Skoda Superb Elegance 2.0 TDi CR - Performance Review

After debuting with a 2.0 TDI Pump Duse diesel engine, Skoda fitted the new Superb with a 2.0 TDI CR (common rail injection) engine a few years back, which is still going strong. This engine makes its authority evident the moment the crank it up. The common rail tech not only makes the engine more silent than its earlier counterpart, it is more refined too. There is still a gravely tone to it, but it is largely muted as compared to most other diesels. The 2.0 TDI variant comes with a six-speed dual-shift tiptronic gearbox (DSG) which feeds the front wheels with the 142 PS of power and 320 Nm of torque coming from the engine. As expected, the gearbox is quick and the inclusion of paddle shifters, which are only available on the Elegance trim, should excite your sporty side when you are not being driven around.

The engine is extremely responsive and manages to sprint to 100 kmph from standstill in well under 10 seconds. While the straight line dash is no big deal for the Skoda Superb, it doesn’t like being in high spirits around the corners all that much. To begin with, its length makes it cumbersome to push the car around the bends and the steering feels a tad too stiff for my liking. There are hoards of safety tech, ensuring that the Superb doesn’t lose its cool around the corners, but all said and done, it’s a luxury car and it’s a crime to expect sportscar dynamics from this machine.

The Superb’s package is not only good for shooting forth at the traffic signal, its gearbox also helps you cruise comfortably with optimum fuel efficiency while maintaining silence in the cabin. The 205/55 section rubber reads ‘low-profile’ on paper but emit significantly low road noise and provide a decent amount of ride comfort. The comfortable seats we talked about and the suspension complement this facet. However, on a series of bumps or potholes, the Superb’s suspension tends to emit thuds. We tested it across varied road conditions to judge this aspect and though the thuds are irritating, they don’t translate into body ache even after a sizeable session off the road.

Conclusion:

The Superb excels in every department that the chauffer-driven customers consider. It is spacious, comes with loads of creature comforts, has the safety features of a premium luxury sedan and is as solidly built as a tank. The Skoda Superb diesel is undoubtedly the car we’ll park our money on if we were to choose a diesel car in the Rs 20-25 lakh bracket.

If features like cruise control, a sunroof and a touch-screen system don’t really catch your fancy, then the Ambition variant should be your choice - because at the price at which it starts – you are actually buying a huge luxury car at the price of a top-end Laura. How better can it get?

Also Read:

Skoda Superb Design Review

Skoda Superb Performance Review