Skoda Superb test drive since 2008 -

Cool "Business"

Both Skoda Superb and Citroeon C5 can be called one of the best autoovs last year in the business class segment. It would be a sin not to try to compare them. The configuration of cars participating in this duel was selected in such a way that their price tags approximately coincided. So let the reader not bother the difference in the volume of the engines and their power of the machine is worthy of each other.
Outwardly, Superb does not look at a kind of membership. The exterior of the novelty fully complies with modern concepts about a normal European business sedan: classic forms that inspire the dimensions, aggressive-expressive eagle headlights, a massive bumper, an impressive hood. In the new Superb, strength and thoroughness are felt. And although it’s a sin to complain about the lack of space behind the front chairs, this car was clearly not created with an emphasis on the priority of the rear passenger.
Actually, no special needs (except for the possibility of stretching the legs, poking the feet on special recreational stands) Czech and does not satisfy. Another advantage of Superb passengers over the inhabitants of the rear seats C5 can be called the opportunity to learn about the current time and outcome temperature, without distracting the driver’s stupid questions: their services are a personal information display. But this difference can hardly be attributed to the category of fundamental.
But what is the wheel? The range of chairs and steering wheel settings are wide enough and provide a comfortable landing for almost any driver. The profile and stiffness of the seat also do not raise questions. Although the owners of the forms of increased splendor, it may seem tight.
The new C5, unlike the predecessor in the fishing form of forms, no one can blame. A long front overhang, a short rear, huge radiator grille with an excessively large branded chevron, the rear glass is characteristic strokes into the portrait of a modern Frenchman. In the interior of the machine, there is no German severity or Japanese craving for Pokemon. Everything is simple, but elegant. The salon of the new C5 was worked out to the smallest detail, at least in front. The driver and the front passenger have problems with landing and selecting the correct adjustments by definition. Alas, the rear passengers can only dream of such a scope here.
People will be able to sit normally medium -sized complexion: the legs are not enough catastrophically, well, at least the ceiling does not press. But the functional component of the driver's workplace deserves the highest assessments all in place. More precisely, under the thumbs, on a motionless hub of the steering wheel. Almost all on -board systems are tied to it, with the exception of climate.
According to the luggage of the trunk, the flagship Skoda noticeably ahead of the competitor. Not bad and geometry. However, if you open the trunk in a traditional way for the sedan, then its full use is under a big question: the forming opening, to put it mildly, is small, it is almost impossible to reach the far wall. But then the patented Twindoor system comes to the rescue. By pressing the key located to the right of the main button for opening the luggage compartment, you can raise the rear window with the lid, as organized on the hatchback. There will be no difficulties with loading: having folded the second row, even a small refrigerator can be transported to Superb. The original solution of Czech designers is a spectacular chip that attracts attention to the novelty. However, to understand the intricacies of the work of the double opening mechanism of the fifth door is far from immediately.
As for the driving, there is only an inveterate grouse in this discipline to put Superb in this discipline with a plus. Especially if under the hood is a top 3.6-liter 260-horsepower V6 FSI, supplemented by a branded 6-speed DSG box and an updated all-wheel drive system (with a fourth-generation Haldex clip). Only 6.5 seconds to hundreds, 250 km/h at the maximum! The driver will not feel the lack of dynamics. That's just it turns out.
And when buying and in operation. The turbocharged 1.4-liter engine is much more economical. Despite the seemingly not too suitable working volume for one and a half -ton car, it is 125 hp. and 200 Nm of thrust available in the range from 1,500 to 4000 rpm, allow you to accelerate to 201 km/h. The second hundred car exchanges 10.5 seconds after the start. The optimal for Superb can be considered a 1.8-liter 160-horsepower TFSI, which we are happy to use. He produces the maximum torque (250 Nm) at 1800 rpm, so at the start of the floor, the car shoots quite decently.
Not afraid of loud phrases, let's say that the second generation C5 opened a new page in the latest Russian history Citroeon (for the first time the French began official deliveries to Russia of cars with diesel engines). Moreover, an almost complete gamut: on the Russian website of the company there is no mention of only the most modest 1.6-liter 110-horsepower four. Topovs of the engines available in our market can be called a 2.7-liter V6 with two turbochargers with a capacity of 208 hp. A car with a gasoline three -liter engine (215 hp) participated in the test. This C5 is going excellent. Acceleration is not impressive, but for a family sedan a dozen seconds up to a hundred are more than enough. This is not a teenage lighter, but a solid business class for a solid person. On the move C5, when necessary, is comfortable, and when they ask for a moderately sports.
His suspension easily swallows what he should, and does not graze in corners. Of course, provided that a specific machine has a proprietary hydraulic suspension Hydractive III+.
Summarizing the impressions of both machines, we can say the following. Both sedans fully correspond to modern ideas about the business class machine. But there is one nuance. It seems that, unlike C5 Superb, in a combination of parameters, it is more sharpened under operation as a corporate machine. Citroone is more to the face of the role of a personal or family car.
Citroeon C5 crash test
During the crash tests, EURONCAP CITROEN C5 gained the maximum possible 5-star rating. During both the front and lateral (on a pillar) strokes of claims to the car, the maximum assessment was received. The car scored four stars in the category of protection of children. And to pedestrians, with unplanned contact with C5, there is nothing special to count on only 2 stars in this category.
Skoda Superb crash test
In a series of crash tests, Euroncap Skoda Superb was awarded the maximum 5-star rating. The experts rated the frontal clash at 15 points, and the side at 16. A couple of additional points brought a side blow to the pillar (the curtains of safety worked impeccably). And the alarm about the unsteded belts added another 2 points. Having well-defended passenger children, Superb earned 4 stars in this discipline. But for pedestrians, the car is dangerous 2 stars.
Andrey Skagit
Photo: Armen Meitarjan
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [April/2009]