Hi all,

Just curious about the handbrake position design in Superbs.

I drove one yesterday and found the handbrake is at the passenger side. Not very comfortable to me as my toyota corolla has it close to the driver, also the cup holder is in between myself and the handbrake so have to be careful not spilling any coffee on the way reaching the handbrake.

Interestingly I saw a photo of a left hand drive Superb which has the handbrake close to the driver.

So is this deliberate or just cost saving? I remember the ford focus and Golf I drove also has it close to the passenger seats...

It's at the same position whether the car is LHD or RHD.

Then you only have rebuild the dashboard and not the whole centre console.

Ever wondered why some Nissans, Hondas and Citroens (for example) have the speedometer etc. situated at the centre of the dashboard, maybe only aligned to the driver? Cost savings. Then you only have to "swap" the left hand side and the right hand side of the dashboard but the middle section remains intact.

It's like the majority of the Japanese cars have the fuel tank on the left hand side of the car because those cars have been developed as RHD. OK, there are also some exceptions but if you look at the European cars, most of them have the fuel tank on the right hand side because they've originally been developed as LHD. So is Skoda.

Edited 23 January, 201214 yr by Sensonic

Yes, I think this is very common.

Octavia and Golf on the other hand have it in the middle. I guess this is because Superb has two cup holders there so has to shift the handbrake position to one side.

It's at the same position whether the car is LHD or RHD.

Then you only have rebuild the dashboard and not the whole centre console.

Ever wondered why some Nissans, Hondas and Citroens (for example) have the speedometer etc. situated at the centre of the dashboard, maybe only aligned to the driver? Cost savings. Then you only have to "swap" the left hand side and the right hand side of the dashboard but the middle section remains intact.

It's like the majority of the Japanese cars have the fuel tank on the left hand side of the car because those cars have been developed as RHD. OK, there are also some exceptions but if you look at the European cars, most of them have the fuel tank on the right hand side because they've originally been developed as LHD. So is Skoda.

Yes, I think this is very common.

Octavia and Golf on the other hand have it in the middle. I guess this is because Superb has two cup holders there so has to shift the handbrake position to one side.

My former Superb (as with all the MKII's) has the handbrake on the left hand side of the centre consul, the Octavia II has it on the right. Not in the middle at all. :wonder:

Tbh I think it's a pain, but you get used to it.

would be better if we had an auto brake like the Passat does

I'm sure I will get used to it.

But will not use the cup holders to hold big drinks as this could be hazardous.

Yep, you are right. Did not pay attention while driving an Octavia. It has the cup holder at the correct place!

Seems Octavia always has the handbrake close to the driver, no matter LH or RH drive! :wonder:

My former Superb (as with all the MKII's) has the handbrake on the left hand side of the centre consul, the Octavia II has it on the right. Not in the middle at all. :wonder:

Yep, you are right. Did not pay attention while driving an Octavia. It has the cup holder at the correct place!

Seems Octavia always has the handbrake close to the driver, no matter LH or RH drive! :wonder:

I also feel that the handbrake and cupholder are designed for LHD. Handbrake very awkward especially if you have the armrest extended. Also bonnet lever in the left hand footwell, so it feels very like it is built for LHD and RHD has been accommodated in the design.

It's a pity they corrected this for Octavia but not the Superb. Many other cars such as the ford focus 04-11 also have this problem. I also found the gas pedal a bit too left.

Nothing is perfect.

I also feel that the handbrake and cupholder are designed for LHD. Handbrake very awkward especially if you have the armrest extended. Also bonnet lever in the left hand footwell, so it feels very like it is built for LHD and RHD has been accommodated in the design.

would be better if we had an auto brake like the Passat does

Oh no, then there wouldn't be any fun during the winter time

I like the "traditional" handbrake.

I also notice in the AU Superbs, the didn't bother to move the bonnet release lever. It's on the passenger side in AU. Not that it really matters I guess.

I actually think the handbrake is in the best place, being on the far side. I always drive with the armrest extended and while it is a little awkward to have to reach around the armrest for the handbrake, I think it would be even more awkward if I were having to reach underneath my side of the armrest.

Tbh I think it's a pain, but you get used to it.

would be better if we had an auto brake like the Passat does

I didn't like (or trust) the electric parking brake on the Passat I test drove.

The Passat also has a unnecessarily bulky key which you have to push into a dash slot before then pressing a start button. Give me a straightforward key any day!

I do miss the handbrake being positioned closer to the driver, however, you do become accustomed after a while.

The passat key function sounds like the 08- Mini I drove before...

I also find out the possible reason of why the acceleration pedal is offset to the middle. Seems the front wheel arch is in its way... It is ok for LHD superb as it will be a perfect place to rest your left foot on but not so good in a RHD...

Will get used to it though, as to the handbrake...

I didn't like (or trust) the electric parking brake on the Passat I test drove.

The Passat also has a unnecessarily bulky key which you have to push into a dash slot before then pressing a start button. Give me a straightforward key any day!

I do miss the handbrake being positioned closer to the driver, however, you do become accustomed after a while.

I have both the 2007 Octavia II and 2009 Superb II. It's all about cost saving!

Disappointing to discover the several features that had been dropped off in the newer model but it didn't stop me buying the Superb. The bonuses in the Superb far out way the disadvantages for me.

Edited 25 January, 201214 yr by michaelp

Also interesting is the official skoda superb brochure here in oz shows the handbrake next to the driver, but my car (and all of the others I've seen ) have the handbrake next to the passenger, did they make some with the handbrake on the drivers side?

Also interesting is the official skoda superb brochure here in oz shows the handbrake next to the driver, but my car (and all of the others I've seen ) have the handbrake next to the passenger, did they make some with the handbrake on the drivers side?

Photoshop -> "mirror"?

It is cheap & lazy of Skoda not to have moved the handbrake over for RH drive. I find it a right PITA to use, luckily I don't need to use it very much due DSG.

On the RHD UK Yeti the handbrake is close to the driver with the cupholders on the other side.

On LHD Yetis the handbrake swaps to the other side:

Peculiar they don't do the same to the Superb that is built on the very same production line!

There must be a problem in it for them to do that on the superbs.

Also as I said in previous post, seems the pedal positions are different as well. The acceleration pedal is too left for me at the beginning. Or it's just my personal feeling... Need to adapt to that otherwise will hit it when trying to brake... Will be careful...

Edited 3 February, 201214 yr by redbuta

I've done a rough comparison of the above two photos. Also the filming angles are slightly different, it is clear though a RHD has its pedals offset to the left (middle) for around 2 inches.