Skoda Superb 2002 test drive - 2008 -

Application for prestige

The Superb car is a special place in the Skoda lineup. Superb clearly demonstrates that Czech automakers are able to produce not only cheap cars for a wide circle of customers, but also luxurious models.
 
Skoda produced prestigious cars in the pre -war years. In 1924, the legendary Skoda Hispano-Suiza cars began to produce, and in 1925 the company's management acquired another Czech Laurin & Klement. As a result, in the second half of the 1920s, Skoda was included in the cohort of world leaders in the production of expensive cars. In 1934, the Superb model, which became the new flagship of the company, took place. At that time, this car was considered one of the best in Europe. Six and eight-cylinder engines with a capacity of 86 and 92 liters were installed on Skoda Superb. p., capable of dispersing the car, respectively, to 125 and 135 km/h. The main differences in the model: increased comfort, independent suspension of all wheels, brakes with a hydraulic drive. The car was so successful that after several modernizations it was produced until 1949. However, in the future, Skoda refused the production of expensive models, focusing on the creation of mass demand machines.
 
But, as you know, history is sometimes repeated. And so, after several decades, Skoda resumed the release of the Superb model. Of course, the new Superb has nothing to do with the pre -war car of the same name. The modern version is built on the elongated Volkswagen Passat platform of the previous generation. In addition, the machine differs from the German analogue in improved equipment.
 
Skoda Superb is far from a beginner in the automobile market, the model has been released since 2001. However, the appearance of the new generation Volkswagen Passat made us pay attention to the Czech car again. In accordance with modern trends, Passat has become noticeably larger than its predecessor. Naturally, the car has risen significantly. It is interesting that the new Passat is made on the fifth generation Golf platform, and the engines are now installed not along, but across the body. So is it worth it to spend money on the new Passat or does it make sense to purchase a time-tested Skoda Superb, which is essentially a top version of Volkswagen Passat of the previous generation? This is what we will try to find out.
 
It is noteworthy that if Skoda Superb looks like a classic Volkswagen, then the new Passat, due to a huge rear history and a relatively small wheelbase, looks like another Czech Octavia car.
 
In length, Volkswagen Passat approached the Skoda Superb, it is only 38 mm, and the Skoda wheelbase is 93 mm longer. This is significant: thanks to the increased base, the Skoda Superb salon is noticeably more spacious, although Passat can not be called cramped. For the transport of goods, Volkswagen is better adapted: it has not only the volume of the trunk (565 liters against 462 liters of Skoda), but also the backs of the rear seats fold. Superb has only a small hatch for transporting long -sized things, other options for transforming the cabin are not provided.
 
Both cars are well equipped. Volkswagen Passat is literally stuffed with various technical innovations: bixenon swivel headlights, navigation system, cruise control that automatically supports a safe distance to the walking car, EPB electromechanical brake (Electric Parking Brake), RUN-Flat tires, not afraid of punctures.
 
Skoda Superb does not have such fashionable things, but on expensive versions there are individual heating and ventilation of the rear seats, which you will not find even as an option on Passat. In addition, the machine can be equipped with several unique devices that significantly increase comfort, such as:
lounge Step leg stand, it is installed for rear seats; adjustment of the longitudinal position of the front passenger seat, carried out from the rear of the cabin, and the Footboard hatch in the back of the right front chair can significantly increase the passenger’s legs space located in the rear law;
adjustable bagoflex baggage loading system, thanks to it, the trunk can be divided into various compartments;
the refrigerator, it is placed behind the folding armrest of the rear seat.
 
Traditionally, all Volkswagen cars are highly of high quality decoration. Passat and Superb are no exception. The salons of one and another machine are made of excellent quality materials.
 
Driving chairs with a memory function equipped with electro -regulations in the longitudinal direction, as well as in height and tilt of the upper part of the seat, populated support and lumbar roller are equally convenient on both machines.
 
Competitors are approximately equal in terms of security. The Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb are installed ABS, Traction-Control, the ESP stabilization system, the Dual-Rate System, increasing the brake pedal force in a critical situation.
 
How cars behave on the road
 
The most common engine on Skoda Superb turbocharged engine with a working volume of 1.8 liters and a capacity of 150 liters. With.
 
The budget versions of Volkswagen Passat are equipped with 1.6 liters, developing a capacity of 102 and 115 liters. With. However, their potential is not enough for a heavy machine. The 1.8T turbo engine is not installed on the Passat, instead of it they put the latest 2.0 FSI atmospheric engine with a capacity of 150 liters. With.
 
The capabilities of Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat with 150-horsepower engines are approximately equal. Judge for yourself: the maximum speed is 216 km/h for Superb and 213 km/h in Passat, acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h, respectively, for 11.6 and 11.3 s, fuel consumption in a mixed cycle of 8.3 and 8, 2 liters per 100 km. But these are naked numbers, and in practice, Skoda Superb accelerates more dynamically. The reason is that the turbo engine develops the maximum torque of 210 nm in the range from 1750 to 4600 rpm, while the possibilities of the Volkswagen atmospheric engine are more modest than 200 nm at 3500 rpm. Another significant advantage of a turbocharged engine is a low compression of only 9.3 units. Therefore, the Skoda car can be operated on 92nd gasoline, and the gas station is refueling, and sooner or later in Russia all cars go through such a test, will not become fatal for the engine. At the same time, the Volkswagen Passat motor with its high compression of 11.5 units requires gasoline with an octane number of at least 95.
 
Volkswagen has more honed controllability, but the Skoda car is better than the smoothness thanks to a longer base and the fact that the longitudinally located power unit transmits less vibrations to the body.
 
It remains to add that 150-horsepower versions of Superb and Passat are approximately the same (from 28 thousand dollars in the simplest configuration).
 
So what to choose, given that both cars are good and close in their characteristics?
 
If you need a universal machine and you often need to transport bulky things, then Volkswagen Passat is more suitable for you, since its trunk is more and more convenient. Often travel with passengers over long distances, value comfort? Take Skoda Superb. Another nuance that should be taken into account when choosing a car: Volkswagen is a more prestigious brand than Skoda. Therefore, when reselling the car, the owner of Volkswagen will lose less. But for the same reason, the risk of the theft of Volkswagen is much higher than the Skoda.
 
Skoda Superb is supplied to Russia in three trim levels: Classic, Ambiente and Elegance. Prices for Classic versions start from $ 27,981. Along with gasoline, 1.9TDI diesel engines with a capacity of 101 and 130 liters are also installed. With. Moreover, an option with a less powerful diesel and a mechanical gearbox (other options with such a motor is not provided) by only $ 378 more expensive than a gasoline version. By purchasing a model with a 1.8t engine, the buyer can choose between a mechanical gearbox and Tiptronic, a price difference of less than $ 200. A mechanical gearbox or machine gun is installed on cars with a 130-horsepower diesel engine. The latter option is much more expensive than the basic version ($ 32,240).
 
Ambiente set prices start from 30,398 dollars. From Classic, such cars are distinguished by a leather salon, a rear -view mirror with automatic obscenities, and the presence of a rain sensor. Along with the engines installed on Classic, Ambiente versions are equipped with 6-cylinder gasoline (2.8 liters, 193 l.) And diesel (2.5 l, 163 hp) engines. But Tiptronic does not put on Ambiente, only a mechanical gearbox or machine gun is possible.
 
The top version of the Skoda Superb Elegance with a 1.8t engine is estimated at $ 38,211. The Elegance has separate heating of the rear seats, alloyed wheels, high-power generator, headlight washer, xenon headlights, folding lateral mirrors with memory, gum and heating and heater and heating and heating and heating backlight. A driver's seat with electric drive, the salon is finished with wood. Diesel with a capacity of 101 l. With. The Elegance version is not installed. All machines of this configuration are equipped with automatic gearboxes, with the exception of modification with a 6-cylinder diesel engine, both an automatic machine and a mechanical box are possible on it.
 
All Skoda Superb cars, supplied to Russia by official dealers, are equipped with a package for bad roads and are provided with a two -year guarantee without limiting mileage.
 
Photo: Sergey Kozlovsky
 
 

Source: Magazine Cars and Prices No. 43, October 31, 2005