I’m test driving a Superb at the end of the month. I’m considering it in SE L Exec with toys, including the DSG paddles and virtual cockpit, with the 1.4l petrol engine. However, the dealer can only get hold of an automatic 1.4l petrol with the paddles in Sportline without the virtual cockpit. 

 

What does anyone who has the virtual cockpit think of it? Is it worth the cost? What’s the best and worst thing about it?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Are you buying new or s/h?

 

The fact that you have even considered the VC I wouldn’t even consider buying a car that doesn’t have it as you will regret not having it every time you drive it.

 

My car is too old to have it but I have considered retro-fitting it, but it comes in at over £2.5K as I also need to upgrade the infotainment system as well.

Retro-fitting the VC on it’s own would not be far short of £1k

I’d be looking at new or nearly new. I’ve had a spinal cord injury and need to move to an automatic with a big boot. My driving assessment is coming up soon and hopefully I won’t need hand controls.

 

 

Whatever you choose make sure it has the electric lumbar support then, otherwise getting the seat comfortable for your back will be nigh on impossible.

Are you going to be able to get a new 1.4 now? Thought they'd only be available second hand. 

I love mine so far. It's quite versatile and lifts the entire cabin feel, wouldn't consider one without now that I've had it.

Can't think of any negatives other than the fact that if it went wrong you'd be left without a speedo till you fixed it I guess? Haven't really heard such cases though, on several cars with digital cockpits.

Love the Virtual Cockpit. The big map screen is awesome, the big screen for the overview and then you can use the cockpit map display a bit more zoomed in to see detailed turns etc. Also when the passenger is using the big screen (changing the music or doing routing on the map) you still retain your map screen in front of you. Apart from the map, the biggest plus for me is the night mode. Being able to shut down almost everything is great, coupled with the "screen off after 10 seconds" option on the big screen the cabin becomes very dark for long motorway drives at night.

 I waited to upgrade from my Superb 2 specifically untill the Superb 3 got the Virtual Cockpit. Even came close to pulling the trigger on a Karoq (which got the Virtual Cockpit sooner here in Belgium) but I held out because I need the boot space of the Superb.

Edited 14 April, 20197 yr by Too Tall

Don't waste your money on paddles on a 1.4/1.5, it's not a drivers car by any means and has no engine braking to speak of. The DSG is very responsive.

It was a must have for me, makes me happy every time I drive the car

I wouldn’t skip on the paddles unless you have no interest whatsoever in “taking control” when the mood or road conditions merit an intervention.

 

Thanks all,

I’ve specced something up in Carwow, based on the automatic 1.5l petrol in SE L Exec....

 

Additional equipment

Heated windscreen

Rear wiper

Temporary spare wheel

Perforated leather - Black

Smart light assist

Virtual Cockpit - 10.25" digital display

3 spoke leather multifunction steering wheel with DSG paddles

Rear backrest release from boot

18" Pegasus alloy wheels with anti theft wheel bolts

Heated windscreen washer nozzles

Lane change assist and blind spot detection

Rear view parking camera

LED package plus - Superb

 

SteHaworth, that looks lovely.....want

Makes it feel a much more modern and upmarket car, the analogue dials look very old fashioned once you've tried a virtual cockpit, 

Mines a sportline though, it has the carbon effect dials skin, the SE L EXEC has the other skin iirc

Edited 14 April, 20197 yr by SteHaworth

I’ve just been looking at all the petrol automatic superbs on the Skoda site.....there are a load under a year old but none have the virtual cockpit.

15 hours ago, BoxerBoy said:

I wouldn’t skip on the paddles unless you have no interest whatsoever in “taking control” when the mood or road conditions merit an intervention.

 

So it's just too much effort to push the DSG lever sideways into manual mode and then flick it backwards or forwards?

1 hour ago, IanJD said:

So it's just too much effort to push the DSG lever sideways into manual mode and then flick it backwards or forwards?

 

Yes.

 

I noticed Lewis wasn’t using a stick while winning his race yesterday. For good reason.

Edited 15 April, 20197 yr by BoxerBoy

3 hours ago, BoxerBoy said:

 

Yes.

 

I noticed Lewis wasn’t using a stick while winning his race yesterday. For good reason.

Because a Formula 1 driver who might be pulling 4G under braking or cornering might just want to keep both hands on the wheel all the time?

 

I get it, you like having paddles -- but saying they're essential on the road unless you drive like a pensioner is just plain wrong, the DSG lever works just fine...

Edited 15 April, 20197 yr by IanJD

21 minutes ago, IanJD said:

the DSG lever works just fine...

Except you push forward to change up.....

7 hours ago, BoxerBoy said:

 

Yes.

 

I noticed Lewis wasn’t using a stick while winning his race yesterday. For good reason.

He has a drivers car, changing gear using the paddles on the 1.4 is pathetic.  It just makes more noise. Trust me I know because I specced them and thought it may be useful to change down for an overtake. No.....

The SEL as I mentioned is no drivers car. The paddles work very well, the DSG is excellent, using the gear lever works well but honestly there isn't much point in the 1.4. Don't get me wrong I love my 1.4 but it's a cruising car.

Air Con seats are brilliant by the way.

The heated screen is a disappointment as you still need to scrape the side windows.. only joking...it works very well.

how do you get the carbon look VC up i have sportline + and scant find them ???

9 hours ago, Sevlow8 said:

how do you get the carbon look VC up i have sportline + and scant find them ???

My UK sportline plus only has the carbon skin, if you have an OBDeleven then this thread could be worth a read

 

11 hours ago, vfrvrs said:

He has a drivers car, changing gear using the paddles on the 1.4 is pathetic.  It just makes more noise. Trust me I know because I specced them and thought it may be useful to change down for an overtake. No.....

The SEL as I mentioned is no drivers car. The paddles work very well, the DSG is excellent, using the gear lever works well but honestly there isn't much point in the 1.4. Don't get me wrong I love my 1.4 but it's a cruising car.

Air Con seats are brilliant by the way.

The heated screen is a disappointment as you still need to scrape the side windows.. only joking...it works very well.

That's too absolute. While the 1.4 SEL might not be a driver's car this does not limit whether and where one would like to use paddles over gear levers. It depends on your background, driving style and personal preference.

I am entering my 10th year of driving DSG cars (all "paddled") and I am now used in keeping both my hands on the wheel and flicking paddles whenever I want to be in control. Yes all my DSG cars have been more powerful than a 1.4 SEL Superb MKIII but regardless whenever I get in an automatic without paddles I somehow feel I have less control. I occasionally use the paddles even in the wife's  1.4 Diesel C3 68bhp Auto If you can believe it, one of the dullest driving cars in the world (due to that horrendous transmission) but there you go, Sometimes it just is easier/makes more sense to just flick the paddle (if you've got one) than to reach for the lever, the luxury of option I guess.

Surely on less powerful/sporty car it's more of a preference than a necessity but in the end, it's not a different decision than choosing whether you'll spec virtual cockpit, or KESSY, or lots of other options that we could all live without for sure.

I chose a sportline with paddles over an SE-L without. (On of the reasons for it)

 

I must say I am correct in my hunch that it will be useful. I use it regularly as it's simply quicker such as when i want to overtake quickly. The gear lever isn't too bad but it's the wrong config for me with gear up being forwards. 

46 minutes ago, KeteCantek said:

I chose a sportline with paddles over an SE-L without. (On of the reasons for it)

 

I must say I am correct in my hunch that it will be useful. I use it regularly as it's simply quicker such as when i want to overtake quickly. The gear lever isn't too bad but it's the wrong config for me with gear up being forwards. 

Agreed. In order to exploit the 280, paddles are essential IMO 

Does VC come with a skin/display that shows the fuel guage as a 'needle' rather than a ladder bar ?