The name tells the story

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When a car company calls one of its products the Superb, it had better be just that, and as IAN CRAWFORD writes, ŠKODA’s new offering does not disappoint.

The third-generation ŠKODA Superb has arrived. It comes in two guises – Ambition and Elegance. Two petrol versions and one turbo-diesel are
on offer.

Not to be constrained by limiting ŠKODA Australia’s perception of the car’s competitors, local management sees – with good reason – that the Superb can challenge the premium European brands as well as Japanese and Australian offerings.

Since its resurrection in Australia, ŠKODA has slowly but surely sold more cars as marketplace awareness has grown. In an Australian market that on a year-to-date basis is down by around 23 per cent on last year, ŠKODA sales have risen – albeit off a low base – by 17 per cent.

This compares with brands such as Renault, down by 70.4 per cent and Volvo, down by 43.1 per cent.

The Superb Ambition, powered by a 1.8lt turbocharged petrol engine, kicks off the pricing table at $42,990 plus dealer delivery and statutory charges. The engine that drives the front wheels is good for 118kW of peak power between 4500rpm and 6200rpm and maximum torque of 250Nm at between 1500rpm and 4500rpm.

Transmission via the VW group’s great seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and ŠKODA claims a combined fuel-consumption figure of 8.4lt/100km, a CO₂-emissions figure of 200g/km and a sprint time to 100km/h of 8.5 seconds.

Next in the pricing order is the $45,990 2lt TDI turbo-diesel Ambition that boasts 125kW of power at 4200rpm and a handy peak torque figure of 350Nm from a relaxed 1750rpm to 2500rpm.

This version’s combined fuel-consumption figure is 6.9lt and the CO₂ figure is 182g/km.

There are three versions of the higher-specified Elegance model. Pricing starts at $45,990 for the 1.8lt TSI petrol engine and rises by $3000 for the 2lt turbo-diesel, which uses a six-speed DSG transmission.

The range-topping $56,990 Elegance is powered by a 3.6lt V6 FSI direct-injection petrol engine that is mated with a six-speed DSG. It comes with the added safety and sure-footedness of four-wheel drive.

This engine can sprint the Superb to 100km/h in a slippery 6.5 seconds and take it on to a top speed of 250km/h.

Torque distribution for the permanent all-wheel-drive system is designed to be variable. With clever monitoring during normal driving traction conditions, 100 per cent of the power goes to the front axle, but when the system senses the need, all 350Nm of torque can be sent to the rear wheels.

The new Superb is built on a stretched version of the ŠKODA Octavia platform. The car is 4838mm long, 1817mm wide and 1462mm high.

Even the Ambition models come with an impressive inventory of standard goodies. Included are nine airbags, electronic stability program, dual-zone climate-control air conditioning, front foglights with a corner function, tyre-pressure monitoring, an electrically adjustable dimming and folding rear-vision mirror, rear-parking sensors, a multi-function height- and reach-adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-speaker audio system, heated front seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers and ŠKODA’s patented rear TwinDoor.

At the touch of a button, TwinDoor cleverly converts the Superb from a sedan to a liftback and gives the car enormous rear-loading flexibility.

Designed by ŠKODA engineers, the system means that either the boot lid alone or boot lid and the rear window can be opened.

With the latter configuration, the “mouth” of the boot almost doubles in size – just the thing for loading bulkier cargo.

When the rear seat backs are in an upright position, the boot can handle 565lt of luggage, but when they are folded forward this increases to a station-wagon-like 1670lt.

Those who buy the Elegance, can look forward to adaptive bi-xenon headlights, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function for the driver, a 400W audio system with a 10-channel amplifier and 10 speakers, an alarm system with interior monitoring and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The range-topping Elegance gets 18-inch alloys, leather/artificial leather-trimmed seats and a rear boot-mounted spoiler.

Despite the extensive standard-kit menu, there is a range of options for the Superb, including a $2290 solar sunroof that can reduce the car’s interior temperature by as much as 25 degrees C, metallic/pearl-effect paint, ($990), park assist (including front parking-distance control) at a bargain-priced $890, and satellite navigation.

There’s no denying the new Superb has a handsome road presence – there was plenty of head-turning from other drivers when we were out on the road.

Climb into the car and you can’t help but be impressed by the spaciousness and abundant head room even for taller occupants.

The car’s interior treatment is stylish and beautifully finished. Its quality is right up there with anything else from Europe or top-spec Japanese offerings.

For the driver the main dials are big and easy to read, with their black background and white numbers. The steering wheel, with height and reach adjustment, ensures the perfect driving position can be found.

The front seats, be they fabric or leather, are sports-like in their design. Great hip, thigh and back bolstering holds you firmly but comfortably in place during the enthusiastic cornering.

Behind the wheel in Sydney city traffic, the Superb diesel’s torque came into its own at the lights. Out on the open road, hills and overtaking were a breeze.

Steering feel is precise and well-weighted and there was plenty of feel in corners to keep you informed and relaxed.

There’s even an umbrella tucked away inside the rear left-hand-door trim. The only other car I can think of with that feature is a Rolls Royce.

ŠKODA Australia expects to have a local network of 25 dealers and 40 service centres by the end of the year as well as and plans are to grow the number of dealerships to 35 over the next five years.