By Dan Strong

April 2002

It almost sounds too good to be true... Skoda's bargain-priced Superb has hit the UK's roads promising to offer the kind of space and luxury usually reserved for the executive car class!

To put these bold claims to the test, Auto Express climbed behind the wheel of the very first right-hand-drive example available in the UK, a frugal 2.0-litre edition costing only ΂£14,200.

Based on a stretched Volkswagen Passat platform, the new Skoda scores its first hit by proving cheaper, yet bigger, than the machine that provides its underpinnings. However, it's not just the VW that finds itself in the Skoda's sights. Family car rivals such as the Vauxhall Vectra and Ford Mondeo are also in the firing line. If first impressions are anything to go by, the competition has real cause for concern. It's no secret that Skoda's build quality has made huge strides forward in recent years, but it still takes a moment or two for it to sink in that the Superb is more than a match for any of its rivals.

Styling is a blend of VW Passat and Skoda Octavia, with a hint of Audi A6. The result is conservative, yet elegant. Slide behind the wheel and you'll notice the doors feel well weighted, and glide open with the merest tug. Thanks to the 2,803mm wheelbase - that's 100mm more than the Passat - there's masses of room inside, too, particularly for passengers in the back. At the rear, a 462-litre boot is made even more accessible with special hinges. Three trim levels are availableί¿½ Classic, Comfort and Elegance. Even in basic Classic guise, equipment levels are generous with climate control, a trip computer and symphony-style stereo system all standard. Safety equipment is first class, too, and in-cludes driver and passenger airbags as well as three-point seatbelts for all.

Fire the engine, and it's obvious that Skoda has paid just as much attention to the quality of the Superb's soundproofing. Despite the fact that our test car was fitted with the VW Group's relatively raw 115bhp 2.0-litre unit, the Superb's cabin remains hushed. A manual gearbox transmits the power effortlessly to the road, ratios are neatly stacked, and it has a smooth, easy action. However, the Superb does struggle a little on winding roads, and serves up the 0-60mph sprint in 11.6 seconds. The engine feels a little strained at high revs, which causes you to shift gear early, making the most of its 172Nm of torque. The 150bhp 1.8-litre 20v Turbo edition is probably a little more versatile, and propels the car from 0-60mph in a more respectable 9.5 seconds. Yet despite the apparent lack of power offered by the 2.0, the car is an im-pressive motorway cruiser and there's no doubting its refinement, either.

Though there is some wind whistle at 70mph, the Superb generates very little road noise, and the suspension rides effortlessly over bumps. On more testing surfaces, sharp cambers or demanding surface changes are notice- able, but the steering is sharp and precise, so you are never short of control.

The brakes also feel powerful, and prove easily up to the job of slowing the Superb without succumbing to fade. It all adds up to a package which ensures the Skoda is a worthy challenger in the family car class, and a sensational achievement for the Czech firm. If you are lucky enough to be considering a new car in this market, the choice really is Superb!

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