Skoda Superb 2002 test drive - 2008 -

To the class above

If cars could speak, they would not have asked for a test in my picky hands, but to any other, more loyal tester, ready to forgive the mistakes of the ward. But, alas, Skoda Superb silently and dutifully revealed her doors to the Square journalist ...
Assessing the new Skoda, it was quite difficult to remain impartial. On the one hand, the stereotype pressed: Skoda is the same Volkswagen, but made in the Czech Republic. That is, a good duplicate Passat of the standard of its class, but still a secondary thing, a derivative of the original. On the other hand, it excited interest: how realistic is it to take a new undeveloped niche to the company, which has been specializing in the production of inexpensive compact machines for a long time? The main thing that needs to be explained, Superb is not a copy of Passat at all. The car is much longer, and this was not achieved by a dumb stretching of the body due to the rear doorway, but by lengthening the entire middle. The increase in the base entailed the processing of the same circular roof and doors, and most importantly, it was possible to reach those common dimensions (including the salon), in which the line between the classes D and E, on which the German counterpart balanced, is still crossed by the Czech. And what is needed in order to release a larger car at the price of a smaller dimension? The first thing that comes to mind is to worsen quality and cut the list of equipment. From this sad assumption and we will start.
Outwardly, Superb does not fascinate or upset. A characteristic Skodov grate allows, when looking strictly in the forehead, even confusing it with Octavia. But the proud Superb name on the trunk lid, coupled with the V6 2.8 tuning trough, explains availablely that you have a novelty. The first copy of this model, which arrived in Moscow for a pre -sale demonstration, should be super -charged according to the logic of things. And it should be noted that everyone who took a place behind the wheel immediately portrayed complete bliss and pleasure. Everything has everything in the car. It is extremely convenient to land on profiled seats with good populated support, which is so lacking in the chairs of many other machines. Salon skin with fabric, light bottom black top (matte panel does not glance in the windshield). We especially note the height of the cabin in the central part, where the ceiling is the most, can be accommodated in a high hat: the curvature of the Superbian roof is the same as the passato, but not only the length, but also the height. However, it is worth moving back, as you recall the designers with not the best words, sloping forms force tall riders or squeeze their heads in the shoulders, or tighten their legs. By the way, in the interior of the Superb, the record holder between the two rows of seats as much as the spaciousness that you can take the position or pose that will be wished.
If you return to the starting position, then you note not in particular, the underbuilding, but the general principle that combines the details of the interior, the highest quality of study of all elements, minimizing the cracks and joints, the warm kindness of materials caressing the hand, and the convenient location of all elements. The music control buttons are put on the steering wheel in the last fashion, and the steering wheel itself has a convenient grip. In the darkness of the eye, a lot of small sources of soft light pleases, in the buttons and even in the handles of the doors so as not to miss. And the hearing delights the excellent acoustics of the Symphony radio, supplemented by a 6-disk chainer, located directly on the instrument panel. Convenient boxing box is convenient, adjustable both in length and in the corner of inclination. And the wooden panels-star panels, far from luxury of samovar gold, are truly emphasized by the imposing and solid style of the first Czech business class sedan over the past half century. (The rear-engine Tatra were rather representative, and the pre-war Skoda Superb, which came out in 1934, went out of production along with the advent of socialism in the 47th.)
Of course, the power of two hundred forces implies good dynamics. But Superb in acceleration is still somehow easy and rapid, accelerating even faster than you expect from it. Clear switching the box, a quiet, even rumble of the motor only strengthen the confidence that you are moving precisely by the business class. The connection of the trajectory with the steering wheel is iron, and the rolls are minimal. With such strict behavior, reasonable assumptions are confirmed about a noticeably hard suspension that moderately monitor the small joints of the roadway. What pleased was a hydraulic booster that leaves the driver the opportunity to feel the angle of rotation of the wheels not only by changing the direction of movement, but also by the reverse reaction of the steering wheel. It is important, the braking is soft and decisive in terms of efficiency and adequacy of pressing the pedal also surpasses all expectations. In its technical qualities, the new Skoda causes a lot of positive emotions. The atmosphere of the cabin in the charged version of 2.8 liters is comparable only with expensive top models of leading firms. And some external modesty is very impressed by those who do not want (or shy) to stick out their own well -being. The main question is price. The presented sample is threatened to sell for $ 32,000. This is more than acceptable for a solid, completely equipped sedan. And Superb with a simple engine of 1.8 t 150 hp. And the reasonable minimum of the options will cost somewhere a little of 20 thousand. As they say, almost for nothing. No kidding.
P.S. When the photographer and I chose a place for shooting, we did not decide that we could not find the best background than the internal territory of the Czech embassy. Thanks to Mr. Tomashek, we easily received permission to work in the Czech Republic. The mission employees politely asked to attend. Indeed, while in Moscow, diplomats, of course proud of such a symbol of success as Superb, have not yet been able to verify his virtues with their own eyes. And the solid uncles, as they say, with a full office parade, took turns climbing into the salon and jumped from place to place, like playing children. There was no end to enthusiasm ...
Text Vladimir Smirnov
Photo Alexander Nozdrin
 

Source: Cars