Czech traditionalist: Skoda Superb iV - a fine part-time electric car

Skoda's luxury model is now launching with an improved plug-in hybrid drive. The top-of-the-line Superb iV model can now travel over 100 kilometers on electric power thanks to a larger battery. It is intended to appeal to company car drivers as well as commuters and family fathers.

This Skoda Superb is a truly traditional model. The Czech company named its flagship model this way back in 1934. Production ended in 1949; the new Russian bosses at the Skoda factory considered the model too "Western" and too expensive. Fifty-two years later, the new owner, Volkswagen, approved the factory management's idea of ​​adding a large mid-size car bearing the Skoda logo back to the lineup.

We're now on the sixth Superb. From the very beginning to the present day, the VW Passat has played an important role, serving as a source of inspiration for the engine and interior. While always retaining the character of a typical Skoda with its clever details.

With the new Superb, which is now being launched, the Wolfsburg-based parent company is providing the technology for an important step into Skoda's electric future. There are already fully electric and successful electric vehicles from the Czech Republic. Customers have to accept long wait times for the SUV models Enyaq and Elroq. The new Superb is not a "true" electric car, but rather a plug-in hybrid. It combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an 85 kW electric motor.

There is plenty of space in the back

Together, the duo produces 150 kW/204 hp. More importantly, the 27.5 kWh battery now provides long-distance power, more than double that of its predecessor. The combustion engine can travel more than 100 kilometers without using the fuel tank. A reasonable range for those who commute from their country cottage to the office and back, especially on weekdays. In these cases, the battery can usually manage a single charge at the charging station.

Because the new Superb was developed in conjunction with the equally new generation of the VW Passat, the company saved a lot of money. Perhaps also because Germany's number one company car is now only available as a station wagon. The even greater sense of space, a traditional feature of previous Superb models, is tangible. At 4.90 meters, the newcomer has grown by 4 centimeters. The legroom in the rear is particularly impressive thanks to the generous 2.85 meter wheelbase.

A dimension that will make station wagon fans in the VW community sit up and take notice. VW customers also benefit from the joint venture with the Eastern European subsidiary. While the previous Passat was significantly shorter than the Superb, the dimensions are now the same. The VW has grown in size, while the Skoda has become a touch narrower. All of this simplifies production at the joint factory in Bratislava, Slovakia, where Skoda has relocated from Mlada Boreslav and VW from Emden.

No more gear lever, more air

Back to the Superb and the remaining sedan, one of the few on the European market. The increased length has benefited the car's appearance. Of course, despite minor design changes, the new model is immediately recognizable as a typical Superb. Among the most important innovations are the slimmer headlights and taillights. A colored crystalline element called Crystallinium complements the hexagonal matrix modules of the LED matrix headlights, creating a three-dimensional effect.

The range of assistance systems has been further expanded to the luxury-class level. In addition to the familiar systems, curve and intersection assistants are new. A front radar, which is responsible for emergency braking, also provides predictive cyclist protection as standard. Up to ten airbags are on board, including a central airbag.

The confidence with which you drive the Superb remains. The familiar gearshift lever of previous versions is no longer needed. The previously bulky automatic gear selector has been relocated to the right side of the steering column as a small control unit. This creates a sense of airiness up front. After some familiarization, future customers will find it "superb" (French for great). Behind the steering wheel, a 10.25-inch display provides the necessary data. The large central screen has grown to 13 inches.

Motors mesh well together

The enhanced adaptive suspension is immediately noticeable during driving. It uses two independently controlled valves per shock absorber and regulates rebound and compression separately. This is supposed to make the dampers respond more quickly and smooth out any unwanted noise. However, this comes at an additional cost.

The 4.90-meter-long vehicle is typically unobtrusive in everyday life, relying on its precise steering and, in an emergency, excellent braking. Everything is as usual with Skoda. The interaction between the two engines runs discreetly in the background without any input from the driver. The driver can force the system to always run on electric power, but can also instruct it to maintain the current charge level with the help of the combustion engine. This is helpful if the destination is in an environmental zone. This is familiar from other cars of this type.

The bottom line is that the Skoda impresses as a modern, driver-friendly sedan and could entice some fans to abandon the SUV craze. The sedan is alive and kicking. And if you don't forget to charge it, you can even enjoy truly climate-neutral driving in the new Superb.