Hi

I live in sweden, but went by a danish kiosk the other day and bought the danish Car Magazine "Bilexpressen" (Car Express).

In there they had a combi test on medium priced combi's.

The contestants were:

- Skoda Superb Elegance 2.0 TDI MY2011

- VW Passat Comfortline variant 2.0 TDI MY2011

- Ford Mondeo (combi) Titanium 2.0 TDCI MY2011

- Opel Insignia sport tourer 2.0 CDTI Cosmo MY2011

The conclusion were that the Superb was a clear winner with superior size, good road handling and by far the best equipped.

They also mentioned that it could stand a comparison with more luxurius cars like the Audi A6.

The list ranking:

1. Skoda Superb.

2. Ford Mondeo.

3. Passat Variant.

4. Opel Insignia Sports Tourer.

It also beat Mercedes estate test on 5th Gear two fingers up to all de snobs ha ha GO SKODA

No doubt VAG hq will be upset by this outcome too!

I saw a "new shape" Passat yesterday, other than the front end I really could not see any difference.

Rather than get angry at Skoda for kicking their backside, VW bosses need to be reading the riot act to their own engineers and designers for coming up with such an uninspiring, disappointing and expensive car.

No doubt VAG hq will be upset by this outcome too!

I saw a "new shape" Passat yesterday, other than the front end I really could not see any difference.

Rather than get angry at Skoda for kicking their backside, VW bosses need to be reading the riot act to their own engineers and designers for coming up with such an uninspiring, disappointing and expensive car.

Sadly, I very much doubt if the VW bosses will do any such thing.

It's far more likely that Skoda will be stomped on for making such a good car, and told to come up with something that doesn't get anywhere close to the Passat (let alone Audi).

My work colleagues laughed at me when I got my 1st generation Superb. That was until they actually sat in it. They didn't bat an eyelid when I ordered an Octy vRS (in fact, several of them did the same), and they were full of compliments for my Superb II when it arrived. That's a major change in brand image in the space of 4 years. Most non-car people think my Superb is a Beemer or a Merc when they first see it, which speaks volumes.

Given this change in perception, it was only a matter of time before VW saw their other brands being threatened. I really hope they do learn a lesson from this, as there is room in the marketplace for both the Passat and Superb.

Andy.

Edited 1 March, 201115 yr by Bagpuss

Sadly, I very much doubt if the VW bosses will do any such thing.

It's far more likely that Skoda will be stomped on for making such a good car, and told to come up with something that doesn't get anywhere close to the Passat (let alone Audi).

My work colleagues laughed at me when I got my 1st generation Superb. That was until they actually sat in it. They didn't bat an eyelid when I ordered an Octy vRS (in fact, several of them did the same), and they were full of compliments for my Superb II when it arrived. That's a major change in brand image in the space of 4 years. Most non-car people think my Superb is a Beemer or a Merc when they first see it, which speaks volumes.

Given this change in perception, it was only a matter of time before VW saw their other brands being threatened. I really hope they do learn a lesson from this, as there is room in the marketplace for both the Passat and Superb.

Andy.

I had the same experience with my Superb I, got laughed at and several derogatory comments until people actually saw the car and how good it was. I even had a customer ask if it was a BMW, which shows how far the brand has come.

I'm looking forward to getting my Superb II and am expecting more adverse comments, given that I've already had some from the Audi drivers at work (easily dealt with!)

As for VAG forcing Skoda to lower spec and quality, that would be ludicrous. It wouldn't divert people to other VAG brands, but towards the likes of Kia and Hyundai.

Even if VAG decide to make certain features options rather than standard fit, people may well stick with the Skoda brand due to the superior build quality.

The only way VW can really kibosh things is to completely deprive Skoda of certain levels of technology. If the Superb Elegance didn't come with standard or optional xenons, sat nav or the CR170 engine I think I would have gone elsewhere.

VW should kick SEAT into touch and nurture the runaway success of Skoda