Skoda Superb 280
Loads of power in an unassuming estate? Sign us up!
Fortunately enough, it has exactly the kind of appeal that we like. Namely by combining plentiful power with huge practicality and a level of visual modesty rarely seen in a world of M-Line Sport AMG 120hp diesels. Dare it be said, the Superb 280 is kind of cool.
As you may have guessed from the name, this Skoda uses the 280hp version of the 2.0-litre EA888 turbo that sees service in all manner of VW group hot hatches. As owners of those cars will know also, it's an eminently tuneable engine, with 350hp merely a software tweak away. But let's not get carried away just yet; as standard the Superb 280 will hit 62mph in 5.8 seconds and 155mph, aided in those efforts by standard DSG and all-wheel drive. Quick by any standards, and indeed the fastest Skoda ever produced. To demonstrate (and celebrate) the fact, Skoda has pitched the Superb against a few old supercar icons in a drag race - see the video here.
Elsewhere, the 280 is regular Superb. It carries no vRS or similar branding, instead offered with a choice of SE L Executive, Laurin & Klement or Sportline specifications and either the hatch or estate body. All models come as standard with leather, sat-nav and heated seats. Oh yes, and a 660-litre boot in the estate.
Officially the Superb 280 costs from £31,445 for the hatch or £32,745 for the wagon. When an A4 S Line TDI with 150hp costs £32,000, that looks even better value. Plus, as is so often the way with large, petrol engined cars, the Superb is already depreciating. This white estate with 3,500 miles is £28,999. Long live the mainstream fast estate!
Leon image: Ben Lowden
Wish they'd put this powertrain in the Octavia!
In 'comfort' mode, it's completely floaty barge-tastic, but firms up very nicely in sport mode - feels similar to my wife's Octavia VRS in this mode.
I don't know what the non-DCC setup is like though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQDSewqE1gM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7YSsW4g1jU
We fit two adults and three kids in it (two of whom are in child seats) and a boot full of luggage and I still get to hoon about the B roads on the weekends. It's not perfect, and the factory throttle map is dull (pedal box to the rescue) but overall it's a cracking Q car and family bus that's barely any worse on fuel than a clattery TDI, but twice as much fun and twice as refined. If it had mechanical steering, slightly tighter suspension and a more responsive throttle map from factory it'd be near perfect.
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