Test drive Mercedes E 200, BMW 520i, Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI: Guest in class
Content
Ambitious big Skoda challenges elite German models
A big car at a reasonable price is the most common assessment of the Skoda Superb. And couldn't the Czech model bother with her qualities and well-established business limousines? This will clarify the comparison test with the Mercedes E-Class and the BMW Series 5.
The cup competition has its own laws, football buffs mutter every year when the big Bundesliga teams are forced to show themselves against unknown teams from the lower groups. Then unpleasant surprises are not uncommon. Now for us it will be like a battle for the cup - with the uncomfortable question of whether the profile representative of the ambitious middle class is not better in terms of the combination of his qualities than the recognized values in the elite league.
After all, the Mercedes E 200 and BMW 520i cost several thousand euros more than the Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI, whose status as a wonder of space and flexibility is already well known? And the fact that the great Czech is armed with 36 hp. moreover, there really is nothing wrong.
BMW 5 Series in full maturity
In the BMW 5 Series, Skoda meets a competitor that traditionally comes off the assembly line with an extra bit of agility. True, the romantics will miss the whistle of a six-cylinder engine, but what comes from the Bavarian engine sounds pretty decent - and, as you can feel, is a pleasure. Despite the relatively low torque, the BMW 520i rushes forward and definitely outperforms the Mercedes model in acceleration, pleasing the driver with a cheerful mood and moderate consumption (9,6 liters). Added to this is the perfect interaction with the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which without much thought is always ready with the right ratio and does not stand out in the foreground due to unnecessary gear changes. The fact that the "five" has gradually reached maturity as an exemplary example of convenient function control - with its extremely logical iDrive system, clear graphics on the projection display (2769 lev.) and very good map display - is now widespread. known fact. You sit down, adjust the excellent sports seats (976 lev.), and the fun begins - things like this (
This is facilitated by both adaptive dampers (2590 lev.) and the integrated active steering system (3486 lev.). Every time you are pleased with how precisely and willingly a BMW model can be turned from corner to corner with a slight movement of the steering wheel. If you overdo it, the car starts to turn slightly - and that's it. If the driver and passengers in the very comfortable back seat are willing, the five can give them peace of mind. In comfort mode, the 520i's suspension soaks up bumps in a balanced and harmonious manner, but can sometimes trip you up with a slight thud against the chassis. Although BMW installed shoes with a board size of 245 and above instead of the 7709 tires from the Luxury Line package, which costs 225 leva (which can also be ordered by the customer without a refund), and in tests of dynamics on the road, the 520i shows no weaknesses - only when braking the model behind the Mercedes representative.
Mercedes E 200 - a lot of technology and comfort
However, it does include an 18-inch mixed padding (4330 lv.) - wide front tires in size 245 and even more impressive rear tires (275). These formats do not seem like boasting - they rather fit harmoniously into the overall look of this car, filled to the brim with innovation and technology. And a look at the measured values shows that wide tires do make a difference. At any speed, the E 200 achieves an impressive stopping distance, which of course is due to the very well tuned ABS. In addition, the E-Class, equipped with air suspension (4565 200 lev.), delights with its behavior in corners. The impression of a very large car, emphasized by an ultra-wide dashboard, disappears even after the first meters. Because the Mercedes E XNUMX can be accelerated accurately and accurately in any type of cornering – with great steering feedback and a constant feeling of superior safety.
This feeling is fully justified, because if you put the right crosses on the most important pages of a thick price list, then you can count on currently uncompetitive assistance in the field of safety and comfort - up to partially autonomous movement. Mercedes is also setting the benchmark for handling offerings. The head-up display (2382 lv.) presents a lot of information, and with Blackberry phone-style steering wheel buttons, readings such as navigation can be moved between the large main controls or on the tachometer when the widescreen map on the right is not displayed. enough. For some, this feels like overkill because the buttons are hard to identify by touch, while others feel happy when they finally manage to master the rather complex function controls.
With so much electronics, dynamic driving capabilities, and a high quality suspension that only allows small weaknesses in small bumps from driving, the drive somehow disappears from the spotlight. However, there is something to be said for the four-cylinder engine, which is paired as standard with a nine-speed torque converter automatic. Worthy of praise is its consumption of just 9,6 liters, as well as its imperceptible whisper at a constant speed with a little gas. Then the E 200 – thanks to the BGN 2640 package for acoustic comfort with insulated glass – offers travel comfort unattainable by others. However, when boosted, the four-cylinder engine raises its angry voice with unexpected force, and the transmission is so proud of its many gears that it tends to change them as often as possible when you hit full throttle. Then - not always smoothly - he downshifts down to three or even four without being rewarded with impressive temperament.
Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI with the best drive
Everything looks very different in Superb. Along with incredible second-row space and excellent access through the large rear bonnet and the spacious estate-like trunk, the two-liter TSI engine is the big Skoda's strong point. With good sound, strong bite during acceleration and a quick set of speed, if desired with the lowest consumption (9,0 liters), it imposes a pace that competitors cannot keep up with.
In terms of performance, the engine benefits from the support of a fast and precise dual-clutch transmission, which, however, has only seven and is too fast in sport mode. The real hit is the Superb with the Laurin & Klement equipment line for just under 41 euros. (In Bulgaria, the Edition level costs BGN 000). It contains such rich equipment that, in a comparable configuration, it saves an amount compared to competitors, which is quite sufficient for a small car. In some other respects, the Skoda doesn't fare quite as well - for example, the suspension isn't exactly smooth despite stock adjustable dampers, the driver's seat is oddly high and offers relatively little lateral support. The lightweight steering system conveys some vague feedback, and traffic noise is canceled out well, but not perfectly.
BMW and Mercedes play a class higher
But before you get the wrong impression, it goes without saying that this easy-to-drive Skoda has a lot to offer. However, the BMW and Mercedes models outperform it in many details that require effort to perfect, which may explain the higher price. However, such relativity does not hold in the matter of brake quality. In this respect, the Superb is clearly mediocre: at 170 km/h, for example, it needs ten meters more stopping distance than a Mercedes model and four meters more than a BMW model. In the end, the Skoda Superb failed to break the elite pair in quality assessment, but in the end, the low price puts it in a good second place. Little surprise.
Text: Michael Harnishfeger
Photo: Arturo Rivas
Evaluation
1. Mercedes E 200 Exclusive – 443 points
The most expensive car wins by a decent margin. Comfort and safety are at a very good level, there is no shortage of dynamics. The power tract is not that bright.
2. Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI L&K – 433 points
Space, convenient control of functions and prices from Skoda are excellent, drive too. There is a lag for ride comfort, and the brakes do not have enough bait.
3. BMW 520i – 425 points
The smart and comfortable "five" is already a year old. As far as driver assistance goes, it has no chance ahead of the E-Class, and below it is ahead of the cheap Skoda.
technical details
| 1. Mercedes E 200 Exclusive | 2. Skoda Superb 2.0 NO L&K | 3. BMW 520i | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working volume | 1991 cc cm | 1984 cc cm | 1997 cc cm |
| Power | 184 k.s. (135 kW) at 5500 rpm | 220 k.s. (162 kW) at 4500 rpm | 184 k.s. (135 kW) at 5000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 300 Nm at 1200 rpm | 350 Nm at 1500 rpm | 270 Nm at 1250 rpm |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 9,0 with | 7,2 with | 7,9 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 34,0 m | 37,2 m | 35,9 m |
| full speed | 240 km / h | 245 km / h | 233 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 9,6 l / 100 km | 9,0 l / 100 km | 9,6 l / 100 km |
| Base Price | 86 370 BGN | 63 460 BGN (Edition) | 86 250 BGN |
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