Green beauty... The grille of the Superb underwent minor modifications for better aerodynamics.  

The latest Czech flagship convinced us that “green” driving can indeed be beautiful. As we told you already on these pages, the big Skoda impresses with classic and yet very personal styling, impeccable finish, roominess and comfort. We wanted to know how the car behaves with the 105 hp 1.9 litre Diesel engine, which is tuned to emit only 136grammes of CO2 per km. Already on the first drive home from the importer, the car truly baffled us in these first kilometers with an average consumption of a mere 4 litres per 100 km.

We admit that driving away from Brussels city on the Laeken boulevards, we used the excellent low rev characteristics so typical of this 1.9 litre Diesel power unit, and on the motorway home a temporary smog speed limit of 90 km/h was respected, but the result is truly astonishing nevertheless, considering that the “Green Line” Superb comes equipped with ‘only’ the 5 speed gearbox.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Frugal excellence

The following days of our test we continued to use the lower revs, which the engine takes beautifully in its stride without the slightest vibration. Thanks to the excellent torque of the engine, - some 250 Nm at 1900 rpm - the 1.5 tonne car never feels underpowered or sluggish, and what’s even better - during the test the consumption never passed the 5 litre per 100 km mark.

The shape of the Superb is pleasing to say the least...  

The ratios of the smooth changing box are very well adapted to the torque curve of the engine. Motorway driving is a delight with the Diesel engine being barely audible, and the excellent high speed characteristics and behavior of chassis and suspension make for very relaxed cruising. Of course, the great know-how of the VAG concern is very much felt in this car, down to for example the excellent functioning of the cruise control, or the digital heating/ventilation, to name but a few.

We came to appreciate the truly outstanding roominess of the Superb, and the formidable dimensions of the boot: be careful not to stow objects to deep into the trunk, as you will almost have to climb into the car or to bend completely over the (sometimes dirty?) rear bumper to get to desired object, which might be just your raincoat…

The cavernous (565 litres) boot can be opened by a “normal” boot lid, but there is also a “full opening mode”, where the rear window also folds open. Put the rear seats down, and you have the load carrying space of a small van…

Silent, flexible, smooth, powerful yet very frugal indeed: the exemplary power unit of the "Green Line" version was very convincing...

Just a few words about the performance: the top speed is in the region of 190 km/h, and 0 to 100 is absolved in 12.5 seconds. But it is the available power in the intermediate gears, despite the fact that for the “Green Line” version higher ratios are chosen, which pleases most.

The well-designed instrument clusters of the Superb add to the aura of noble luxury...

The Skoda engineers have of course done some further fine-tuning to improve the economy of the car, besides setting up the engine management for economy instead of power. The front grille has been altered at some very minor points to improve the aerodynamics, and the car’s suspension has been lowered by some 15 mm.

The styling treatment of the rear window surround is reminiscent of some cars from Munich...

We also drove the Skoda Superb with the 2.0 TDI “Pumpedüse” or pump nozzle engine, developing some 140 (in some countries 136) horsepower, combined with the six speed gearbox. The car impresses with excellent performance in all circumstances, but as one tends to drive the car more briskly as the “green” version, test consumption was naturally higher, stayed however with an overall average of around 6,3 litres per 100 km still within very conservative limits.

A fast trip to Paris, (the car is actually photographed here before les Invalides), showed us again the delightful Grand Touring capacities of the car…

We will soon put the 1.4 TSI version through its paces, and check on a longer test distance whether the engine confirms the excellent impression it made at the presentation drive, as you already will have read elsewhere on this site…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The Superb proudly bears the symbol of the marque...

A styling emblem for the latest Skoda range: the model name is engraved in the headlights. 

The "Green Line" version achieves excellent economy with an altered  5 speed gearbox.

The finish is impressive down to the details.