Category Archives: Skoda

Estate/Sport Tourer, Skoda

Estate of the art for Skoda

Leave a comment

Skoda Superb Estate

By Bill McCarthy

IT is a sign of the continued confidence of Skoda and its products that it can produce a huge estate as its first plug-in hybrid, bucking the crossover trend.

Not resting in its well-earned laurels the firm is advancing into electric cars in a big way, starting with the smallest in its portfolio the all-electric Citigo and the largest, driven here, the Superb iV.

 Skoda says that by early 2025, up to 25 per cent of all vehicles are to be electrified and the CO2 emissions of the entire fleet are to be reduced by 30 per cent compared to 2015. 

Its first plug-in-hybrid, the Superb, can cover up to 38 miles  on electric power only, emitting zero emissions and offering low running costs. With a full tank of petrol the 1.4 litre engine and the 85 kW motor gives the car a range of up to  575 miles. The battery can be charged  overnight in about five hours using a standard household plug socket or using a more powerful wall box this takes just three and a half hours. 

The  charging cable for plug sockets is part of the standard equipment, whilst a Mode 3 charging cable is optional.

“It is worth pointing out Skoda Simply Clever features which provide real added value and really do improve life for occupants.”

 Revamped recently, just like the saloon, this estate  has swooping, elegant lines. It looks the part with 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome plated grille which conceals the charging socket, neat decorative door sills front and rear slim LED headlights and clever puddle lights projecting the Skoda brand.

The interior is just as attractive with high-end materials and solid fixtures and fittings more often seen in executive class. Centrepiece is the dash with eight-inch colour screen which controls major functions like navigation, infotainment and Bluetooth connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional extra on this mid-range model is the virtual cockpit, which is customsable to display relevant information such as energy consumption, the battery’s charge level or details on brake energy recovery. 

In typical Skoda style, it is packed with standard kit, including the usual array of electric goodies and creature comforts like multi-function steering wheel, dual zone climate control, heated and powered door mirrors, powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensor, headlight washers and privacy glass, plus a host of other goodies.

It is worth pointing out Skoda Simply Clever features which provide real added value and really do improve life for occupants. These include two umbrella compartments, (just like Rolls Royce), LED torch in the boot, kick sensor to open the tailgate, ice scraper in the  filler cap,  automatically retractable boot cover, front and rear USB ports, retractable sunblind on the side windows and gesture control for selecting on the touchscreen without actually touching it.

The cabin itself is light, airy and spacious with electrically adjustable heated leather front seats, and excellent head and legroom for all occupants, with three seated in relative comfort in the rear with the armrest folded.

As you would expect, stowage capacity is huge, with standard boot space of 660 litres opening up, with seats folded to a massive 1,950 litres, enough to climb into and have a kip in comfort.

Awkward-shaped loads can be fairly easily accommodated, while there are plenty of anchor point to tie down bags or cases. In addition there are plenty of storage bins, cubby holes and spaces dotted throughout the cabin to make this a hugely practical vehicle.

Skodas are no longer cheap cars, but are great value for money. At more than £37k for the tested model you are acquiring an electric vehicle that would cost substantially more if it carried a different badge on the boot or grille.

The car offers lively and, obviously, excellent economy with a nominal 218mpg claimed with extensive use of electric power, but probably nearer 60mpg in the real world. Having said that, if your daily commute is just over 30 miles, visits to the filling station will be rare.

Mated to a six-speed DSG auto box, it delivers excellent performance and when switched to sport mode and using the steering column paddles, is extremely lively, hitting 60mph from a standstill in under eight seconds and on to a top speed of 135mph.

There are three driving modes, electric, hybrid and sport. Switch to sport for a livelier drive, and this can also help recharge the battery for when going through low emissions or congestion charge areas where electric only is required.

 The motorway is where the car feels particularly at home, cruising with ease while the cabin is well protected from road and engine noise. Handling is good for such a big car and the standard stability control ensures  while the ride is comfortable and smooth.

 For safety most of the boxes are ticked with a comprehensive lift of active and passive features including front, side and curtain airbags, plus a driver’s knee airbag, driver fatigue sensor and electronic stability and traction control systems.

Skoda has been going  from strength to strength – it’s obvious why. But now it is literally on a charge.

Factfile

Skoda Superb Estate iV SE-L

Price: £ 37,370

Mechanical: 1798cc, 156PS, four-cylinder  petrol engine and 85kW 115 ps electric motor (218ps combined) driving front wheels via six-speed DSG auto transmission

Maximum speed: 138mph

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds

Economy: 201-148 mpg

Insurance group: 27

CO2 emissions: 33-42g/km

Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles

Family hatchback, Manufacturer, Skoda, Vehicle type

Stay safe with Skoda

Leave a comment

Skoda’s new Octavia has put safety at the forefront with enhanced safety technology warning drivers and passengers to not open their doors into the path of oncoming cyclists.

The all-new fourth-generation Octavia is the first ŠKODA model to feature Exit Warning, and is designed to help reduce the number of instances of ‘dooring’ – where a cyclist is hit by the door of a parked vehicle opened by a passenger or driver.

Exit Warning, which is part of the brand’s Blind Spot Detection system available as standard from SE L First Edition, uses sensors to monitor the rear and sides of the vehicle when stationary.

If a cyclist is detected, the system will warn the driver through a series of visual warnings and by sounding an alert, both of which will continue until the hazard has passed or the doors have been closed. Working on both the front and rear of the car, the alert will reduce the chance of passengers swinging their doors open and causing a possible collision.

The sophisticated cameras in the new Octavia are able to observe possible hazards to the rear of the vehicle up to a distance of 35 metres and at angle of approximately 120°, providing greater assurance for drivers and passengers on when it is safe to exit the car.

The introduction of ŠKODA’s technology will be greeted as a welcome addition by the cycling community, particularly with the UK marking Bike Week 2020, which is taking place from June 6-14.

With many more cyclists expected to take to roads over the summer months as part of their commute to work, the new ŠKODA Octavia further encompasses a range of other advanced safety features to help protect those on two wheels.

Predictive Cycling Protection triggers a cascade of warnings to the driver if a cyclist is detected ahead – and will even engage the emergency brakes if necessary to avoid any possible accident.

Another innovative piece of technology is Turn Assist* which will be introduced for the first time in any ŠKODA, while the Octavia is the first vehicle in its class to have the safety feature. Using the on-board cameras, the system will be able to monitor oncoming traffic when turning right at a junction, as well as identify cyclists and pedestrians. If immediate danger is detected when executing a manoeuvre, the vehicle will be brought to a complete standstill, triggering the warning signal and preventing a possible collision.

Collision Avoidance Assist is another first for ŠKODA. The front cameras of the vehicle are able to detect an impending accident and perform a controlled evasive manoeuvre around the hazard, be that a cyclist or another vehicle. The system uses real-time data provided by the array of cameras and radars to calculate the most appropriate, and crucially the safest, trajectory around the potential danger.

A spokesperson at ŠKODA UK said: “The all-new fourth-generation Octavia is the most technologically advanced ŠKODA yet and one of the most cycle-friendly cars on the market.

“Naturally cyclists face daily challenges associated with cycling on busy roads, including avoiding car doors as they open. The technology introduced in the new Octavia, particularly Exit Warning, is there to assist drivers in helping to mitigate and reduce potential accidents.”

Summary

  • Fourth-generation ŠKODA Octavia features an array of safety features to protect cyclists, making it one of the most cycle-friendly cars on the market
  • Visual and audio alerts are activated when car is stationary, preventing drivers and passengers from opening their doors into cyclists as they ride past
  • Other cycle-friendly technologies include Predictive Cycling Protection, Turn Assist* and Collision Avoidance Assistance

To find out more about the new ŠKODA Octavia, visit www.skoda.co.uk