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 i was heading towards Germany�s unrestricted highways in the all new Skoda Superb , on my way to Chiemsee along with automotive journalists from all over the world invited by Skoda for the second-generation Superb�s world debut.
I have driven many cars abroad , however , this was my first time on the opposite side of the road. Approaching the freeway as calmly and carefully as I possibly could , my only reservation was about keeping up with other fast cars due to a somewhat smaller diesel mill under the hood. Minutes later , I was happily cruising in excess of 150km/h with the six-speed DSG �box slotted in drive mode. A couple of other vehicles took notice of the new Superb. The car captured more than just a passing glance. Heck , I even got a thumbs up sign as I overtook a current generation Superb on the road. That , ladies and gentlemen , says a lot.
Soon , I exited the highway , onto City roads and stopped at a gas station for a quick bite. Stepping out , I could really appreciate the new look that Skoda designers have successfully incorporated. The front end , without a second thought , reminds One of the BMW. While the earlier Superb had a square-ish front look , this new avatar looks sleeker and classier. Side on , not much has changed , but the rear for sure looks simple and a bit low-rent when compared to the front. The C shaped tail lamps with a big Skoda logo in between just don�t impart the classiness and premium feel the car oozes when seen from the front three-quarter angle.
500 x 333)_61700766.jpg')" href="javascript:;">_61700766.jpg) But , on the whole , the new look is impressive and definitely imparts a posh feel. The broad C-pillar adds muscle to the car and also houses the hinge mechanism for the twin-door concept. A much talked about feature , the twin-door concept cleverly benefits in terms of providing the best of both the worlds � versatility of a hatchback combined with looks of a saloon as well as providing class leading boot space that can shame quite a few premium estates!
Every single control felt easy to reach and operate and while adhering to Austria�s rather prudent speed limit of 80km/h , I got a chance to luxuriate in the car�s surroundings. On the way back to the hotel later in the evening , I got a chance to sit at the rear and appreciate the roominess of the car. The roofline is carried further back to provide good rear headroom. The previous Superb was never short on interior space , but the engineers have managed to make the interiors even more spacious with a smaller wheelbase! Even with the front seat pushed way back , I had no issues whatsoever at the rear. The rear seats are where most of the owners will be spending a lot of time and judging by my twenty minute chauffeured ride back to the hotel , I can vouch for the comfort and support they provide.
Skoda will be offering a range of engines ranging from the 125PS 1.4-litre petrol to the top-of-the-line 260PS 3.2FSI one. I picked up the keys to the one which will probably be hitting the Indian market - the 2.0-litre TDI with Pump Duse and Diesel Particle Filter technologies. This engine produces a healthy 140PS of power with an equally impressive 320Nm of torque. Though I was initiallyskeptical about the performance of the heavy 1490kg car , all my doubts were laid to rest on the 250km odd drive through Austria and Germany. It was easy keeping the car at an indicated 140-150km/h on the German highways and through inviting hilly roads of Austria too.
Whil_26669123.jpg) e the last Superb was no slouch through corners , Skoda has worked on the suspension a lot to make it feel more lithe and alert. Approach a corner fast , and the direct steering gives immediate feedback of how the car is behaving. The car�s handling makes you forget the enormous mass it carries.
Then there are a few small , but oh so important features like the brightly lit clear white instrument numerals , air controls in the A and B pillar angled to demist the side windows , umbrella storage in the rear door , moveable foot rests for the rear passengers and the �Superb� logo etched on the headlamps. Clever and neat , all this just adds to the good ownership feel over a period of time. Pricing has not been set yet , but when it does land on our shores early next year , it will seriously give a complex to the more expensive German brands. Superlative!
More photos:
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I have driven many cars abroad , however , this was my first time on the opposite side of the road. Approaching the freeway as calmly and carefully as I possibly could , my only reservation was about keeping up with other fast cars due to a somewhat smaller diesel mill under the hood. Minutes later , I was happily cruising in excess of 150km/h with the six-speed DSG �box slotted in drive mode. A couple of other vehicles took notice of the new Superb. The car captured more than just a passing glance. Heck , I even got a thumbs up sign as I overtook a current generation Superb on the road. That , ladies and gentlemen , says a lot.
Soon , I exited the highway , onto City roads and stopped at a gas station for a quick bite. Stepping out , I could really appreciate the new look that Skoda designers have successfully incorporated. The front end , without a second thought , reminds One of the BMW. While the earlier Superb had a square-ish front look , this new avatar looks sleeker and classier. Side on , not much has changed , but the rear for sure looks simple and a bit low-rent when compared to the front. The C shaped tail lamps with a big Skoda logo in between just don�t impart the classiness and premium feel the car oozes when seen from the front three-quarter angle.
500 x 333)_61700766.jpg')" href="javascript:;">_61700766.jpg)
But , on the whole , the new look is impressive and definitely imparts a posh feel. The broad C-pillar adds muscle to the car and also houses the hinge mechanism for the twin-door concept. A much talked about feature , the twin-door concept cleverly benefits in terms of providing the best of both the worlds � versatility of a hatchback combined with looks of a saloon as well as providing class leading boot space that can shame quite a few premium estates!
Every single control felt easy to reach and operate and while adhering to Austria�s rather prudent speed limit of 80km/h , I got a chance to luxuriate in the car�s surroundings. On the way back to the hotel later in the evening , I got a chance to sit at the rear and appreciate the roominess of the car. The roofline is carried further back to provide good rear headroom. The previous Superb was never short on interior space , but the engineers have managed to make the interiors even more spacious with a smaller wheelbase! Even with the front seat pushed way back , I had no issues whatsoever at the rear. The rear seats are where most of the owners will be spending a lot of time and judging by my twenty minute chauffeured ride back to the hotel , I can vouch for the comfort and support they provide.
Skoda will be offering a range of engines ranging from the 125PS 1.4-litre petrol to the top-of-the-line 260PS 3.2FSI one. I picked up the keys to the one which will probably be hitting the Indian market - the 2.0-litre TDI with Pump Duse and Diesel Particle Filter technologies. This engine produces a healthy 140PS of power with an equally impressive 320Nm of torque. Though I was initiallyskeptical about the performance of the heavy 1490kg car , all my doubts were laid to rest on the 250km odd drive through Austria and Germany. It was easy keeping the car at an indicated 140-150km/h on the German highways and through inviting hilly roads of Austria too.
Whil_26669123.jpg)
e the last Superb was no slouch through corners , Skoda has worked on the suspension a lot to make it feel more lithe and alert. Approach a corner fast , and the direct steering gives immediate feedback of how the car is behaving. The car�s handling makes you forget the enormous mass it carries.
Then there are a few small , but oh so important features like the brightly lit clear white instrument numerals , air controls in the A and B pillar angled to demist the side windows , umbrella storage in the rear door , moveable foot rests for the rear passengers and the �Superb� logo etched on the headlamps. Clever and neat , all this just adds to the good ownership feel over a period of time. Pricing has not been set yet , but when it does land on our shores early next year , it will seriously give a complex to the more expensive German brands. Superlative!
More photos:
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