Skoda Superb test drive since 2008 -

Big change

The once famous flagship the Czech company revived in 2001, and now a worthy shift arrived. Maxim Sachkov did not have to climb a car with a magnifying glass, the changes were visible to the naked look. Photo by the author.
The airport of Salzburg, where the presentation of the new Skoda-Superb, was the impression of a distant Russian hinterland. The half-empty arrival hall, sleepy staff, rare cars in a parking lot, at least somehow justifying its existence. I can’t even believe that this place will completely be transformed during the Euro-2008 football battles. Alas, you will not have to observe these changes. But right now it is necessary to see automobile metamorphoses.
Along and down
In the pavilion under the fluttering flags of Skoda, on the contrary, life boils. In a hurry he grabbed the first keys that came across and only then found that they were from a diesel 140-horsepower superb. This is unlikely to be delivered to Russia, in contrast to the option with a new engine of the same volume, but by 30 hp. More power and power supply system instead of pumps.
Although a 140-horsepower diesel is not bad for a solid car despite a calm character, it can be frisky. True, the motor is noisy at high speeds, and look, it will disturb the peace of a sitting from behind.
The new Superb is built on the modules of the Octavia platforms (more precisely, golf) and the passato of the last generations. The engine and the box are not installed longitudinally, like the previous version, but across, which allowed you to find more a passenger place, stretching the salon and narrowing the central tunnel. The space for the legs from the back increased by 19 mm, while the length of the car almost did not change. Alas, the space in the driver’s place is limited by the massive central console, it constantly presses under the knee. But if I were tall above the average, I would not have felt checked at colleagues.
It is difficult for everyone to find fault with the seats, from small to great. Convenient back and pillow with all the necessary settings carefully take the body, and tenacious, but not pressing side supports are reliably held in corners. Ranks of adjustments in German are generous. The steering column bends so that it even becomes scary for it. There are no complaints about finishing materials and the quality of the assembly.
The game is large
I will try the top modification under the hood of a 3.6-liter engine with direct injection. Superb is largely largely trusted by the motor with a volume of more than 2.8 liters. In addition, here, the four -wheel drive, if necessary, the Haldex controlled by the electronics connects the rear axle.
The fellow traveler shook his head artistically, as soon as I pressed the gas pedal. After the obedient and affectionate diesel, the energetic disposition of the 260-horsepower gasoline engine will have to get used to it. True, electronic systems clearly and almost imperceptibly for passengers stop sharp savings. By the way, Superb is ready to argue with many, even more expensive competitors. In the maximum configuration, nine (!) Inflatable pillows. In addition to the usual set for modern models, air bags protect the side of the rear passengers and the knees of the driver.
After a few kilometers, he got rid of the engine, however, largely thanks to a robotic box with two DSG clutches. By the clarity of switching and ease of use, it is practically not inferior to a classic unit with a hydrotransformer, while dynamics and efficiency are like modifications on the handle.
The 3.6-liter version has enough strength, but there are no crazy accelerations. Here, after all, all -wheel drive and the mass is great, the top version is almost 150,200 kg heavier than monoprodal modifications. Therefore, controllability has also changed. The car reluctantly enters the turn, from an actively resisting steering wheel on winding roads, hands begin to get tired. But the gasoline machine is quieter than diesel. By the way, in the supervision of the fight against the noise, special attention was paid to the thickness of the windshield to 4.85 mm, new noise -absorbing coatings and sealing materials that reduce aerodynamic noises were used. Only a quiet grunt of tires intervenes slightly in the conversation.
In search of a glacier
For inspection of the most beautiful landscapes, I’m going in Superbia with a 1.8 TSI engine. It is this version that will probably be the best sold in our market. My option is not with a new 7-speed DSG box, but with clearly working mechanics. It’s easier to get out the motor with her.
The impressions of Volkswagen-Tiguan with a 1.4-liter TSI engine are still fresh. The mechanical compressor provides excellent traction on the bottoms, and with an increase in revolutions, turbocharged. It seems that under the hood a good atmospheric motor with a volume of at least 2 liters.
Strange, but at low speeds, a 1.8-liter TSI is reluctant to pull, wakes up only after two and a little thousand. The guess is simple: earlier motors with direct injection and turbocharged were called TFSI, and supplemented by a mechanical supercharger shortened by the abbreviation TSI. Now all the boosted units have a single designation TSI! To invent cunning indices, and then shuffle them, of course, the right of the manufacturer, but many have yet to be confused.
The last few kilometers to the hotel rode in the back seat. It is no worse here than a convenient sofa with heating, you can calmly stretch your legs, and put them on a stand for the swimming comfort; Near the armrest with the cup holders.
Superb really seriously changed became attractive to the outwardly, richer by a salon, more powerful than engines. Of course, the buyer who selects cars of the so-called premium class is especially demanding: he looks not only at the characteristics, the quality of the finish and the level of comfort, but also the emblem. Skodovskaya was not prestigious in this segment. But the new superb has a chance to change it.
Skoda-Superb approached prestigious models not only in terms of quality of finishing, equipment set, technical equipment, but also in price.
What and how much?
Skoda-Superb will cost from 790 thousand rubles, and the minimum set of 1.4 TSI Ambition. The machines in the initial performance of Comfort to Russia do not plan to supply, as well as Greenline, green modifications.
Maxim Sachkov
 

 
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"