It would be wrong to suggest our merged Medium/Large car award winner achieved the result it did this year, based on the performance of its predecessor.
Yes, the Skoda Superb of a generation back did take out class honours in what was then just our Large Car award – a category we have had to adapt in light of the rise of the SUVs over the traditional car segments – but it was a different animal back then.
Today, the Skoda Superb has delivered on its promise to improve over the preceding model in its conventional form. Skoda has also used its flagship in the best way possible, using it to deliver state of the art efficiency technology in the form of the iV plug-in hybrid technology.
The Superb was the first Skoda introduced with its fuel extending electrified technology and that technology’s application – by virtue of its weight – could have impacted on the Superb’s outstanding ride quality.
If anything, the Superb’s ride has become even more cloud-like, which – given the explosion of judder bars around Auckland recently – is definitely a good thing!
Skoda’s 1.4 litre, ICE engine at the front of the car is linked to an 85kW/up to 330Nm electric motor which is also up the front and allows for 60km or so of pure electric running.
Countering the weight of the electric motor is a 13kWh battery positioned just forward of the rear axle and a petrol tank sitting above the rear axle.
We liked the fact that the compromises Skoda had to make to engage a PHEV system were so negligible, we barely registered them. This is still a big, luxuriously appointed car/wagon (you can have either) which is ideal for fleets that need such.
And speaking of fleets … while we were not swayed by the numbers of Superbs registered this year, we felt acknowledgement of Skoda’s fleet business mastery.
Numbers aside, it is more the consideration that two very high-profile fleets with robust procurement practices chose the Superb as their mainstay.
Factor this with the fact that Gen 1 Superb came to within a gnat’s whisker of becoming a Crown Car – and conceivably, could yet become one – and there are all but three votes of confidence that the Superb from Skoda well and truly lives up to its name.
This is good enough for us, and as far as Skoda is concerned, makes the Superb a – fair and square – two time winner of a Company Vehicle Car of the Year award.
