Superbly comfortable!
I
s it a saloon or a hatchback? Simple: the new
Skoda Superb is both! Thanks to a clever
boot design, the latest large family car offers
the ultimate in fl exibility. The set-up is called
TwinDoor, and it features two buttons positioned
under the bootlid.
Press the centre pad and the boot opens as it
would on a saloon. Close it again, press the pad
on the right and the whole tailgate swings up.
The TwinDoor can also be operated with the key
fob, while beneath it is an impressive 565 litres of
luggage space.
Skoda has pulled out all the stops for the Superb -
the biggest and most expensive model in the
range. It gets a wide range of modern engines and
gearboxes, has limousine levels of legroom inside
and is very well equipped. But itʼs the innovations -
the ʻmagic momentsʼ throughout the car - that
are most impressive. The biggest of those is at
the back, because the Superb is both a saloon
and a hatchback. Push one button and the bootlid
opens, push another and the whole tailgate raises
up - just as youʼd expect a hatchback to. Thereʼs
also an umbrella concealed in the door, hard
drive storage for MP3 fi les and the option of Park
Assist - a function for making the Superb park
itself. Comfortable and refi ned on the move itʼs
also great value with generous levels of standard
equipment.
Darren Brazier, from Belfast, receiving the keys to his brand new Skoda
There are three diesels to choose from - a
Superb S from Allan McGinness, Sales Director of The Taxi Centre.
105bhp 1.9 TDI, 2.0 TDI PD with 140bhp plus a
newer 170bhp common rail 2.0 TDI. The 1.9 TDI
has the best fuel economy (55mpg). The 140bhp 2.0-litre is more refi ned
than the 1.9-litre but can still be quite vocal at high revs, however it offers
a good blend of in-gear punch and effi ciency, averaging 48mpg. The
best engine by far is the newer 2.0 litre TDI with 170bhp. This common
rail unit is smooth, quiet and refi ned - so much so that itʼs easy to forget
that youʼre driving a diesel while it offers strong, meaty performance with
immense pulling power and a 0-62mph time of 8.8 seconds. A six-speed
DSG automatic gearbox is optional on the 2.0 TDI 140 and 2.0 TDI 170,
complete with Tiptronic gear changing. It uses two clutches to make
gearshifts faster than the blink of an eye and incredibly smooth too.
There is more rear seat space than before, and two six-footers fi t in with
leg and headroom to spare. Add supportive seats and a handy fold-down
centre armrest with neat cupholders, and itʼs every bit as good as VWʼs
luxurious Phaeton to travel in. The cabin builds on the fi rmʼs themes of
simplicity and quality with a clean layout. The stereo is iPod compatible,
and thereʼs a hard drive to store music.
Another fi rst for Skoda - and indeed the whole VW Group - is the adaptive
headlight system, which varies the range and direction of the beam
according to the carʼs speed and steering angle. It works incredibly well,
and with neat interior illumination of the door handles and centre console,
thereʼs a real quality feel to the car after dark.
Given its imposing size, the Skoda is surprisingly agile on the move.
Well-weighted steering and good body control make it extremely capable
on twisting back roads. Even more impressive is the carʼs comfort and
refi nement. The supple suspension manages to smooth out the worst road
surfaces, while wind and engine noise are kept to a minimum.
Despite its generous standard kit and large size, the Superb actually
undercuts its major rivals on price. Better still are the strong residuals, with
diesel-engined versions holding around 44 percent of their value.
Thereʼs no doubting the Skodaʼs strength, as a fi ve-star EuroNCAP rating
proves. All versions get ESP, seven airbags and ISOFIX seats. You can also
splash extra cash on adaptive headlamps and tyre pressure monitoring.
For further information please call Allan McGinness, Sales Director
of The Taxi Centre on 0141 847 6999.
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