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Skoda Superb

Superb

Make: Skoda

Model: Superb

Released: Jan 1970

Discontinued: Feb 2016

Skoda logo1 Aug 2009

By LUCIANO PAOLINO

SKODA’S flagship Superb arrives in Australia for the first time, pitched directly at upstream Australian and Japanese large sedans, with pricing that’s also similar to the closely-related Volkswagen Passat range.

Available as a single five-door liftback with the unique combination of opening a traditional rear bootlid or a large rear hatch, the Superb comes powered by Volkswagen’s latest turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, all mated to six and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

Launched at $42,990, the front-drive 1.8 TSI Ambition opens the Superb range with a 118kW/250Nm 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine, while the mid-range Superb 2.0 TDI ($45,990) runs VW’s up-spec 125kW/350Nm turbo-diesel four and the top-shelf all-wheel drive 3.6 FSI Elegance 4x4 ($56,990) scores a 191kW/350Nm petrol V6.

The big and somewhat bold Superb delivers stand-out refinement and build quality, a notably big and versatile boot, Statesman-like rear seat accommodation and German engineering with a Czech badge. It’s well worth a test drive if you’re in the market for a Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Aurion, Holden Berlina or Ford G6.

In May 2010 Skoda rolled out the long-awaited wagon version of the Superb.

Mirroring the oddball TwinDoor five-door sedan range of direct-injection EU5 emissions meeting petrol and diesel models, the Wagon comes with 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.

Bodily speaking, the big Skoda is completely different 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 1865L with the split/fold rear bench folded down. To aid loading the sill is a low 600mm off the ground.

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 Superb sedan will instantly recognise the engines on offer in the Wagon – 118kW/250Nm 1.8L 118TSI petrol, 125kW/350Nm 2.0L 103TDI, and 191kW/350Nm 3.6L 191FSI.

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1st of January 1970

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