Skoda Superb: the flagship sedan gets a facelift, changes under the cap.

The Excellent has at all times been a brilliantly-rounded mannequin that may make you query the necessity to spend extra for the same dimension German-made luxurious sedan.

For 2020, Skoda has given its flagship sedan a facelift although it’s underneath the bonnet the place the most important change is. The Excellent has made the dramatic change to petrol-only energy; the likeable 2.0-litre diesel and 1.Eight TSI turbo-petrol make manner for a brand new, extra highly effective 2.Zero TSI turbo-petrol unit. There are two distinct variations of the Excellent on provide: the driver-centric Sportline and the luxurious mannequin Laurin & Klement (L&Okay). The excellence is all the way down to the outside and inside packages. The one we check is the L&Okay. So, what’s it like?

Like a boss

On the beauty facet, the styling tweaks are fairly refined. The headlights are actually slimmer LED items that fuse into a slightly bigger grille. The redone entrance bumper offers the Excellent a fuller face whereas the restyled air dam now comes flanked by aero-enhancing Air Curtains on the L&Okay trim. On the Sportline, the bling is toned down; there’s blacked-out detailing on the grille, home windows and tail apart from a discrete lip spoiler on the boot lid.

Inside, little has modified however that isn’t a nasty factor — the cabin feels plush with a beneficiant use of soft-touch supplies.Whereas the L&Okay encompasses a extra typical black-on-beige search for its interiors, the Excellent Sportline adopts an all-black theme. The latter’s Alcantara upholstery, racier entrance seats with built-in headrests, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and digital dials promise a sportier driving really feel. The L&Okay’s entrance seats are giant and supportive, and the 12-way electrical alter makes it straightforward to discover a comfy seating place. Within the rear, a ‘Boss Button’ on the L&Okay permits extra space to the rear left passenger by sliding the seat ahead.

On the gear facet, customary options embrace eight airbags, a single-pane sunroof and an 8.0-inch touchscreen that provides crisp graphics and slick contact response. The Sportline misses out on heated/ventilated entrance seats that the L&Okay presents apart from programs like a tyre strain monitor, fatigue alert and a hands-free tailgate. There’s additionally an 11 speaker Canton sound system unique to the L&Okay.

Launch management

The 2020 Excellent comes powered by VW Group’s newest 2.0-litre, direct-injection turbo-petrol engine and solely comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine makes 190hp at 4,200-6,000rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1,450-4,200rpm. Thatis 10hp and a meaty 70Nm torque up over the sooner 1.Eight TSI-DSG combo. At metropolis speeds, the engine is remarkably easy and refined. There’s a noticeable tug within the mid-range adopted by a sustained cost to six,000rpm, all of which is accompanied by an entertaining snarl from the engine. The unit feels alert, prepared and keen always and the quick-shifting gearbox performs its supporting function nicely.

A function of curiosity on the Excellent is launch management. On a moist street, the Excellent posted a launch control-aided 0-100kph time of 8.43sec. Remarkably, the wet-weather acceleration time bettered the outdated 1.Eight TSI’s time by a tenth. The comfort-oriented suspension means the Excellent is just not fairly the corner-carver, however there’s a passable weight to the steering, and it does change route diligently. Skoda has not tinkered with the suspension setup, which is simply as nicely as a result of the Excellent makes gentle work of potholes and imperfections.

In summation, the Excellent seems to be the half, pampers rear-seat occupants with a soft journey and is sweet to drive too. The Skoda Excellent Sportline is available in at ₹29.99 lakh whereas the L&Okay trim sports activities a ₹32.99 lakh price ticket. However compared with comparable German sedans, you will note the Excellent for what it’s: a automobile that breaks the category ceiling.