Skoda Superb Combi test drive since 2009

Skoda Superb Combi. Large "shed" class D - just what you need

When a letter came to us with an invitation to the presentation of Skoda Superb Combi, my colleagues did not show much enthusiasm. Well, in fact, the Super itself has already visited our test, and the station wagon is what a station wagon? All the same plus hundreds of liters of useful volume. Eh, they don't understand! There are no children, there are no dogs, bicycles and there are no. What do they mean in the right family cars!? And I gladly agreed to the trip. A large shed class D is just what I need. It allows you to easily transport as many things as necessary, whether it is a trip with a summer residence at the end of the season, or just a winter trip with sledding and other sports equipment.
And Superb did not deceive the expectations. Having received the keys, I decided that I would still have time to sit behind the wheel, and went towards the fifth door, evaluating the external data of the car along the road. The station wagons are infrequently beautiful, but this is not the case: for me, so Combi is more beautiful than Sedo-hatchback, it is more harmonious. Not too heavy due to a heavily tilted rear rack, but solid and thorough. This is not some frivolous, rabid stool.
And the trunk is luxurious. Consider me Plyushkin, but 633 liters of useful volume are great. And if you fold the seats, then the pantry will grow to 1865 liters, which is more than the Audi A6 station wagon, which is a step higher in the European classification. The walls of the trunk are even, on the sides there are small compartments for trifles like a first -aid kit. Movable metal loops for fixing baggage in the floor, custom -made organizer, removable battery flashlight. Convenient hooks on the sides of the compartment is a trifle, but pleasant: the eternal problem where to put two bags from the supermarket so that everything does not crumble easily solved. And there are also an accessible electric drive of the fifth door, automatically leaving to the middle of the curtain, a retractable false floor
However, it's time to get out of the bowels of the luggage compartment but again not behind the wheel. The rear seats are for what this car was created! Royal spaciousness, you can sit on your leg, you can pull them forward, even there is a special stand! And the three of us can fit. On medium racks, ventilation deflectors and hooks for clothing. And another option that is very necessary in our area is available: heating the rear seat. Well, as if they were doing a car specifically for me, my family always drives behind.
The thought crept in: now, if our officials were more often thinking about saving budget money, then for them the car would fit perfectly. Not prestigious? Well, now it’s not up to prestige. Sedans are just collected in Russia, so everyone would be good. But something tells me that my voice will not be heard
Everything is familiar and familiar at the wheel, because Superb was already on our test drive. Beautiful ergonomics, high quality of materials everything at a level worthy of the flagship of a European brand. You can’t do it. There are a lot of options for finishing the cabin, there are neutral black and luxurious leather coffee with milk. Of all the combinations, only a salon with a gray torpedo and doors trim and doors looks dull. Not in status, too simple.
Together with the body, the station wagon on Skoda will also make a debut of the new Kessy system of non -clock access to the salon and the engine launch. The key can not be taken out of your pocket doors are unlocked when you bring your hand to them, you can lock them outside by pressing the button on the handle. Starting and stopping the engine with a button to the right of the steering column. The system will be available as a paid option for any configuration.
City roads, serpentines and highways of Northern Italy showed Superb Combi in all its glory. If you call it a land ship, then this is a large yacht, and not a clumsy barge. He does not provoke hooliganism, but if for some reason the driver wants to tickle his nerves, he will do everything correctly and tastefully. And the most interesting thing behind the wheel of modification with the All -Folkswagen engine 1.8 TSI. That's truly a universal motor! Only a 7-speed DSG pair with it adds not so much comfort to the car as thoughtfulness especially when you need to quickly go down a few steps.
Another gasoline engine 1.4 TSI, known for other models of the Volkswagen concern, is weak for such a fraud. The desire to save fuel is understandable, but it also has limits, of course, 1.4 is cheaper when buying, but if the task is to reduce operating costs as much as possible, then you should pay attention to diesel engines. The 170-horsepower diesel is especially good. The complete absence of vibrations, low noise, but if impressive acceleration is required. In this case, it is precisely preferable to DSG than the mechanics will be ideal for distant family travels. But on the serpentine there is no longer the lightness that it gives 1.8. The front is a little heavier, the braking is slightly less confident. Nuances, halftones, but in general a wonderful motor.
And at the top of the gamma all -wheel drive Superb Combi with a gasoline engine 3.6. 260 horsepower and 350 Newton meters of moment, a transmission with a Haldex IV coupling in the rear wheels drive and a 6-speed DSG (the option with manual transmission is not provided). Yes, the dynamics is impressive for 6.6 seconds to hundreds, but the automated box is pretty concealing sensations. He pulls perfectly from the bottom, but no hurricane accelerations, no kicks under his back. You just always know that acceleration will be more than enough, even if you do not squeeze the pedal to the end. But it's all good on the plain. In the mountains, the car behaves, of course, not like an elephant in a bowl shop, but close to that. Here you are already frankly hinting, you are leading a large, heavy car, stop raging. Behave yourself. So this herd is better to spur only on the highway.
Do you need such a charge in everyday life? Don't know. But all -wheel drive that is so relevant for Russia (in winter you can travel too!), Fortunately, you can order both version 1.8 and for a turbodiesel.
So of all the wealth of options, my choice is 1.8, with a mechanical box. And, possibly, with all -wheel drive. How many who want to buy such a station wagon in Russia are still unclear, but the fact that in Europe it will be popular unambiguously. Here they have long appreciated the advantages of sheds, and on the road they are found much more often than sedans even among business class cars.
Russian prices for Combi have not yet been determined, and the car will appear on sale no earlier than May 2010.
Leonid Aizikovich
Photo by the author and Skoda
 
   
 
Alternative
Skoda Superb formally performs in a business class, but, in terms of a combination of size, cost and image, is probably competing with representatives of the middle class. The choice of class D station wagons is very wide, and the most affordable proposal of Ford Mondeo for 858 thousand rubles. In addition, at a price of up to 1.7 million rubles. (about the same will cost Skoda Superb 3.6 FSI) You can buy not only a larger car of class E class, but also a number of premium models. However, we limit ourselves to listing the most affordable competitors of the new items.
Ford Mondeo from 858 thousand rubles.
Thanks to a thoughtful pricing policy, Mondeo becomes a serious middle -class player. As for the station wagon, it is good: a spacious, convenient, fast, economical, moreover, it has everything that a traveler can dream of. We take it? Alas, most Russians ignore practical station wagons.
Mazda 6 from 912 thousand rubles.
Once considered the standard of its class, Mazda 6 today has somewhat suspended the victorious procession under the onslaught of competitors. However, catching, memorized appearance, spacious, thoughtful interior and correct, noble handling have not gone away and are waiting for their connoisseur. Still, the price is a little lower
Opel Insignia from 917 thousand rubles.
Insignia, which changed the old Vectra, is remembered by stylish appearance and interior. To attract customers, the novelty has a rich selection of engines and sets, and the connoisseurs are prepared all -wheel drive modifications. Perhaps it is Insignia that is ideologically closest to the Czech universal. And the price tags are likely to coincide
Renault Laguna from 873 thousand rubles.
The new Laguna car is comprehensively gifted: stylish, comfortable, thought out. A good interior and excellent passive safety should also be added to the list of advantages. In addition, thanks to the increased size, the salon has become much more spacious. And interesting price tags help the French novelty well to sell.
Saab 9-5 from 894 thousand rubles.
The main disadvantage of the SAAB 9-5 solid age of the model, which is no longer able to hide numerous restyling. Therefore, this car is preferred by true fans of the brand, who are much more important than turbocharged engines and interesting handling than modern appearance, and who are ready to forgive the fresh exterior and far from perfect assembly quality.
Toyota Avensis from 1 million rubles.
The only thing that a specific appearance can push the buyer from the acquisition of Toyota Avensis. However, the controversial design of the exterior is the same traditional feature of Toyota cars as the interior thought out to the smallest detail and high reliability. In general, the Avensis station wagon is a good car for a good family man. And no more.
Volkswagen Passat from 954 thousand rubles.
Reasonable price tags returned the lost popularity to the car. Moreover, Passat is quite generously equipped, and the top equipment of Highline can argue with business class representatives. In general, the German station wagon internal competitor to the Czech Superb. And the competitor, it should be noted, is very serious.
Alexey Kovanov
Photos of manufacturing companies
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru