Superb gets power injection to make it unbeatable

Published on 13 June, 2017

When I first set eyes on the second-generation Skoda Superb, I was smitten.

Overview

LOVE at first sight always seemed a bit of a myth to me, simply because I fell in love with everyone that offered a glimmer of hope for an end-of-the-night smooch.

Cars are somewhat similar.

There are certain machines that get the pulse racing – hot hatches make me weak at the knees – and when I first set eyes on the second-generation Skoda Superb, I was smitten.

Like many of my previous relationships, it made me feel comfortable, was reliable, had plenty of personality, but lacked a little in the looks department – that didn’t stop me loving it, though.

It was an S-Class for the masses and felt like a premium motor without the price tag.

OK, the rearend looked like Kim Kardashian’s before a Photoshop whizz got hold of it.

It’s probably why I loved the estate so much.

Even though it was packed full of tech and had space for five sixfooters, with enough boot space for an actual wardrobe, it was lacking in something.

No, not that rear-end, which obviously has been addressed in the latest generation. It needed a bit of oomph.

Yes, the 2.0 diesel with 170bhp was a decent engine with plenty of torque and excellent fuel economy.

And, yes, you could get a 3.6-litre V6 shoehorned under the bonnet, but there wasn’t a stand-out engine for drivers, like me, who want a bit of power to play with.

Skoda has over the years given us various RS models that tick all the boxes for sports car fans.

The very fact the Superb never got to wear the badge disappointed me a little.

Now, though, Skoda has given the Superb an injection of pace with the very engine used in the Octavia RS.

The Superb Sportline edition comes with a 2.0TSi engine which puts out 280bhp. Add to that a 4x4 system and DSG and you have a seriously impressive piece of kit.

As you can see from the picture, Skoda has slapped on a rather vibrant ‘Dragon Skin Yellow’ paint that can be seen from the International Space Station.

Truth be told, I like it and it definitely got attention, even at slow speeds.

Apart from the paint and performance, the Sportline models gets 18-inch alloys, black detailing (door mirrors, window frames and side door strips), a black boot lip spoiler, matching diffuser-like rear bumper and new exhaust outlets – and you also get a spattering of Sportline badging throughout.

The interior is top notch, and a new infotainment system dominates the centre console.

But the real stand-out for me inside the Sportline, was the sports seats, trimmed in a mix of black leather and alcantara, plus the alcantara steering wheel gives it a sporty feel.

The inside is cavernous, with leg and headroom aplenty.

Even with my big frame in a comfortable position, the amount of room afforded to the rear-seat passenger is ridiculously generous.

I’m amazed that this extra legroom in the back doesn’t impinge on the boot space.

The Superb offers 625 litres with the rear seats in place. Drop them, and you get 1,760 litres, enough for you to put an ad on Air BnB.

It’s all good so far, but there are a couple of things that I feel Skoda missed a trick on. While this is a potent engine on paper, with the extra weight of the Superb it doesn’t feel racy.

However, I won’t complain too much as it certainly addressed the performance issue.

Here’s the thing, though, Skoda have added a decent engine, given it four-wheel drive and with the DSG box it gets the power down really well.

Getting the power down is only one element of enjoying a performance car, though. Handling is a big part of it and is why I adore the Golf GTi so much.

Skoda hasn’t done anything fancy with the suspension set-up, so the Superb felt a little flat in the corners.

It’s weighty, so carrying speed through a corner and powering away never really felt that exhilarating.

Something else I feel they could have added was noise.

You don’t really get the feeling you’re in a performance car. I don’t want it to sound like a pride of lions, but a little roar would be nice.

I’d even settle for a sound symposer, even though they can sound a little fake at times.

Take note Skoda, get the Czech boffins to throw on a throaty exhaust system and play about with the suspension set-up and you’ll have one hell of a car on your hands.

In saying that, I could really live with the Superb Sportline.

It does everything you need on your daily drive and underneath it all you do get decent straight-line performance.

There’s an argument to be made for saving a couple of grand and opting for the 2.0 diesel with 190bhp in the Sportline spec.

It’s not as thirsty and not as quick, but it has 400Nm or torque and returns decent fuel economy.

The 2.0TSi will cost you €570 a year to tax and you’ll be doing well to get under nine litres per 100kms.

My test car with a few added extras came in at €47k, which seems expensive for a Skoda, but this is a high-end Superb that looks the part, has decent performance and all the space you’ll ever need.

Yes, I do believe in love at first sight, and next year the Superb and I will celebrate 10 years together.

Long may it continue.

MODEL: Skoda Superb 2.0TSi 4x4 Sportline

PRICE: From €27,500 (test car €47,250)

ROAD TAX: Band D €570 per year

0-100KPH: 5.8 seconds

MAX SPEED: 250kph

FUEL ECONOMY: 7.2l/100kms (claimed)

BOOT SPACE: 625 litres