entry level, is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or 2.0-litre diesel. By Australian standards those are small engines for a car of this size.

On price, the Superb starts above the cheapest locally built six-cylinder offerings from Holden, Ford and Toyota. It’s also more expensive than the imported large cars from Honda, Nissan and Hyundai.

However, Škoda believes the Superb is positioned to catch the first wave of a trend towards smaller-capacity engines in large sedans. The local makers are all working on more economical units for the Commodore, Falcon and Camry, with the goal drawing buyers back to the segment. With the Superb, Škoda has something to offer right now.

Like its parent Volkswagen it hopes to make inroads into the fleet market, which is increasingly looking at alternatives to the local sixes. Whether it succeeds will depend on its ability to deliver service as well as economy, and Škoda is adding after-sales dealers around the country to cope.

Škoda boss Matthew Weisner believes the main challenge remains the brand itself, although recent surveys by the company showed 60 percent were now aware of it. He also pointed to a sales increase of 17 per cent year-to-date as evidence that Škoda was making progress. “The market’s tough and we’re coming off a low base,” he said at the launch of the Superb this week. “But we’re beyond where we thought we’d be.”

The Superb is built on a stretched Octavia platform and both share the Volkswagen Group’s excellent turbocharged 1.8 four-cylinder. Despite its small capacity, this unit is more than capable of powering the 1.6 tonne Superb and its partnership with the seven-speed double-clutch transmission means it’s frugal as well, averaging 8.4 litres per 100km.

The diesel, more powerful than the one in the Octavia, doesn’t struggle either and returns 6.9l/100km. Both make the V6 look a bit expensive.

The suspension settings default to comfort, although a sports set-up is available. Refinement levels are competitive.

As with the Octavia, though, the Superb’s practicality is one of its chief selling points. The cabin doesn’t feel as wide as some large cars but leg and headroom, front and rear, is generous. Its party trick, though, is a unique boot-tailgate arrangement that means the Superb can be a sedan one minute, hatchback the next. A regular hinged lid allows access to the 565-litre boot. For awkward loads, the boot lid and rear glass lock together to form a tailgate that hinges from the roof. It’s clever, and with the seats folded down there’s 1670 litres of station wagon-style room.

The Superb also comes well-equipped for the price, with nine airbags standard and clever adaptive headlights. These shine into corners, and widen or lengthen the beam depending on speed and weather conditions.

Compared with the Octavia, the Superb is a more complete and accomplished design even if it looks utterly traditional. A more convincing grille – and less plasticky – would help its cause, as would optioning to bigger wheels.

But as the affordable face of luxury, the Octavia makes a positive first impression.

Need to know

Škoda Superb
Vehicle: Large luxury sedan
Engine: 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 3.6-litre V6 petrol
Outputs: 118kW at 4500rpm and 250Nm at 1500rpm (1.8)
125kW at 4200rpm and 350Nm at 1750rpm (diesel)
191kW at 6000rpm and 350Nm at 2500rpm (V6)
Transmissions: Seven-speed double clutch automatic (1.8) or six speed double clutch automatic (diesel, V6). Front wheel drive or all-wheel drive (V6)
Price: From $42,990 (1.8 Ambition) to $56,990 (3.6 Elegance) plus on-roads
On sale: Now