Skoda recently launched the new Superb in India. We find out if it lives up to its legacy.
What is it?
One of India's most popular luxury cars, the Skoda Superb appeals to Indian car buyers because it is both a full-sized luxury car and relatively affordable at the same time. A car whose strengths mesh perfectly with the needs of Indian luxury car buyers, the Superb is big, attractive and space and comfort on the inside are as good as cars priced twice as much.
Skoda offers the new Superb with two engines and transmissions options. The 1.8-litre petrol that outputs 177bhp comes mated to either a manual six-speed gearbox or a seven-speed DSG auto. The 2.0-litre diesel engine comes with only a six-speed twin clutch automatic gearbox and develops 174bhp and a massive 36kgm of torque. The Superb is available in five versions, with two basic trim levels – Style and Laurin&Klement.
The base 1.8 TSI manual starts at Rs 23.82 lakh. Despite being the lower spec version of the two, it does get quite a bit of kit. Things like like bi-xenon headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, 12-way electric adjust driver seat, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with SmartLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and it even gets safety kit like electronic stability control and eight airbags, among a host of other safety features. The Style trim can also be had with the seven-speed auto for Rs 25.13 lakh, and with the diesel six-speed automatic, it costs Rs 27.73 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).
The higher trim level or Laurin&Klement edition comes with a premium Canton sound system, ambient interior lighting, driver fatigue detection system, gesture controlled boot lid, 12-way electric adjust passenger seat and a three-zone climate control system, among others. The model with the petrol auto 'box in this trim will cost Rs 28.25 lakh and the diesel auto will cost you Rs 30.85 lakh. Question is, how good is it? Does it take the entry luxury game forward, and by how much?