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Superb 2.5 V6 TDI Elegance

Tax dodger

If you fancy saving a bit of cash, it could be time to 'Czech' your tax bill. Skoda has introduced a new V6 diesel in the Superb, and because the engine complies with tough European emissions laws, it doesn't incur the three per cent company car tax increase normally levied on oil-burners.

By Craig Cheetham

October 2003

If you fancy saving a bit of cash, it could be time to 'Czech' your tax bill. Skoda has introduced a new V6 diesel in the Superb, and because the engine complies with tough European emissions laws, it doesn't incur the three per cent company car tax increase normally levied on oil-burners.

Based on VW's proven 2.5 TDI, it has a new fuel-injection system, turbo and cylinder head, as well as a remapped ECU. The result is a much cleaner and more efficient motor, with the added benefit of a 5bhp power increase and an extra 40Nm of torque.

We drove a top-of-the-range Elegance, which comes with standard automatic transmission - the best combination, as the V6 is well suited to the self-shifter, offering plenty of power and impressive refinement. The lesser Comfort models get a six-speed manual, which has a notchy change and is nowhere near as smooth to drive. But the auto is much dirtier, giving out 213g/km of CO2 compared to the six-speeder's 192g/km. Removing a costly company car tax levy over the outgoing V6 TDI has helped reduce liability from 31 to 27 per cent, yet the model remains four tax brackets higher than a manual model, and a whole six groups above the Mercedes C220 CDI.

That's a shame, because the newcomer is a fine car. The 2.5 TDI Superb might be as good as its name suggests, but the sensible money is on the cheaper four-cylinder 1.9 TDI 130.

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FIRST OPINION

    The Superb's new engine is more flexible and refined than its successor, and the saving it represents for company car drivers is an added bonus. But at £24,800, the Elegance isn't cheap. It's a fine and luxurious addition to the Superb range, but doesn't make a huge amount of financial sense.
 
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