Skoda chases fleet buyers

Photo / Jacqui Madelin

Changes to the way the Government manages its fleets may have done Skoda a favour. Instead of mourning lost opportunities it's gone looking for new ones, rejigging prices and specification to pitch directly at business buyers.

The Superb has the Commodore and Falcon market in its sights, with the arrival of the wagon, a lower entry price, and four engines topping out with a 3.6-litre V6.

What's new?
The wagon body - Skoda gives its load-haulers the "Combi" tag - with the same spacious cabin but greater luggage capacity, at 633 to 1865 litres.

Prices are down by up to 8.1 per cent depending on model.

And there's this V6 in four-wheel-drive format.

Meanwhile, the entry-level cars gain Bluetooth but lose rear airbags, taking the total to seven.

The high and low-powered 2.0 diesels and the V6 will be joined by a petrol 1.8 TSI at entry-level spec, with a 118kW/250Nm motor matched to a seven speed DSG auto in place of a standard six speed. Its peak torque is available from 1500rpm. That's 2.5-litre levels of performance with a 7.3l/100km thirst and a $48,500 price.

The company line
Skoda NZ GM James Yates says: "I can go to the corporate fleet market and say we've got the wagon for you - and your managers, too." Superb is now priced almost line-ball with Holden's Commodore Omega, which he concedes has a bigger engine - but economy is also important.

He's fixed lower entry-level prices for everything from Fabia up, with lower entry-level specification. And promises smaller, TSI engines to deliver frugal performance.

"TSI has changed buyer perceptions," Yates says, "with buyers increasingly aware these engines put out more power than expected from the capacity while using less fuel."

What we say
This is a handsome wagon, its tapering roofline avoiding too great a compromise of interior space. It's well thought-out, too. The rear seatbases swivel forward, the backs down without removing the head rest, to give a flat floor.

The top-spec cars come with boot luggage rails, dividers, luggage belts and nets. There's also a lift-out boot light torch that's magnetic - stick it to the wing to illuminate your night-time wheel change.

As for Skoda's other models, expect adjustments to spec, engine and price for every model in coming months.

Most welcome is a drop in price for Yeti, which puts this sure-footed little soft-roader smack into mainstream territory where its class should see it stand out.

On the road
The high-power diesel and V6 launch cars were all fitted with 18-inch alloys and sports suspension options.

We were impressed with the smart interiors; with the diesel's low-down grunt and the V6's broad spread of power; and with the ride quality.

Rebound damping in particular was superbly controlled, though the ride seemed just a tad firm. Those drivers seeking comfort could prefer the standard set-up.

The only minor flies in the ointment were a hint of diff whine from the four-by-four V6, and quickly-corrected bump-steer over bigger mid-bend lumps.

Why you'll buy one?
You can have a smart, VW-group European and take the road a little less travelled; at a $46,000 start price the Superb now undercuts Holden's entry-level Omega Commodore.

Why you won't?
You haven't lost your antiquated anti-Skoda preconceptions. You want to boast high power rather than frugal, decent real-world performance.