I forgot to give you this answer. It was something we ( product and sales ) managers discussed over lunch, no-one knew why. Although they had asked for it when lining up the specs of the car.

 

So IIRC, each market ( UK, France etc ) has a product team, the team pull out all the things they can have and build specs to suit market/demand. They ask for x,y &z, but cannot always get so there is a period of negotiation to derive a working spec.

 

I agree the lack of a rear power socket in 2015 for a car aimed at besides solo exec's on the M1 family's is bonkers. The plus is it's not that far to make your own wiring from the fuse box under the trim panels.  So it should not be a barrier, heck I put a inverter in the old mk1 octy boot for a pc, ran power, audio and video lines down the side trims to a touch screen. Then some clever people invented big dash console media things The concern should be going forward is current draw, devices are getting hungrier and daisy chaining lets say 4 ipads of 1x12v socket might lead to issues, iirc an ipad is 2A... plus your phones

 

This is why I'm thinking of going down the external battery route. Easy enough to put one on long term charge in the house, one off the 12v in the boot, and one for each journey. Then plug devices as needed and leave it in the centre bin - takes 12v > USB 5v out of the equation, especially if the only accessible 12v socket is now in a flap rather than in the open.

 

Shame the induction charging phone box isn't coming until well into next year!

I'm confused with those wanting a USB port in the back. If there's a 12v socket, couldn't you use something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M6Q83B4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

 

It's extremely small and provides two USB ports. Also, because it's so small, it can still be in place when there's door/flip panels in place. Sits just a couple of mm above the socket.

In my personal circumstances it's not the need for charging from the USB I need but the ability of having CarPlay (iPhone) and a HDD plugged in at the same, allowing me to switch between the two without unplugging/plugging devices.

That's why I'll be considering wiring in my own second USB, but rather than in the rear I'll look to place it in the centre console storage or the glovebox, somewhere where I can "hide" it but still have ready access to the HDD.

I have a WD wi-fi HDD which, according to the new Columbus manual, should be able to be connected by WLAN (wi-fi), which would negate entirely (for me) the need for a 2nd USB.

In my personal circumstances it's not the need for charging from the USB I need but the ability of having CarPlay (iPhone) and a HDD plugged in at the same, allowing me to switch between the two without unplugging/plugging devices.

That's why I'll be considering wiring in my own second USB, but rather than in the rear I'll look to place it in the centre console storage or the glovebox, somewhere where I can "hide" it but still have ready access to the HDD.

I have a WD wi-fi HDD which, according to the new Columbus manual, should be able to be connected by WLAN (wi-fi), which would negate entirely (for me) the need for a 2nd USB.

 

Ah ok, gotcha.

In my personal circumstances it's not the need for charging from the USB I need but the ability of having CarPlay (iPhone) and a HDD plugged in at the same, allowing me to switch between the two without unplugging/plugging devices.

That's why I'll be considering wiring in my own second USB, but rather than in the rear I'll look to place it in the centre console storage or the glovebox, somewhere where I can "hide" it but still have ready access to the HDD.

I have a WD wi-fi HDD which, according to the new Columbus manual, should be able to be connected by WLAN (wi-fi), which would negate entirely (for me) the need for a 2nd USB.

Perhaps a small usb hub will work?

And BTW, what is this about Norwegians and modding?

Edited 6 August, 201510 yr by Gromle

Perhaps a small usb hub will work?

And BTW, what is this about Norwegians and modding?

 

Yeah, possibly something like this would work: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Port-Flexible-USB-Hub/dp/B00872B426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438939159&sr=8-1&keywords=micro+usb+hub

Yeah, possibly something like this would work: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Port-Flexible-USB-Hub/dp/B00872B426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438939159&sr=8-1&keywords=micro+usb+hub

This device is good for connecting items that need a data connection and little power, but is no good for things such as phones or HDDs that need most, if not all the power that a single USB can deliver. Something like this is probably more appropriate.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Compact-Charger-Mobiles-Others-Black/dp/B0042B9U8Q

Or Google for this Belkin product that has 4 USB ports fed from the 12V socket.

Road Rockstar: 4-Port Passenger Car Charger F8M935bt06-BLK

I have a double outlet USB, one is rated for a 1A and the other is rated at 2.3A.

Hi,

 

Maybe this should be in a new topic as we're drifting off Colin's original topic?

As for a USB hub, as pointed out by 100andthirty they are not powered other than from the original single USB socket, so once a HDD is attached you're already using almost all the current that can be safely carried.

Also, I don't want loose wires trailing around the inside of the car.

That's why I'm considering the second USB feed from the Columbus as it appears to have a second powered USB bus.

As for the 12v USB adaptors, they will only give you power to power/recharge devices but no data connection to the infotainment.

 

Norwegians? Not meant to cause any offence - I'm actually slightly in awe

Trawling through the Superb 2 posts it became apparent how many complicated mods were either started, or already done, or knew how to, by the nice folk in Norway...

Retrofitting High Beam Assistant MFSW upgrade on Superb II 3T 2011 Disable ESP on 2014 Superb 4x4

I think all this is close enough to on topic for a feature that is desirable but not available.

 

Perhaps a forked thread can be started specifically on the USB/Charge rear options, it will be a popular thread Go for it I can merge posts to it as needed

Norwegians? Not meant to cause any offence - I'm actually slightly in awe

Trawling through the Superb 2 posts it became apparent how many complicated mods were either started, or already done, or knew how to, by the nice folk in Norway...

Retrofitting High Beam Assistant MFSW upgrade on Superb II 3T 2011 Disable ESP on 2014 Superb 4x4

Oh I see.

I was just curious about perhaps we had some kind image of modding everything.

And none offence taken

Hi Colin, this sounds like a great opportunity. 

 

I'd like to know:

 

a) How good is the Canton stereo? Whats it like?

 

I was excited about the really soft ride, and disappointed to hear they may have retuned it due to feedback. Whats it like now? 

 

c) Whats the lead time likely to be at the end of August for an L&K 190? (its when I'm ordering!)

 

d) I read its quiet, but how quiet?!

 

e) I think I want silver with the 19's - if theres one there any chance of photos? Any feedback from anyone on driving with 19's? All the test cars seem to have 18's. 

 

f) This ones pretty geeky. Im ordering SmartGate primarily for the SKODA MotorSound App - could you download it and have a go? I'd love to know if its any good!? 

Thats it from me!

 

Hi Colin

 

Did you get a chance to look at any of these?

 

Cheers!

James

A close call. I'd begun editing the photos using linux darktable, except I was doing it on mem stick. Somehow I'd not actually imported. Bit of a panic as I was looking to complete them but could not find them anywhere. 1st run trial on darktable, I've missed astep in workflow, lesson learnt

 

More panic when both my 16gb cards were empty, more so as I'd formatted them last time out. WTF...eek oh well. Then somehow they are on my old 8gb card, I must of used that by accident, was a chance accident.

 

Ok so photos I took are up on flickr 

 

 

) How good is the Canton stereo? Whats it like?

None of the two we were in had it, so I can't say for sure, sorry.

 

 I was excited about the really soft ride, and disappointed to hear they may have retuned it due to feedback. Whats it like now? 

 

This was the international launch and in particular the DCC softride. This has been recalibrated to be better now. Not my views, just passing this on. I didn't get a chance to drive a  DCC car, only ones with drive mode selection. Two views on  what this did, sport mode is how I and others would have it all day off motorways. What it does is hard to say as it's not DCC. I know it was sharper steering input and it felt like a better ride, less roll. But it wasn't DCC so we're all a bit confused. If driving anywhere and you enjoy corners, I'd have to say drive mode [ sport] is a minimum req.

 

 

 

c) Whats the lead time likely to be at the end of August for an L&K 190? (its when I'm ordering!)

Didn't get an answer to this, although I watched the email go to the factory! The expectation was not too long as not a big rush or large volume demand. But without a full spec list impossible to say if widget A is in short supply.

 

d) I read its quiet, but how quiet?!

Pretty quiet, I'll upload a video, unedited of wind noise on the road window open and closed etc.

 

e) I think I want silver with the 19's - if theres one there any chance of photos? Any feedback from anyone on driving with 19's? All the test cars seem to have 18's. 

Some of the flickr photos show 19's but not the wheel you want. I'd say 18's look good, 19's great, but 19's compromise your tyre suspension... 19's suit the car very well, I'd order 18;s for my needs which is mountain roads.

 

f) This ones pretty geeky. Im ordering SmartGate primarily for the SKODA MotorSound App - could you download it and have a go? I'd love to know if its any good!? 

Smart-bloody-gate, yes I'm sure it's ok. Had a phone full of apps. Once paired, synched... could not get it to work. I was told I needed to cable the phone to make it work. I thought it would go ver BT or wifi, sure I'd read that. Didn't have a cable, so could not test things like G and perf meters. I've no doubt it does work, finding out how in the middle of Gairloch in t he Highlands where mobile reception is ok, mobile data is a new concept! So it's not the place to figure out how though. Although there is a superb with all my contact details on now as it sucked them in, there is a setting to autosynch, seems this one was on. Note to self, have scrap phone to test with.

All finally uploaded

 

Flick pics, different angles to standard press pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/sets/72157656937098466

 

Simple noise test video, from mobile phone, betweeen 50 and 60 on a rought tarmac surface, not a smooth motorway one. This is in a 150Ps Diesel Estate.

 

And for some reason I forgot about rotating phone so ignore view, nothing going on, just start up from tmp lights, same car:

Just looked at the photos on Flickr and have to say that looks like a fantastic location. Where was that?

Also do you have any interior photos of the L&K please.

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Colin can you remember the colours these are?

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20239232669/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20431981931/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20399425136/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20399520696/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

 

I am guessing the top 3 are Business grey (the 3rd one looks different though... does it change colour slightly in different lights?) and the last on is Quartz Grey??

Edited 9 August, 201510 yr by Gizmo68
confirmed by spec sheets

All finally uploaded

 

Flick pics, different angles to standard press pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/sets/72157656937098466

 

Simple noise test video, from mobile phone, betweeen 50 and 60 on a rought tarmac surface, not a smooth motorway one. This is in a 150Ps Diesel Estate.

 

And for some reason I forgot about rotating phone so ignore view, nothing going on, just start up from tmp lights, same car:

I really love Superb Street, in uptown Skodaville c/w a Superb 1 for the history buffs! 

"A nice place to live"............, or "where old Suberbs are put out to pasture"...........

 

 

DC

Attached is the press spec sheet for each car. Not all the cars are in the photos. Only got to drive two of these, and peer into the windows of the rest.

Superb launch spec sheets.pdf

Colin can you remember the colours these are?

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20239232669/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20431981931/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20399425136/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/summit360/20399520696/in/album-72157656937098466/

 

 

I am guessing the top 3 are Business grey (the 3rd one looks different though... does it change colour slightly in different lights?) and the last on is Quartz Grey??

 

Last one is more of a blue. There is a not so great green, the guy in the house photo. That looked ok at night, daylight was less so.

 

The L&K ; EOF, is a different colour to the two silver grey ones, EOJ and MXR.

Last one is more of a blue. There is a not so great green, the guy in the house photo. That looked ok at night, daylight was less so.

 

The L&K ; EOF, is a different colour to the two silver grey ones, EOJ and MXR.

 

That is what I initially thought when I saw your photos,

BUT they only offer Silver, Business Grey, Quartz Grey  (which is the same paint code as Metal Grey) and Petrol Blue in anything that comes close to them,

The spec sheet says that EOF EOJ and MXR are all Business grey, so although it is not listed as a pearl colour there must be something that makes it change colour slightly depending on the light conditions.

 

The last one (EBG) is listed as Quartz Grey, but I agree in the photo it looks like there is some blue in it.

We noticed yesterday that the Metal Grey (which is the same paint code as Quartz Grey) cars which on the forecourt all had a slight green tint to them (which I quite liked) 

The Moon white cars we looked at did nothing for me as the metallic was very difficult to see.

Colin did you happen to have the auxiliary heating(mentioned in the manual) on one of the test models? - did you have the additional remote control - for turning on windscreen/seats etc ...if so how well did it work

Attached is the press spec sheet for each car. Not all the cars are in the photos. Only got to drive two of these, and peer into the windows of the rest.

So Colin, after your trip to Skodaville and seeing all the various specs on display... what is your favourite combination!?

I mean - if you were to order one today, which model / engine / colour / alloys / upholstery would you choose??

So Colin, after your trip to Skodaville and seeing all the various specs on display... what is your favourite combination!?

I mean - if you were to order one today, which model / engine / colour / alloys / upholstery would you choose??

 

Tough one, if I had the spare cash, you can get into one from 299 a month, or maybe less....

 

Ok money no object a ps280, I don't presently do a lot of miles, so why not.

 

If I was doing mostly personal miles up to 25k, I'd have to think about a petrol. But in reality this car is going to be full of stuff, kids stuff, bikes or other such weekend/holiday stuff. For that there is no doubt the diesel works under any load. The petrol is more fun to 'drive'.

 

The surprise for me was the 1.4tsi, it really for a 150 output engine drove very well. It's overtaking was nicer than the diesel, being slightly longer rev range

 

I'd definitely order at least the drive mode selection and leave it set in sport. The nav was good, I only missed one turn, that is the because the maxidot is easily out of sight and I was enjoying the driving. The sign recognition I think was on, but the sat nav has the speed sign top left of the display. It seems a long way away, but it's just right for a confidence check.

 

The alcantra seats were ok, the fabric holds you, the bolsters don't do so much. I'm a 32/34" waist and there is a bit of ass room left to right. I was comfortable in minutes for an hours drive.

 

I had the mkII elegance, I'd order a similar spec. It's a nice big car, you would not really want to poverty spec it. You're getting a lot for the car out of the box. Really tough I've not driven the new octavia yet, but if an octy estate isn't going to cut it, then the superb estate is the logical step before a merc sprinter.

 

So a 150 oil or L&K, the 150 diesel is the expected seller for fleet and motorway mile munching.

 

I have to say the estate is the one I'd go for. The hatchback is nice and from some angles looks like a coupe, but not enough to warrant the car imho looks like an estate. The lines, the panels are pressed twice to make it and the gaps are tight... they all just work into the estate.

Attached is the press spec sheet for each car. Not all the cars are in the photos. Only got to drive two of these, and peer into the windows of the rest.

. I know you only drove a couple of these but any comments /views from anybody on the 150tdi v 190 in terms of real world noticeable power? Obviously the 190 is more powerful but is it worth the extra?. Also, I wonder how the current 170tdi compares to the new 150tdi. Only 10nm torque difference on paper. Is the 150 a little quieter also as the 190 has been criticised as being a bit rough? I might consider a 150tdi next time even having had two 170s.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just looked at the photos on Flickr and have to say that looks like a fantastic location. Where was that?

Also do you have any interior photos of the L&K please.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

It's a spot outside Inverness. A small hamlet, that you can hire as Skoda did, and 'brand'. I think I heard it was going to be used as a golf academy next. It's on the NE side of inverness I think. We were driven there and I didn't really pay much attention

 

No interior pics of the L&K, it was locked when I was out taking photos, it was before breakfast for the 'owners'.