Skoda Superb, Track Test

Typically, with each successive new model, cars tend to get fatter and – as a result – lazier. So, on the face of it, when we found out that the Superb has become longer, taller, wider and taller for your comfort we weren’t entirely surprised. But, then we were told that the Superb would be lighter than its predecessor – thanks to the war on emissions, which is won in part by reducing weight. So that was saving grace number one.
We were then told that the Superb would come with a 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine mated to both a dual-clutch DSG and manual transmission – that was saving grace number two. Except that the manual gets 320Nm of torque versus 250 in the auto, and the latter is the one we had at the track. Bummer!

The last time we lapped the Superb at the track, we couldn’t get the ESP to stop interfering throughout the lap. You can turn it off, but you can’t really – so it would continue to annoy the driver by tugging at the brakes throughout the 5.1-kiometres of the Buddh International Circuit. So we weren’t expecting much when we pulled out of the pits, but what we got instead was saving grace number three.

The Superb just felt fantastic from the driver’s seat. The engine is extremely free revving and gutsy. The transmission is faultless, and the ESP doesn’t interfere at all. And, for such a big machine, the Superb is incredibly light on its feet as it dances from one corner to the next at the BIC. Sure, the softer ride means that it wallows a bit more – but we had to continue reminding ourselves that this isn’t exactly engineered for the track. This is a luxury car after all!

And so the softer ride is actually a welcome change. The cabin is even more spacious than before, it looks better, is excellent quality and it drives brilliantly – so what’s not to like? Skoda has even revamped their after-sales network, so we hope not to hear any more horror stories from Superb owners. Purely as far as the product goes though, the new Superb is – well – quite superb.

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