Skoda, the self-proclaimed 'manufacturer of happy drivers' (which doesn't quite mean it builds cheery chauffeurs), has dropped the old 'pumpe duse' diesel engine in the Superb, in favour of the common-rail (CR) unit proliferating VW Group products.
The new 2.0-litre diesel engine has the same 140bhp output, but it's tangibly smoother and quieter, while also improving CO2 by 12g/km and combined economy by 4.4mpg. It's EU5 emissions compliant too.
Brilliantly - or superbly if you will - the new engine doesn't mean a rise in cost, so the starting price remains at £18,205. It joins the rest of the Superb diesel range, comprising a 170bhp common rail unit and a 105bhp, 1.9-litre PD. The 140bhp CR is available now and comes with a six-speed manual or optional DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission.
Mark Nichol - 18 Feb 2010