Skoda Superb 2002 test drive - 2008 -

Super-Skoda

We are used to the fact that Skoda is mainly in our republic used by Felicia, in a huge number flickering on the roads, and magnificent Octavia, combining European quality and acceptable price. The idea that Czech cars are intended mainly for the middle class was strengthened in our minds to the appearance of another bestseller - a compact Skoda Fabia, has been accepting in the markets of eastern and Western Europe for several years in a row for several years in a row. But recently, and we still have to get used to it, Skoda is also a manufacturer of representative business class sedans, because the new model of this company, called Superb, refers precisely to that market sector where (so far) the scan of sedans rule the ball BMW 5th series and Mercedes E-class. It was not by chance that I wrote so far, because with the advent of the new Skoda Superb, the arranged in this market sector can change very much, up to the point that a new leader may appear there in the very near future. And after reading this article, you will probably understand who claims to this role ...
 
Skoda Superb - the car is simply unique. Firstly, because it is the largest Skoda car over the past half century, and secondly, because with its appearance a new flagship finally erases the border between medium and large classes. Skoda has recently, namely, with the advent of Octavia and Fabia models, designated its intention to make border cars - those that are in their sizes, and sometimes step into a higher class. And if, using the example of the above models, this looked simply convincing, then the new Skoda Superb, formally competing with the Audi A6 and BMW 5, more than clearly demonstrates its advantages.
 
To begin with, Superb is more than the above rivals in size, which means that it is already closer to the representative class. But the price remained typically Skodovskaya - with high assembly quality, characteristic of all models of this brand, Skoda Superb is noticeably cheaper than the same VW Passat in similar configuration, and this applies equally to simple and sophisticated versions.
 
Because of this car, I almost had an accident ... Actually, I am a rather attentive driver, but when an unusual, slightly similar to the passato, only incredibly long and wide, flashed in a tight stream somewhere in the oncoming lane. I just could not help but make him a look to make sure that it was a really new Skoda Superb. It’s not difficult to find out the novelty: somehow, the designers managed to achieve that even when you see Superb for the first time in their lives, you immediately understand that this is a big Skoda, beautiful and solid. So I stared at Superb, forgetting where I am. Naturally, according to the law of meanness, it was at this very moment that some kind of cadett’s battered life decided to rebuild in my strip, despite the significant difference in speeds. Of course, I managed to brake, and, mentally praising myself for the timely diagnosis of the brake system, I looked at the silver sedan disappearing in the rear -view mirrors. However, not only one of me - several drivers, neighbors in the stream, also did not leave him this unusual car - they were clearly interested in a new car.
 
The fact that the interest in the new flagship of the Czech company is unusually great, I had the opportunity to make sure a few days later. We were given the latest Skoda Superb for the test! And far from the easiest. The range of power units offered for this car begins with a 1.8-liter 150-horsepower engine, and we were provided for the test 2.8 V6, which is equipped with a 193-horsepower six-cylinder engine, well known to us from other models of the VW concern. And barely leaving the dealer’s salon, we were listening in the center - almost every second driver of a passing or even oncoming car, our dark green sedan looked at. Perhaps due to the fact that a large false radiator, the grate visually makes Superb much wider than it actually is, and, perhaps, due to the fact that with external resemblance to the common Superb, it looks simply huge and long limousine. The only reproach for the designers - the back of the car also needed to somehow be individualized, because typically passatical rear lights made in the Skodov -style, for this, is clearly not enough: the similarity of models in the back and three quarters is simply striking.
 
On the side of the new Skoda Superb is also very similar to the modern VW Passat, on the basis of which it is made. True, the basis for the Czech limousine was not the well -known B5 to our motorists, but its long -border version. The Passat platform has a wheelbase elongated by 100 mm, and all these additional centimeters of the car length fell on the back of the cabin. In other words, Skoda Superb is a limousine -sneaker, only it was made, unlike the rest of the limousines, right at the factory, and not in a tunity studio.
 
Naturally, such an extraordinary move, namely, the use of an elongated platform, made it possible to turn Superb into an incredibly spacious car, which is similar in terms of comfort and the supply of internal space to German representative models with the Lang index. But if these same representative models with an elongated base are offered only to order, and a regular, short -minded car is considered as the main option, then Skoda Superb is produced only with a long body. And this is very good - the car turned out to be really incredibly spacious, and so that in this case we can talk about direct competition with higher classes.
 
Well, how? - First of all, I asked me a friend whom we accidentally met during the photography of Superb. He himself goes to business class model and is very proud that there is more than enough space in his car. Of course, one could tell him about the incredible advantages of this car, but I always prefer more convincing, rather than an empty conversation, arguments. Therefore, he simply opened the back door for him: sit down, they say. What he told me after he sat down on the back sofa and completely extended his legs, I can’t write in the newspaper, but this expression clearly belonged to the category of positive emotions. They threw back the central armrest on the back sofa, which is included in the standard equipment, took out the branded Skodov umbrella, which is hidden in the back door pocket. This umbrella, by the way, can be put even wet in place - special drainage holes are provided in this pocket. My friend would be surprised even more if there was one option in the tested copy, namely, the ability to adjust the front right chair from the remote control, located on the central rear armrest. That is, as in any normal limousine: the rear passenger has the opportunity to fold and move the front right chair, thus receiving additional legs for the legs. Although much more - there is more than enough space, and now you can ask the passenger on the back sofa: how? The answer, I suppose, you know in advance ...
 
A long base is a key to not only internal spaciousness, but also the ability to get a comfortable car at minimal costs. And if the same Passat in motion resembles a certain semblance of a sports model more likely that the driver will probably like, but passengers do not always like it, then Superb has a heavy tread of the upper class limousine. By smoothness, even if it sounds complete heresy, the new flagship Skoda reminded me the most ... BMW seven! Despite the difference in classes and price, Superb goes as smoothly and impressive, absolutely without reacting to the bumps of the road. I especially liked how Superb passes road waves - the suspension works out for five points, and the car is like an ocean liner. The settings of pendants and steering are very different from those in Passat - Skoda Superb against the background of a German is felt as a representative limousine. This means that on this car you will not get the sensations for which some buy the BMW M3 for fifty thousand dollars, but even after a many -hour flight, neither the driver nor the Superb passengers will complain about fatigue. Everything related to comfort and smoothness, it seems, are borrowed from the best limousines in the world: in fact, it does not differ from a more prestigious brand that is similar in size.
 
The quality of the finish? For those who are familiar with the products of any of the VW concern branches, this question simply does not exist: the quality and thoroughness of the interior decoration of these cars never causes complaints.
 
Handword? Compared with competitors, then most of all Skoda Superb is similar to prestigious, not driver models like Mercedes S-class or Audi A8. It does not reach the aforementioned seven for several reasons, one of which is the initially comfortable setting of pendants and steering. The hydraulic wrap is very powerful, and there is almost no feedback with the wheels, the pedals are too soft, and noise insulation, in my opinion, is too strong, because Even at 180 km/h Superb is incredibly rabbits. I am quite seriously - even at such a very high speed you do not have to increase the voice or add the volume of the audio system. We did not have the opportunity to measure the noise in decibels, but those who are lucky to travel on this car will probably notice this feature.
 
The class of representative cars, which only a few world -famous manufacturers and the rich past have received a very strong knockout from the VW concern. So strong that competitors will be able to realize and fully feel and feel in full after some time. It is still unknown what a market fate awaits the new VW Phaeton limousine, but about Skoda Superb you can say for sure: a beginner is waiting for a frantic success. In any case, I do not see objective reasons that could become an obstacle to the triumphal procession of this model in world markets.
 
Superb is just one of those cars when the machine turns out not only aesthetically interesting and technically perfect, but also completely harmonious in the sensations that it gives the driver and passengers.
 
It is possible to talk about incredible smoothness, silence in the salon or open spaces in the back seat to infinity for a long time, although now we first apply these epithets to the Skoda car. Which is also not a model of a representative class, but stands as a medium packaged VW Passat.
 
If you characterize the Skoda Superb in one word, then only one thing comes to my mind - a fierce one, because I practically did not meet such an attentive attitude to various kinds of trifles and nuances in other cars. And this will probably be appreciated by numerous buyers, among whom, it seems to me, businessmen, director of firms and enterprises and, possibly, even officials will prevail. As well as those who were looking for a large and serious business class car, but at the same time did not want to overpay for the nameplate on the hood and the loud name of the manufacturer. After all, Skoda, as before, attracts customers not only with the high quality of their products and the original design, but also a very attractive price. And the new Superb is no exception in this regard ...
 
(+) Excellent running characteristics, good build quality, powerful and painful motor, magnificent suspension.
 
(-) Soft, slurred pedals in the version with a mechanical checkpoint.
 
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
 

Source: Autogazet / N 17 (363) dated 10.05.02