Skoda Superb 2002 test drive - 2008 -

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The Skoda brand, which has a mighty owner behind the back of the Volkswagen concern, has been successful for the past few years in the most serious way, having improved its market position. No one can boast of such a quick transformation of the image. At the same time, despite the transition to unified Volkswagen platforms, she managed to keep her own face.
 
The premiere of the large Skoda sedan on the world market was generally imperceptible. In the form of the Montreux concept, the car debuted last spring in Geneva, in the fall in Frankfurt they put up a pre -production sample - Skoda Superb.
 
In Russia, the car appeared in the early summer of this year and also somehow quietly. Neither advertising, nor any special stocks. Potential buyers will often learn about the existence of this model only by coming to the car dealership. Why is that?
 
It can be assumed that the case is in the name. More than once I heard how even some dealers have Superb as super-bi. In fact, this English word sounds like souprb (stress on the second syllable), and its meanings are like this: magnificent, majestic, grandiose, rich, luxurious, noble, exalted, highest quality, excellent. How!
 
I must say that Skoda did not always produce modest socialist cars. In the twenties and thirties of the last century, the company was known as a high-class car manufacturer (at that time, Gamma totaled 15 models with 6- and 8-cylinder engines), and in 1934 the production of the luxury class- Skoda Superb began. That's who borrowed the name of the current magnificent and excellent. And since this is the first Skoda attempt to penetrate the D-sector of the market, and immediately into the upper part, and the success is not guaranteed, it is possible that the company is somewhat afraid of such an ambitious name, therefore it does not raise noise. Although there really is nothing to be afraid - the car turned out ...
 
Rumor has it that the culprit of the appearance of Superb was the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman. He did not like to use German cars for official purposes, and he turned to Skoda engineers - is it possible to build an elongated Octavia. The answer was negative, and in return they decided to use the Passat of the Chinese version of the extended Passat. So they did.
 
The lengthening is serious - the base has become almost one hundred millimeters. To the best, the conservative appearance of Superb is quite interesting and recognizable as the Skoda model mainly due to the family false radiator grille and a large slightly bulging pharma with transparent fairings. There is much smaller in the profile of retreats from the source, and Superb can be confused with Passat. The only thing that immediately catches the eye is a long back door.
 
Let's see, maybe there are more differences in the cabin? It turned out not. Inside you fall into the arms of hard German seats with solid lateral support, well familiar with Passat. Not a matter that all adjustments are mechanical, optimal landing is easily, and it is no longer required to adjust it during the trip. The steering wheel, covered with leather, has well -selected diameter and cross section, a familiar instrument shield is located behind it. Its difference from counterparts is the original digitization, made under the chronometer.
 
Verser switches are endowed with a standard set of functions, and there are no complaints about them. The central console has a climate control unit - also an old acquaintance. The difference in interior decoration is generally small, and it can only be tracked if you leave Passat, immediately sit in Superb. Or vice versa.
 
For those who like to ride in the back seat, the main news will be seriously increased legs space. All one hundred millimeters of the extension of the base went to improve the comfort of the rear passengers. Naturally, the back door became more - and the doorway. According to the rear passenger volume, Superb is ready to compete with the class of class above.
 
Increased, and significantly, and the trunk. It is almost impossible to reach the back of the rear seat through it. So, going on a long journey four of the four or five, you can not worry whether luggage will fit. It will fit, there will also be a place. And for the transportation of long objects, such as skis, there is a hatch and a special cover in the armrest.
 
I launch the engine - a well -known and so beloved by many 150 -horsepower 1.8 T., it easily accelerates a difficult car, providing a tangible pickup in the region of 3000 rpm. The gearbox lever, despite quite large moves, works with good clarity and informativeness. It is almost impossible to make a mistake, including the program, but the programs themselves should make it shorter. For highways, they are quite suitable, but in the city I would like more speakers.
 
The car suspension is adapted for Russian conditions, which implies an increase in road clearance, and this is not the best affects the appearance of the car. On the move, the consequences of adaptation are not very noticeable. Skoda Superb holds the way at any speed and almost silently practices irregularities. But the rolls become tangible in corners, in addition, the steering wheel at the angles of rotation is more than 90 degrees noticeably loses information content, so you have to rely on its vestibular apparatus.
 
From the point of view of Superb comfort, Passat wins - the excellent suspension is not so hard. Perhaps because the roads in the Czech Republic are not as smooth as in Germany. By the way, Skoda style chief Thomas Ingalat came to the company from Volkswagen ...
 
Upon reaching the clutch limit, the demolition of the front axle begins, easily, however, controlled by gas and steering wheel. At high speed, the steering wheel is poured with weight and noticeably resists the driver. Aerodynamics are also well worked out, the first noises begin to wake up after 150 km/h, and mirrors-lights are responsible for them. At smaller speeds, the engine noise is dominant - the latter declares itself a peppy sound after 2500 rpm.
 
The brakes are of good efficiency, but ABS turns on early, especially when braking in turns or in uneven areas of the road ...
 
Skoda Superb rivals include such family machines as Ford Mondeo, Citroen C5, Peugeot 406 and, of course, Volkswagen Passat. The list can also include Volvo S60 and Audi A4, and if you distract from the prestige of the prestige of the brand, then the models of the class above, such as Opel Omega or Audi A6. After all, an opponent in the market is not necessarily a car close in technical parameters, this is the car on which the buyer stops his final choice. Another will think - why does he need Passat, when there is Superb, almost the same in cost, but noticeably more spacious and comfortable.
 

 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 10/2002]