2010 Škoda Superb 5-dr Wagon Range
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May 2010 - GoAuto.com.au – by BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS 21/05/2010
Our opinion
QUICK! In 10 seconds, name the best Holden ever. Need time to think? How about the greatest BMW of all time? No can do? Ferrari then? Cannot possibly decide right away?
For many of us it is not easy choosing the star number one car from a brand's back catalogue, especially in a hurry … unless we're talking about Skoda.
That's right. Because the new Superb Wagon is, hands down (and even after our all-too-short first taster), the best production vehicle the Volkswagen Czech marque has ever made. No ifs, no buts. And this is from an outfit in existence since 1895.
Now, in this context, we define 'best' as the model we'd choose ahead of both anything within a car-maker's range as well as among similarly-priced competition. And on both counts the largest ever Skoda scores a decisive victory.
Sampled over urban and rural Victorian country roads over just one sunny day, the VW-based newcomer (current Passat underpinnings mixed with lots of latest Golf gear) is the sort of big roomy wagon you might have once associated with Volvo, Saab or even any pre-VE Commodore. Indeed, we hear that Skoda is really aiming to secure customer types that may have once aspired to the Swedish marques. And there are still plenty of ageing 240s, 740s and 9-5s needing replacement.
That's nothing to scoff at either since the virtues of solidity, quality and skip-loads of space abound in the square-backed Superb. It also looks a whole lot less clumsy than the odd if oddly appealing TwinDoor liftback model.
Let's consider that tailgate area for a mo. It's vast in length, a triumph in depth, comes complete with a handy amount of height. Fork out for the $370 False Floor that slides several centimetres out of the car to aid loading and unloading and you're in wagon heaven.
It isn't quite Commodore Sportwagon-wide, and the dying Falcon wagon probably shades it overall, but in every other load area calculation it pretty much annihilates the Holden and Ford Mondeo (a favourite of ours) that Skoda is preying on with the entry level Ambition 118TSI (petrol) and 125TDI (diesel). This Czech's cargo hold could solve Australia's affordable housing crisis!
What we're saying, then, is that if you have low-$40s to splash out on a big wagon, you mustn't overlook the Superb.
But the Skoda doesn't skimp in other key roles: for refinement, luxury and efficiency, it easily runs with the premium and luxury Euro 'estate' ensemble that in many instances cost heaps more.
Need convincing? A quick snapshot of the conservative but classy cabin might do the trick.
Volkswagen levels of feel-good surfaces, beautifully presented instrumentation, excellent attention to detail, easy to reach and use controls, well-shaped seats, acres of front and rear-seat space (including a vast amount of back legroom), a generous amount of standard goodies, and practicality galore are all Superb hallmarks.
Sure, there is nothing too exciting visually inside, but this is a step up from a Commodore or Mondeo in perception of quality. Volkswagen's own Passat pales in comparison too.
We drove a pair of the front-drive 118TSI and 125TDI Elegance examples but sadly missed on the 191FSI 4x4 flagship.
The 125TDI is expected to be the big seller, and it does an effortless job hauling the Superb along, with pace and parsimony provided in equal measure across the rural landscape.
But we reckon the surprise package is the base petrol unit, because it is unbelievably sweet and smooth and quiet. Yes, the 103TDI is all these things too – for a diesel – but the refinement meter soars meteorically in the 118TSI.
An extra bonus is its lighter nose that seems to improve on the Superb's already alert steering and agile handling characteristics.
Of course, this car needs to be sampled around town to unearth any ride quality issues (we suspect there might be some firmness on cars wearing the optional 18-inch alloys), but the Skoda's generally quiet and cosseting qualities (some road noise intrusion was present over coarser bitumen) during our country-road sojourn were taken as generally promising omens.
So we think, new car buyers of Australia, you may have to mentally rearrange your brand perceptions thanks to Skoda's latest family car.
Fit for purpose, fun to drive, cosy to sit inside, highly efficient mechanically, undeniably safe and secure, and a bargain compared to other large carryalls, the Superb Wagon represents something of a milestone for the company as well as compelling value for consumers.
That's why it rates already as the best Skoda in history. We have every confidence that further exposure will only deepen our respect for this most underrated large car.
Launch Story
SKODA is serious about making an impact in the Australian large-car segment against the popular Holden Commodore Sportwagon with the new Superb Wagon.
The Skoda wagon range kicks off from $40,990 for the 118TSI Ambition, mirroring the oddball TwinDoor five-door sedan range of direct-injection Euro 5 emissions-qulified petrol and diesel models.
That's $2000 more than the $38,990 Superb sedan equivalent, which – along with the $41,990 125TDI Ambition – is now $1000 cheaper than before.
But the gap with the sedan is halved when you factor in the wagon's standard issue Park Assist feature that uses radar to help guide and manoeuvre the car into a suitable parallel spot.
"This is one of its unique selling points," says Skoda Australia product manager Petr Beneda.
All Superb wagons have nine airbags, ESC stability and traction control, front fog lights with a cornering action, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, integrated roof bars, tyre pressure monitors, heated front seats, auto-on lights, rain-sensing wipers, and an umbrella socket in one of the side rear doors, as well as the usual cruise control, electric windows, remote central locking, CD/MP3 audio, tilt/reach steering wheel adjuster, driver's seat-height raiser and a multi-function trip computer.
SkodaSuperb center imageBodily speaking, the wagon is completely new from the B-pillars back, boasting a deliberately conservative but typically neat Volkswagen Group 'estate' silhouette. Its length, width and height measurements come to 4838mm, 1817mm and 1462mm respectively make it a longer and taller vehicle than the sedan.
With all five seats in situ, the cargo capacity is 633 litres, expanding to a large-car league 1865 litres with the split/fold rear bench folded. To aid loading, the sill is a low 600mm off the ground.
Luggage hooks and cargo floor and tailgate illumination with a magnetised rechargeable torch are also included, while an optional rail system with movable restrainers, an electrically powered tailgate and a 'dummy' second floor with an 80kg rating that slides out 50mm to further facilitate packing are available.
To address increases in weight and payload the rear axle now has dampers fitted with anti-vibration attachments that also curb noise transmission into the cabin, while the ESC and ABS anti-lock braking system has been recalibrated.
Based on the current-generation Volkswagen Passat platform, the Wagon follows its sedan stablemate in using a transverse engine arrangement driving either the front wheels (four-cylinder models) or all four wheels (in the Haldex-equipped V6 4x4) via a dual-clutch DSG gearbox.
Australians familiar with most of the latest Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda powerplants will recognise the engines on offer in the Superb Wagon.
A 1798cc 1.8-litre turbocharged twin-cam direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 118kW of power at 5000rpm and 250Nm of torque from 1500 to 4500rpm motivates the 118TSI.
On 95 RON premium unleaded, it urges the 1583kg wagon to 100km/h from standstill in 8.6 seconds on the way to a 218km/h top speed, while the combined average fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions ratings are a respective 7.5 litres per 100km and 173 grams per kilometre.
This is the only Superb variant to employ the DQ250 seven-speed DSG gearbox – with the '250' denoting the torque max in Newton metres.
The others employ the DQ350 six-speed DSG, with the only diesel version – the 103TDI – expected to account for the lion's share of Superb sales.
Its 1968cc common-rail, direct-injection four-cylinder unit pumps out 125kW at 4200rpm and 350Nm from 1750 to 2000rpm, to pull the 1627kg 103TDI to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds and the same top speed as the four-pot petrol. Skoda says 6.6L/100km and 175g/km lows are possible with this turbo-diesel.
Finally there's the 1777kg Superb Wagon flagship – the 191FSI Elegance V6 4x4.
For your $57,990 you get a direct-injection double overhead cam 3597cc V6 petrol engine capable of 191kW at 6000rpm, 350Nm from 2500 to 5000rpm, 6.6s for the 0-100km/h-sprint time, 247km/h, 10.4L/100km and 242g/km. As per the sedan, the wagon's suspension is via a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, with four-wheel disc brakes and an electro-mechanical power steering system.
Since its launch in May last year, more than 90 per cent of Superb sedan buyers have chosen the Elegance trim, which includes Bi-Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights with an active cornering function, an electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory, leather upholstery, parking distance control, an alarm, upgraded audio system and satellite navigation. But the base wagon's Commodore positioning means that Skoda expects the Ambition to raise its market share considerably.
Among the options are a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, roller blinds, sports suspension, an automatic cargo cover release, and keyless entry and go (due at the end of the year).
To the end of April, just 43 Superbs were registered in Australia, adding to the 123 sold in Australia in 2009.
Skoda hopes to skim sales from the Commodore Sportwagon as well as wagon versions of the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6 with the lower-end models, while the Elegance cars are bridging the middle ground between these and the Volvo V70/XC70.
Overview
WE can scarcely overstate how promising the new Superb Wagon is shaping up to be.
On sale now from $40,990 to $57,990, the supersized Skoda at last realises the potential of the vast Volkswagen Group by offering family car buyers a vehicle that aces it for space, comfort, efficiency, refinement, safety, value and – perhaps most unexpectedly – desirability.
Imagine a prettier VW Passat with better packaging, or a less-expensive Audi A6 Avant with better ride and steering, and you will get a clearer picture of what this Czech upstart is all about.
Whether it is a Mazda6 wagon or a Mercedes E-class Estate you are considering, we recommend you try on the Superb for size before you buy.
Model release date: May 2010