 The second diesel variant of the Skoda Superb truly lives up to its name – simply superb! OverDrive (May ’09) gives you a more detailed view…
In terms of looks the Superb diesel wears the same sheet metal as the petrol version. The busy front end is typically Skoda and the side is low, long and sleek but without too much stylistic adornment. On the inside, it remains unrivalled in its class. The touch-screen stereo controls are space age and it also has cruise control – a feature still not too common in this segment. The faux leather trim feels full and soft just like real nappa leather and the switches and shift knob exude the feel of top grade plastic and chrome. Thus the design combined with top quality materials makes for a relaxed and cozy environment for the driver and passengers that instantly, emanates a luxurious and cosseting aura.
The old Superb’s 3.0-litre common-rail V6 diesel has now been replaced by a more modest 1,968cc TDI PD engine – the first DOHC $-cylinder pumpe-duse engine made by the Volkswagen Group and it has done duty in countless cars including the Passat until it was recently upgraded to a more modern common-rail engine.
 The engine produces 141PS of power at 4000rpm, which is 20PS less than its 1.8-litre petrol sibling. Maximum torque is a healthy 320Nm available from 1750rpm to 3000rpm. So the diesel definitely produces more torque than the petrol and is nearly its equal in delivery – however the TSI petrol engine not only makes 250Nm of torque from 1500rpm to 4500rpm – a wider range than the diesel, but it does not suffer from any turbo lag that’s so evident in the diesel motor.
PD engines aren’t known for their silence and despite the Superb’s excellent noise insulation, the engine does make itself audible when one floors the accelerator say OverDrive testers (May ’09). The Superb diesel crosses the 100kmph mark in 12 seconds and the 60kmph mark in 5.4 seconds. Compare that with the 9.6 seconds and 4.6 seconds for the petrol Superb and the diesel doesn’t seem very quick. Top speed achieved in the diesel is similar to the petrol at 202kmph.
 Good ride quality coupled with the capable handling makes this big car fairly lively to drive. Along with excellent but slightly stiff ride quality, body roll is kept in check and the car holds its line with ease. Technically, its chassis is 60 per cent more rigid than previous generation Superb providing excellent stiffness. It has MacPherson struts with lower triangular links and torsion stabilizer up front and multi-element axle, with one longitudinal and three transverse links, with torsion stabilizer at the back. So in short, the Superb feels comfortable and calm over the roughest roads with the suspension allowing minimum disturbance to travel inside and bother the occupants.
The Superb diesel technically has no competition in India except from its own cousin – the Passat. The Superb is priced at Rs. 22 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi. The Passat costs Rs. 22.2lakh. The VW scores over the Skoda with its newly introduced common-rail diesel which is less peaky and feels better to pilot. But when one considers the equipment the Skoda comes loaded with and the roomier interiors there cannot be any doubt about which of the two siblings is the real hero ends OverDrive (May ’09).
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