Test drive Skoda Superb

The oldest wineries, orange orchards and the evil red liftback. We bring the most powerful version of the Czech flagship to the scenic routes of southern Spain

I left my car in a tight parking lot of one of the coastal cities, and had already taken a few steps towards the sea, when for some reason I turned around. By that time, several locals had already gathered around the Skoda Superb, who were discussing something vigorously. Who would have thought that a Czech liftback would attract so much attention. Maybe it's the foreign numbers or the bright red color? But no, the whole street was full of scarlet convertibles and cars from other European countries.

As it turned out later, everything is extremely simple: Skoda Superb was the largest car not only on this street, but, it seems, in the whole city. In large metropolitan areas, cars like the Superb do not surprise anyone, but here, on the periphery, people are accustomed to compact hatchbacks. Therefore, everything that surpasses the VW Golf in size is of great interest.

It is possible to see locals on the Costa Blanca and exchange a few phrases with them only in the off-season. In summer, they merge with the endless crowds of tourists who come here with children from all over the world, or even disappear from the streets. And only with the onset of cold weather, the life of coastal cities regains a measured rhythm. But in winter, there are a couple of tourists for every local resident. The cold sea is not a reason to postpone your acquaintance with one of the most famous regions of Spain.

The shortest route from Alicante to Valencia is along the A-7 highway. If you need to get to the place in the shortest possible time - just what you need. I was already familiar with the top-end version of the previous Skoda Superb, and therefore the new generation of the Czech flagship with a 280-horsepower engine is of particular interest to me. Moreover, the manufacturer has finally brought this modification to Russia.

In general, I simply had to drive a certain number of kilometers on a suburban road. First of all, to answer the question: "Is the sound of the V-shaped atmospheric" six ", which was installed on the model until 2016, is so lacking? Highly! But I am a separate case, and I can listen to sounds from under the hood for hours, instead of finally turning on the music. Are there many such crazy people among those who vote in favor of a comfortable car for every day? I think they simply do not exist.

If you look at it, on the scale of mass consumption, the fashion for downsizing successfully fits into the concept of a large car for the whole family. And what are the options with the new modular MQB platform? That's right, only in-line "four" with a reconfigured control program. Although it sounds flatter than the much-loved V6, it surpasses it both in efficiency and in power. From now on, the acoustic comfort in the cabin of any Superb can only be disturbed by wind noise. However, this happens only at those speeds when it is already worth thinking about a fine of several hundred euros.

The top-end Superb also improved in dynamics. With the change of generation, the car dropped 89 kg, thanks to which the spurt from standstill to 100 km / h now takes 0,6 seconds less. This improvement was achieved precisely due to the reduction in weight, because the new engine produces the same 350 Nm of torque, and the power increased by a symbolic 20 hp. Flying acceleration is even easier than before. The motor is perfectly coordinated with the six-speed "robot" DSG, and at any speed it is ready for intensive acceleration on the first command.

On the right hand you can see the skyscrapers of Benidorm, the tourist capital of the Valencia region. It seems that this city was created specifically to rest here. Hotels, amusement parks, restaurants, bars and nightclubs - everything is here to make your summer vacation memorable. Alternatively, there are several sights in the city center that have survived from the Middle Ages, and a six-kilometer promenade for walking. In general, in winter it does not pull here at all.

After another hour of travel, I find myself in Denia. Of course, in the high season, tourists also do not deprive this small resort with cozy beaches. But in the city itself there is something to see - several architectural monuments, an ancient castle and a national park. And it is here that the most delicious raisins in the world are produced. It is not for nothing that special devices for drying grapes are hung at every step in the quiet central quarters of the city. And for some reason, it is here that the understanding comes that it is almost impossible to move along narrow streets on a large liftback. The standard navigation Skoda Superb, as luck would have it, leads through the whole city, and I finally get out onto a country road.

Somewhere ahead is Valencia. The capital of the region of the same name greets you with a crimson sunset, lanterns along the boulevards and unhurried traffic. The city of science, arts and modern architecture is also interesting for the fact that quite recently Formula 1 races took place on its streets. Now this is an abandoned track in the port, where I will definitely get there tomorrow. Now is the time to park your Skoda Superb outside the hotel and head to one of the noisy taverns.

Body type	Liftback
Dimensions (length / width / height), mm	4861/1864/146
Wheelbase, mm	2841
Curb weight, kg	1615
engine's type	Petrol, R4
Working volume, cubic meters cm	1984
Max. power, l. with.	280 / 5600 - 6500
Max. cool. moment, Nm	350 / 1700 - 5600
Drive type, transmission	Full, 6-st. robotic
Max. speed km / h	250
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, s	5,8
Fuel consumption (city / highway / mixed), l / 100 km	8,9/6,1/7,1
Price from, $.	29 656