Test drive Škoda Superb iV: two hearts
Test of the first plug-in hybrid of a Czech brand
Quite often, after facelifting a model, the same trivial question arises: how do you actually know the updated version at a glance? In the Superb III, this can be done with two main distinguishing features: the LED headlights now extend to the grille itself, and at the rear, the brand logo is complemented by a wide Škoda lettering. However, in order to guess from the outside, you need to very carefully familiarize yourself with the design features of the rims and LED lights, that is, here the probability of coping with the task at first glance is small.
However, you can't go wrong if you find the word "iV" on the back, or if the front has a type 2 charging cable: the Superb iV is the first model with hybrid drive. Skoda and is available in both body styles. The powertrain is directly borrowed from the VW Passat GTE: 1,4-liter petrol engine with 156 hp, electric motor with 85 kW (115 hp) and 13 kWh battery located under the rear seat; The 50-litre tank is located above the multi-link rear axle suspension. Despite the taller bottom, the iV's trunk holds a more respectable 485 liters, and there's a practical recess in front of the rear bumper to store the charging cable.
Six gears and electric
The entire hybrid module, including the electric motor, is positioned between a transversely mounted four-cylinder turbo engine and a dual-clutch transmission (DQ 400E). The engine is driven by an additional insulating sleeve, which in practice means that even in electric mode, the DSG selects the most suitable rpm.
During testing, the electric drive was able to cover a distance of 49 kilometers - at a low outside temperature (7 ° C) and set to 22 degrees of air conditioning - this corresponds to a power consumption of 21,9 kWh per 100 kilometers. So the iV can travel most of the short daily stretches entirely on electricity, as long as there's enough charging time in between: our 22kW Wallbox Type 2 iV took two and a half hours to charge 80 percent of the time. battery capacity. To conserve battery power, it takes an additional 20 minutes to charge the remaining 60 percent. How long does it take to charge in a regular household outlet? About six o'clock.
In this regard, other hybrid models are quicker: the Mercedes A 250, for example, charges a 15,6 kilowatt-hour battery with 7,4 kW in about two hours. Unlike Superb, it charges very quickly: 80 percent in 20 minutes. Which, however, is not really a class rule, says a direct competitor. The BMW 330e requires the same amount of charging time as the Skoda. In our data archive, we also find that the 330e produces an average of 22,2kWh. The acceleration times of both models are also close: from standstill to 50 km / h: Skoda even wins with 3,9 vs. 4,2 seconds. And up to 100 km / h? 12,1 vs. 13,9 sec.
The iV offers really good dynamic current readings, at least in urban environments. The accelerator pedal can be depressed until the kickdown button is pressed without starting the gasoline engine. The gearbox shifts into sixth gear at about 50 km/h – and above this speed, the power of the permanently excited synchronous motor is no longer sufficient for truly vigorous acceleration. If you decide to make more abrupt maneuvers beyond this pace on electricity only, you will indeed need a lot of time. If you switch manually, everything happens faster with one idea.
The system power of both engines reaches 218 hp, and acceleration to 100 km / h with both machines takes 7,6 seconds. And what load does the battery allow before turning on the engine? For example, it is important to know that in hybrid mode, it relies not only on recuperation, but also on the fact that part of the gasoline engine's energy is used to charge the battery. Information about how much electricity is charged or consumed can be seen on the digital display along with the consumption of gasoline. Under normal conditions, the electric motor provides additional traction, which, especially at low speeds, compensates for the reaction time of the gasoline unit's turbocharger. If you choose battery storage mode - the infotainment system selects the desired level of charge to save - it can be quite pleasant, if not exactly brutal, full-throttle acceleration.
Smart enough even without Boost
In fact, it is almost impossible to completely discharge the battery - even on roads with a large number of turns, the acceleration phases are not enough for this, and the hybrid algorithm continues to draw energy from the internal combustion engine to provide the necessary charge. If you want to keep the battery practically “zero”, you need to hit the track - here, despite the Boost indicator on its electric motor, it is much more difficult to maintain its gasoline counterpart for a long time, and soon you will see a sign that notifies you that the function Boost is not currently available. This practically means that you no longer have the system's full power of 218 hp, although you can still reach a top speed of 220 km / h - only without the battery charging function.
It should be noted that our standardized eco-driving sections start with a low-battery fill-up – consumption was 5,5L/100km – so the iV is only 0,9L/100km more economical than the front-wheel-drive petrol derivative and 220bhp. With.
By the way, the traction is always smooth - even when starting from a traffic light. On winding roads, the iV accelerates quickly out of corners without pretending to be sporty. His main discipline is mainly comfort. If you switch to cloud-marked suspension mode, you get a soft ride, but also noticeable body sway. The Superb continues to impress with exceptional second-row legroom (820mm, compared to just 745mm for the E-Class). One idea is that the front seats are set a little too high, but that doesn't make them any less comfortable - especially when combined with an adjustable armrest that has an air-conditioned niche for things like the glove box.
An interesting novelty is the recovery mode, in which it is rarely necessary to use the brake. However, for this you need to get used to the brake pedal itself, which, with the help of the brake assistant, quite smoothly switches from recuperation to mechanical braking (Brake-Blending), but subjectively, the feeling of having to press it changes. And because we are on a wave of criticism: the new infotainment system is completely devoid of buttons, which makes it much more difficult to control it while driving than it was before. It would also be nice if the back cover could be opened and closed with a button from the inside.
But back to the good reviews - the new matrix LED headlights (standard on the Style) do an excellent job - fully consistent with the overall characteristics of the car.
EVALUATION
The Superb iV has all the benefits of a plug-in hybrid – and in every other way it remains as comfortable and spacious as any Superb. I only wish it had a more precise feel than the brake pedal and a shorter charge time.
Body
+ Extremely spacious inside, especially in the second row of seats.
Flexible interior space
High quality workmanship
Lots of smart solutions for everyday life
-
Reduced cargo volume compared to standard model versions
Comfort
+ Comfortable suspension
The air conditioner works well in electric mode
-
On one idea, too high position of the seats in front
Engine / transmission
+
Cultivated Drive
Sufficient mileage (49 km)
Seamless transition from electric to hybrid mode
-
Long charging time
Travel behavior
+ Safe behavior when cornering
Precise steering
-
We swing the body in a comfortable mode
safety
+
Great LED lights and well-functioning assist systems
-
Ribbon Compliance Assistant intervenes unnecessarily
ecology
+ Ability to pass through areas with zero local emissions
High efficiency in hybrid mode
Costs
+
Affordable price for this type of car
-
However, the surcharge is high compared to the standard versions.
text: Boyan Boshnakov
