Roy Lewis road tests the Skoda Superb 1.8 TSi S-spec petrol (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests the Skoda Superb 1.8 TSi S-spec petrol

8:00am Thursday 24th September 2009 in

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IF YOU want space and luxury, Skoda’s award-winning Superb is just up your street.

Previous models may have been renowned for their spaciousness and comfort but the clever design of the new models means that a lot of extra space has been freed up to benefit passengers and to boost the car’s luggage capacity.

The Superb is simply cavernous and it is little wonder that it is the choice of many larger families and company drivers.

In fact, there are a lot of motorists who moved away from larger family cars to multi-purpose vehicles and are being drawn back into the sector by new and more advanced models like the Superb with its innovative features, impressive build quality, design and good value.

The Superb, first launched as a saloon in 2001, has a trick or two up its sleeve. One clever and practical touch is the special tailgate called the twin door that can be opened as a boot lid on its own or as a complete tailgate to transform the vehicle into the convenience of a hatch.

It’s all done at the touch of a button.

Considering the UK’s mainstream market is dominated by hatchbacks rather than saloons, it is little wonder that this industry-first feature is proving an attraction.

Since becoming part of the giant Volkswagen group in 1991, Skoda has gone from strength to strength and the Superb – the third generation of the model – confirms this with its quality and tempting prices, which go from £15,905 on-the-road for the 1.4-litre petrol to £26,885 for the flagship 3.6-litre V6 4x4 with DSG transmission.

In these belt-tightening times the diesels are proving the favourites.

There are three, the 105bhp 1.9- litre, and the 2.0-litre with 140bhp and 170bhp. The 140bhp unit mated to a six-speed manual gearbox is a smooth operator and the choice of most buyers. The petrol motors also suit the Superb, particularly the 160bhp 1.8-litre with its impressive blend of performance and economy. The 125bhp 3.6-litre V6 is the one for the more enthusiastic driver. There are four trim levels, including the economical and environmentally friendly Green Line.

The Superb is Skoda at its best. The car’s elegant flowing lines and attractive front is quite a departure from the previous model in terms of styling and engineering.

Underneath, the Superb gets the group’s latest underpinnings similar to the VW Passat, using an innovative modular chassis and an expensive lightweight multi-link rear suspension which all help the car to handle and ride so well.

Actually, the Superb is not intended to have a real sporting nature and also because it is a fairly big family car you might think it would be a poor handler.

But this is not the case. It shows splendid composure over most roads with body roll kept in check and it gives a limousine-like ride on the motorway.

Actually, it does drive like a smaller vehicle which many consider to be the hallmark of a good car.

It is the interior, however, that has the ‘wow’ factor for the more discerning.

It is beautifully upholstered and laid out. The cabin is spacious and three rear passengers have simply loads of space and comfort.

The interior is light and airy. There is no clutter, with the dash benefiting from touch screen technology to reduce the number of buttons.

Skoda managed to find a lot of extra space for passengers and their luggage by switching to a transverse engine layout. The boot now offers 565 litres of space – the biggest in the family class – and a massive 1,670 litres with the seats folded.

Being Skoda’s top car, the Superb has been endowed with some upmarket features such as optional Park Assist, which uses sensors to allow the driver to parallel park, and a front light system which adapts the spread and angle of light according to road speeds.

Bluetooth technology is available.

AT-AGLANCE Skoda Superb 1.8 TSi S-spec petrol.

Price: £16,980 (on-the-road).

Top speed: 137mph.

0-62mph: 8.6 seconds.

Fuel: 39.2mpg (combined figure).

Emissions CO2 (g/km): 180.

Verdict: Very spacious, quality construction inside and out, innovative, comfortable and a terrific car for the money.