Skoda Superb Euro NCAP 4 Stars
First things first ditch all those preconceptions!
Skoda cars may well have deservedly been the butt of many a joke during the 1980s, but make no mistake the Skodas of today are a completely different animal.
As if to prove the point, more than 56,000 Top Gear readers, who rated 152 cars in the magazines annual owner satisfaction survey, voted the Skoda overall number one car manufacturer of 2006, with the Superb one of 3 models making the top ten.
Skodas flagship model, this is a big family equipped with executive car levels of space and generous equipment. Inside, packed with equipment that would be optional on most other cars, there's a quality
feel more familiar to people more used to Volkswagens and Audis. Comfort is Superb's biggest strength. The interior is smart and filled with thoughtful touches like blue backlit door handles and an umbrella hidden in the door on certain models.
In the Superb Saloon range you can choose between 15 models - 4 petrol engines and 11 diesels. With a VED band D the popular, swift and refined 1.9TDi has emissions of 153g/km. Fuel consumption is excellent for such a large car with figures of 57.6mpg extra urban and 48.7mpg combined.
Three trim levels are available Classic, Comfort and Elegance. The standard Classic trim inludes Climatronic air conditioning with additional vents for rear passengers, electric windows, electrically
adjustable and heated door mirrors. Comfort adds 16-inch alloy wheels, multi-functional steering wheel, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain sensor wipers, climate control, a CD multichanger and parking sensors.
Elegance trim includes extra chrome exterior trim, colour satellite navigation and heated leather seats with individual controls.
Euro NCAP awarded the Superb 4 stars in its safety tests. Dual front, curtain and side air bags, traction control, alarm, immobiliser and remote central locking all come as standard. Traction control is found on all but the 2.0 and 1.8 T models. Security features are plentiful and effective, and every model comes with an alarm.
Every Skoda comes with a 2 year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, with a third year of warranty valid up to 60,000 miles, as well as a minimum 10 year anti-perforation warranty. Despite the brands top ratings for Mechanical Quality in JD Powers 2006 industry report, for your peace of mind Skoda also provides 3 years roadside assistance (thought provokingly called Skoda Assistance) via RAC. It is available 24 hours a day every day of the year and as it is vehicle based anyone driving your koda may take advantage of the service. All new vehicles supplied by kodaAuto in the UK are automatically entitled to Skoda Assistance both in the UK and when travelling in Europe.
About the manufacturer
Skoda say they designed their cars to have a minimal impact on the environment at all stages of their lives from manufacturing stage, usage and ultimately at the end of the vehicles life. All engineers involved in the development process are given internal guidelines and extensive information as the basis for creating
recyclable products. In addition to avoiding the use of hazardous substances, Skoda are also increasingly using recycled materials as well as labelling materials of all applicable vehicle components with their material types, to aid identification and subsequent
recycling. Documentation is prepared and made available to recycling companies to ensure environmentally friendly recycling at the end of a vehicles life. Parent company, VW Group Uk, has
formed a partnership with Cartakeback.com to provide a Government approved national network of certified dismantling companies to receive and take care of the environmentally friendly recovery of used skodas.
A large range of used parts from vehicle repairs are taken back by Skoda every year and remanufactured on an industrial scale The remanufactured parts are sold across the world with a full manufacturers guarantee under the Genuine Parts scheme. Valuable metals like platinum and rhodium are extracted from old catalytic converters and used in ones. To further increase the economic recycling of end of life vehicles, koda has developed and tested the VW-SiCon process. This allows the shredder light fraction to be processed and put to optimal usage. The first large-
scale industrial plants to use the VW-SiCon process are being built or are in the planning stages. When operational Skoda believes a recovery target of 95% for end-of-life vehicles is attainable
Skoda has also been working on reducing servicing requirements. The servicing intervals for modern models are currently up to 50,000 km, with extended servicing intervals depending on the model and the usage of the vehicle. This means the disposal of old oil and other used parts is therefore much lower
Introduction of modern FSI and TDI engines as well as the automatic DSG® direct shift gearboxs are helping to reduce fuel consumption and emission levels. Skoda is also working to increase the longevity of its vehicles as longer a vehicle can be used, the less burden there is on the limited raw material resources of the plane. It should also give owners a financial gain as well!