Wednesday 26th September 2018

Skoda Superb 2.0 Laurin & Klement: Spotted

Seen the 560hp Superb in Readers' Cars? Now it's for sale!

---

Who doesn't love an innocuous performance car? A sleeper if you must. Cars that conceal considerable performance beneath a distinctly ordinary exterior have a unique appeal, particularly as more and more new models seem to have more stylistic mouth than engineering trousers. The slightly underhand and dishonest nature of a sleeper, externally diffident yet boasting serious muscle underneath, has been charming petrolheads for generations - long may it continue.

Arguably the one thing better than a frumpy fast car from the factory is a homebrew special, because there are no limits beyond the builder's imagination. At the end of the day manufacturers have to sell the cars, so they must appeal quite broadly - a BMW M5 is subtle as performance cars go, but there are still a few tell-tale signs. And, well, there are long standing associations with BMW saloons being quick; finding out it actually is wouldn't be much of a surprise.

But a 560hp Skoda Superb? That would be a discovery. Because while Skoda has 20 years of making quick cars for the UK market, there never has been (and never will be) anything quite so extreme. The most powerful Skoda currently available is the 280hp Superb - a car we're extremely fond of after a year spent with it - and it delivers an expertly brewed blend of performance, practicality and subtly handsome good looks. Just imagine it with twice the power...

Once upon a time this car was a mere 2.0-litre Superb Laurin and Klement with 280hp. (Note how the luxury accoutrements make it even more unassuming than the racier Sportline.) However, thanks to a dedicated overhaul by PHer 'micloi' that's left no part of the car unchanged, it's now capable of 11.4-second quarter miles thanks to more than 500hp. In fact, for an in depth breakdown of exactly what has happened when, see micloi's thread on the Superb in Readers' Cars here.

Now the big Skoda is up for sale, so naturally we had to feature it. Seeing '560bhp' tagged onto the end of 'Skoda Superb 2.0 Laurin and Klement TSI DSG 5D Auto' can't help but raise a smile, the car looking for all the world like the other Superbs available right now. Alright, so the wheels aren't standard and some might clock the lower ride height, but this is still extremely discreet for the performance on offer.

The price? £34,995. While not the most expensive Superb available, that's still a fair chunk of cash. Credit where it's due to micloi though - he has responded to all of those on the thread querying his logic. The Superb is described as "special in its own way", and there really can't be anything else like it around.

So while there are plenty of other 500hp+ saloon options at this money - M5, Panamera Turbo, E63, XFR-S and so on - all of those are known quantities and familiar to everyone. A Skoda Superb that's as fast as a Lamborghini is not familiar, and for that reason it's hard not to admire the work that's gone in here. Hopefully this little piece of PH history can continue to entertain its next owner, and we can't wait to see what micloi can conjure up next...

---

SPECIFICATION - SKODA SUPERB 2.0 LAURIN & KLEMENT

Engine: 1,998cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch auto, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@1,700rpm
CO2: 160g/km
MPG: 39.8
First registered: 2015
Recorded mileage: 26,000
Price new: £37,120
Yours for: £34,995

See the original advert here.

(Specification for standard car)

 

[Hairymonster]

Love the 'Greenline' badge on the back!

[spookly]

And it still does 39mpg??

[anonymous-user]

The problem is you can get these cars used for 18k so nearly double doesn't represent great value. Standard with a remap great value, 400 bhp for a few hundred.

[J4CKO]

Yeah, love whats been done but its 35 grand for a 3 year old 26k Superb ? you generally dont get your money back on mods. Not sure how much has been spent but tuning an engine up to double its original output doesnt generally fill buyers with confidence and to be honest most arent all that fussed anyway.

35 grand is cloud cuckoo land.

[Dale487]

At that kind of money I'd get the Panamera Turbo - but I admire whats been achieved.

[hyphen]

Dale487 said:

At that kind of money I'd get [Insert alternative car at £35k] - but I admire whats been achieved.

Unfortunately most of us will be the same, but hope OP finds the right enthusiast.

[flyingscot68]

These are FWD are they not?

Can't imagine what it's like with 560bhp, torque steering all over the place?

[kambites]

flyingscot68 said:

These are FWD are they not?

Can't imagine what it's like with 560bhp, torque steering all over the place?

Haldex 4wd.

[Jonny_]

For that price one would hope a cast iron warranty on all drivetrain components is included!

[Roger Irrelevant]

hyphen said:

Dale487 said:

At that kind of money I'd get [Insert alternative car at £35k] - but I admire whats been achieved.

Unfortunately most of us will be the same, but hope OP finds the right enthusiast.

As do I, the trouble is almost all sleeper enthusiasts are enthusiastic about building their own. I love a sleeper as much as the next man but if I had as much as £35k to spend on one I'd be making something from scratch.

[dunnoreally]

Very cool. If it were mine I'd have left the badge and grille standard for maximum q-car, though. As it is, the looks aren't exactly saying "560bhp" but they do suggest a remap and aftermarket K&N filter.

[WJNB]

Hairymonster said:

Love the 'Greenline' badge on the back!

That's the green London buses what go out into the country innit?

[ducnick]

You have to applaud it. But 560bhp out of a 2 Litre 4 pot is staggering. That sort of power means drag car frequent strip downs surely. It must be running huge amounts of boost. Probably makes a fantastic sleeper if you dial the boost down to 400bhp safe in the knowledge that the rods will take plenty more power before exiting the crank case horizontally.

[Helicopter123]

Ambitious price.

[pSyCoSiS]

I quite like that and the Superb in general. This is definitely the ultimate Q car.

But if I had the choice (and funds) I'd probably also go for the F10 M5.

[JMF894]

J4CKO said:

Yeah, love whats been done but its 35 grand for a 3 year old 26k Superb ? you generally dont get your money back on mods. Not sure how much has been spent but tuning an engine up to double its original output doesnt generally fill buyers with confidence and to be honest most arent all that fussed anyway.

35 grand is cloud cuckoo land.

This basically.

I love it and have followed the owner's thread but sorry 35k is dreaming.

[JMF894]

kambites said:

flyingscot68 said:

These are FWD are they not?

Can't imagine what it's like with 560bhp, torque steering all over the place?

Haldex 4wd.

You stupid boy. Read.

[Nerdherder]

JMF894 said:

J4CKO said:

Yeah, love whats been done but its 35 grand for a 3 year old 26k Superb ? you generally dont get your money back on mods. Not sure how much has been spent but tuning an engine up to double its original output doesnt generally fill buyers with confidence and to be honest most arent all that fussed anyway.

35 grand is cloud cuckoo land.

This basically.

I love it and have followed the owner's thread but sorry 35k is dreaming.

Indeed.

[Nerdherder]

PH, you missed an opportunity to publish the article very clickbaity title! "One reason you will want the most expensive used Skoda Superb in the world: 560 Horsepower", or something like that. Ps I'm available as clickbait consultant for a very modest tariff.

[Onehp]

ducnick said:

You have to applaud it. But 560bhp out of a 2 Litre 4 pot is staggering. That sort of power means drag car frequent strip downs surely. It must be running huge amounts of boost. Probably makes a fantastic sleeper if you dial the boost down to 400bhp safe in the knowledge that the rods will take plenty more power before exiting the crank case horizontally.

You need to keep up, it isn't 1980-ies anymore. The EA888 gen 3 is easily tuned to 400hp with a intake and turbo back metal catted exhaust, we're talking thousands if not more running this level without issue. More than a handful run 560hp without opening the engine and without immediate problems, at this point most auxiliaries aren't original anymore of course. This one however features a fully built engine and 560hp here is the safe tune you are looking for. If you want to go mental, you could probably push for 650hp+ if you find the right turbo (I think they exist now).
35k is a lot, but to make this project yourself, you will lose a lot more still. A potential buyer can take it further still if that is their thing. Myself, I would settle for 450hp or so and put the rest towards to trying to make it handle, if you spec one right these are already much lighter and much roomier (and a lot cheaper, new, or in maintenance) than the cars mentioned above... As such it is a unique offering...

Edited by Onehp on Thursday 27th September 08:34