All-new Skoda Superb hatches at Geneva

Skoda has released a glut of new images of the new Superb hatch/saloon in time for the Geneva Motor Show.

Six power plants will manifest themselves in the vicinity of the new Skoda Superbs engine bays, ranging from a 1.4 litre Turbo that pushes out an unashamed 120bhp through to a rough-and-tumble 3.6 litre V6 petrol wedge of metal that chases 260 horses (the most potent production Skoda to date) from its confines in the name of advancement.

And what advancement it is. Sprinting from calm to 62mph in 6.5 seconds, this brute of a Superb only stands gasping for breath as the needle relents at 155mph.

The ones that will do the briskest of business here in the UK however will be the 1.8 litre TSI, 160bhp petrol-engined turbo along with the redoubtable diesels that come in the three bubble-wrapped packages. A reputed 105bhp 1.9 litre TDI unit and a brace of 2.0 litre TDI variants whose power escalate from 140 to 170bhp will score highly on the manufacturer UK sales chart.

The range-topping V6 gets a six-speed DSG transmission befitting the flagship model, owners of the 1.8 TSI can save up for it and request it with their Skoda sales bod. All Superb models are front-wheel driven, although four-wheel drive is a standard procedure witnessed on the V6, owners of the 1.8 petrol and the most purposeful oil-burner can tick the appropriate option boxes should they want something extra grippy under the seat of their pants.

Always prepared to give in and furiously scratch the innovative itch in their heads, Skoda engineers have gone and invented the worlds first 'Hatchoon'. No really.

Being adults they've christened it the TwinDoor system, and it basically fuses the unlimited access of a conventional hatchback with the unmitigated security joys associated with having a secluded boot.

Whichever way you look at it, once inside the bowels of the Superb the owner gets to marvel at the more than generous 565 litres of space they have at their convenient disposal at no cost to rear passenger comfort.

Up to nine airbags are included - dependent on how much you've forked out - and optional bits of electric bobs stretch to a touch screen navigational, bi-xenon headlamps and an automated parking system. Being a Skoda pretty much anything else you could ever use in a car is at hand as standard.

Just before we bid 2008 farewell, an environmentally-prudent Superb will stand up and be counted, and take its place in the upcoming GreenLine identity parade, emitting 136 g/km of CO2 skyward.

Top ten family saloons

Family cars - namely saloons - don´t need to merely be about practicality, interior space and running costs. Many are great to drive, good-looking and gadget-heavy.

New Skoda Superb given head up on prices

New Skoda Superb prices announced, with £14,915 1.4-litre TSI S getting its 24-model, Twindoor-inclusive show on UK roads in September. With petrol, diesel, 4X4 and DSG semi-automated, twin-clutch 'pick 'n' mix'.

New Skoda Superb NCAP safety ratings

The new Skoda Superb has received a maximum five-star NCAP rating for adult protection in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety tests.

New Skoda Superb details

Is it a hatch? Is it a saloon? Actually it´s both, and the new Skoda Superb looks set to rattle some cages in the upper- market saloon sector.

Skoda unveils the new Superb

Skoda´s flagship Superb will be available to buy in the UK later this year with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, manual or DSG boxes, plenty of gadgets and nine airbags.

Name

Comments

Validation	Please enter the text to the left (case sensitive)
Reload