Škoda's Superb is the stealthiest 'Limo' you can buy. It is massive inside and subtle outside. The latest 'GreenLine' version is now ridiculously economical too!
Based on a stretched VW Passat, Superb was first introduced in 2001. Now three years into its second generation, Superb remains the largest Škoda you can buy. It won't win any beauty contests, but it certainly won't make children cry either. Available as a saloon or 'Combi' estate, Superb has a completely anonymous exterior, although there are a few subtle design details that get approving nods from most business users.
Inside - as it is a VW-owned brand - there is a quality VW Passat-like feel - mainly because most of the switches and controls are shared. My GreenLine test car comes with all the toys, so I have leather seats, AFS (adaptive lights), Parking Assistant PLA (auto parking) and even a DVD player among the gadgets.
Up front the driving position is excellent, but the real party trick with Superb is the rear of the cabin. The back seat passengers get massive legroom, making Superb the car I'd choose if I was a serving Government Minister running a car and driver on expenses.
The second generation Superb came out in 2008 with a new body and an impressive party trick called 'TwinDoor'. This gizmo can only be found in one other car, namely a BMW GT. The TwinDoor boot opens as a boot (as you'd expect) but it can also open as a hatchback. A motorised hinge mechanism let's you choose whether your Superb is a saloon or hatchback! If you don't want to disturb rear seat passengers you can use the boot opening, or if you need a wider/longer opening to fit awkward loads you can select the hatchback opening. It's very clever and works really well.
My GreenLine test car may be the size of a small country inside yet it falls into VRT tax band 'A'! Annual road tax is just €104, and I can carry five fully-formed hairy adults in comfort! There's also enough room in the 565-litre boot to make a mafia hitman jealous. The ride is comfortable and the cabin a quiet and nice place to be.
GreenLine is Škoda's name for all things eco and efficient. In other words, Greenline-badged cars will do exceptional mpg while little bunnies come out of the exhaust pipe. In the real world, GreenLine means you'll make massive running cost savings due to the exceptional fuel economy.
GreenLine's 1.6-litre (105bhp) TDi engine features stop/start technology along with brake energy recuperation that helps recharge the battery when you brake. Special tyres, engine remapping and aerodynamic tweaks all combine to reduce Superb's CO2 (114g) and fuel consumption. The diesel engine will officially average just 4.4 litres to travel 100 kilometres - on test it returned a slightly higher 4.6 average.
My top spec 'Elegance' test car came in at under €30,000, but you can get an entry level GreenLine Superb in 'Comfort' specification for €25,715. That's a hell of a lot of car for your euro. GreenLine features across the Škoda range, starting with the Fabia at €17,950.
GreenLine-badged Škodas are well worth a closer look - especially if your mileage is relatively high.
Michael Sheridan
