When the next version of Skoda's Superb arrives in Ireland for August sale, it will feature the new face of the brand as debuted in the Rapid and Octavia, writes Brian Byrne.
A strong contender against the mainstream D segment Mondeo and Avensis models, Superb has always offered rather more car for the segment and the money.
That is retained with the latest version, because there are no dimensional changes in the new one. But every panel and feature from the grille and lights back to the A pillar are new. You'll see it coming too, the LED daylight running lights help make the new 'eyes' of the car very distinctive. Overall the front of the car is more crisply modern.
The rear has been modified too, mostly by means of the lights, which now feature the traditional 'C' motif in LEDs.
A recrafting of the inside ups what was already a solid level of quality. A new steering wheel, fresh materials, and of course that umbrella in the rear passenger door is still a unique feature.
The Twindoor on the limousine, which converts to a hatchback or boot as required, now has a simpler 2-button operating system.
The extraordinary amount of leg space in the rear, which has always made Superb stand out from its competitors, remains. And the Combi wagon is just awesome in its load-carrying capability.
But just in case you're feeling that this is primarily a cosmetic exercise, the powertrains have been fettled too. Economy has been improved by up to 19 percent, depending on engine.
All diesel engines now come with start/stop and an energy recuperation system. And the Greenline version now sips just 4.2L/100km of fuel, with emissions down to 109g/km. Very respectable for such a big car, and the kind of thing that taxation authorities find very hard to keep up with.
In Ireland, a very respectable 1,000 plus Superbs were sold last year, of which some 25 percent were Combis - that itself a very high penetration of wagons in the class.
According to Skoda Ireland's John Donegan, the car has become very popular in the fleet segment, as has the smaller Octavia. "The fleet channel of the business has held up over the last two years, and that's what's keeping the trade going," he adds.
I've been driving the new Superb in the hilly woodlands outside Vienna, and my positive memories of the current version have been resurrected and upgraded.
For Ireland, the key engine will be the 1.6 diesel, which adequately powers the car but does require attention to the gearshifting in push-on driving through the twisting hills. Ideal is the 2.0 diesel, which offers seamless progress without effort. With either, the 6-speed gearbox shifts cleanly in both cases.
There isn't any word on pricing for the new car until around the middle of July. Given the times and the market conditions, I'd suspect that the Irish distributor is working hard trying not to increase by much, if at all.
Skoda is doing well in achieving conquest sales in Ireland from many of its direct competitors. But it's arguable too that there are converts from the premium levels, especially with the Superb.
It doesn't offer the flash of cousin Audi, which is the point. Nor perhaps the power options of that VW brand gone premium. Which is the point too. This is a car for the solid business person who needs roominess as well as a quality feel. It works especially well if a wagon is appropriate for the lifestyle need.
Gotta like the Superb. Again.
