Škoda Superb V6 4x4

Škoda’s “simply clever” mantra leaves little room for indulgence. Positioned as a price-point alternative to both the mid-sized Japanese fours and Aussie big sixes, the Superb is a full-size car that packs efficient drivetrain technologies. Based on a stretched Octavia platform, it’s seemingly conservative to the core.

Yet for all Škoda’s pragmatism and sensibilities, it’s nice to know the Czechs can go on a bit of a bender once in a while, as evidenced by this $56,990 V6 4x4 flagship – a sort of Eastern European Caprice or 300C.

Time for max power, all-wheel-drive dynamics, extra visual bling, and indulgent equipment levels; to the weeds with honest efficiency, budget pricing and unpretentious spec levels.

With its powerful, swivelling xenon headlamps switched on at dusk, aggressive 18-inch machined alloys filling the guards, and purposeful quad exhausts, the dopey-eyed Superb is transformed, adding visual muscle to its stately 4.8-metre long body. It drew more than a few inquisitive glances.

Inside, you’re blinded by chrome and woodgrain, but smitten by the lush leather seats, slick climate controls, and fab touch-screen audio with a seriously cranking 10 speakers and 400 watts. Like all Superbs, the rear seat deserves its own postcode, and, in this spec, rear passengers even score seat heaters.

Shown a set of curves, it’s surprising to find that the big boy can fairly hustle, too. Stringing corners together is like waging war between grip and grunt and size and mass, but there’s no spilt blood or macabre consequences. The 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 (shared with Passat R36) is an absolute gem, with 350Nm on tap from 2500-5000rpm, and the six-speed DSG is both fluent in normal mode and adept to shuffling between ratios in Sport. The sticky Continental tyres provide copious amounts of front-end grip and the all-wheel-drive system gives you the confidence to get on the throttle early; with variable torque distribution, it can send all drive to the rear axle if required, replacing potential understeer with mild degrees of rear-steer.

Yep, the V6 4x4 is a surprisingly raunchy luxo limo when you’re hard up it, but it won’t show you much sympathy when the road turns nasty. It seems the spring and damper rates that work well with lesser models’ taller profile 16-inch tyres aren’t as well attuned with low-profile 18s. The suspension thumps hard over sharp-edged imperfections, yet the nose lollops as the dampers struggle to rein in large impacts. It’s way too firm everywhere for this class of car.

So smart buyers will obviously choose the more value-focused, smoother-riding 1.8 TSI or 2.0 TDI Superbs. But if you’re part of the Czech Republican mafia (if they have one) chasing late payments, or like me enjoy the perversity of punting a boardroom on wheels, then its mix of sharp dynamics, rapid performance and cabin opulence make it surprisingly tempting, if not sensibly efficient.

Model Škoda Superb V6 4x4
Engine 3597cc V6, dohc, 24v
Max Power 191kW @ 6000rpm
Max Torque 350Nm @ 2500-5000rpm
Transmission 6-speed dual-clutch
0-100km/h 6.5sec (claimed)
Price $56,990
On sale Now