What's all this about?
The third-generation Skoda Superb is a fairly fuel efficient motor as it is, but here's one that could get from (should you fancy this as some sort of bizarre road trip) Milton Keynes to Barcelona on one tank: the new GreenLine edition.
GreenLine? Is that Skoda's BlueMotion?
It is indeed and there have been a few of these super-frugal Czechs over the years. But this one is the least thirsty of the lot: it'll do 76.4mpg and emit just 96g/km CO2 as the hatchback, or 97g/km as an Estate - either of which means no road tax.
How does it achieve such numbers?
There are some aerodynamic and rolling resistance tweaks on the outside for a start - the GreenLine is dropped by 15mm compared to a regular Superb, a tailgate or roof spoiler (model depending) reduces the drag coefficient and the 16-inch tyres are made of fuel-saving rubber - while the engine is a 1.6-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder diesel kicking out 120hp.
Is that it?
No, as well as the stop-start and brake energy recovery technologies found on the regular Superb range, the GreenLine gets longer gear ratios. On top of all that, it gets Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR); through this, exhaust gases are cleaned up by an oxidation catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter, while AdBlue is also included to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
And what is the cost of this parsimony?
No words on exact UK prices and specifications as yet, but the car will be on sale here later this year following its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
Matt Robinson - 27 Aug 2015