UPGRADEcars: DIESEL

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Skoda Superb Range Enhanced with More Fuel Efficient and Cleaner 2.0 Turbo Diesel

A revised 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that incorporates the latest Common Rail diesel technology and produces 140 horsepower is replacing the 2.0 TDI of the same output in the Skoda Superb saloon and Combi models.

The Volkswagen Group's Czech brand said that with the new engine, combined fuel consumption for the Superb 2.0 TDI CR has improved by 4.4mpg to 52.3mpg UK (5.4 lt/100km or 43.5mpg US), while CO2 emissions have been reduced by 12g/km to 143g/km.

At least in what concerns the UK market, these improvements have been made without affecting the Superb's price, which starts from £18,205.

The new Superb 2.0 TDI CR 140HP is available for order in Britain from 18th February with a choice of six-speed manual or twin-clutch DSG transmissions, in hatchback or estate bodystyles and in S, SE or Elegance trim.

The latest diesel engine option joins the existing 1.9 TDI PD 105HP and 2.0 TDI CR 170HP diesel engines that are offered in the Superb line-up.

Skoda Unveils Eco-Friendly Greenline Versions of Facelifted Fabia and Roomster

Following on from the launch of the refreshed Fabia and Roomster models at Geneva Motor Show this past March, Skoda has now released the environmentally-friendly GreenLine versions of the two models.

Leaving aside the subtle aesthetic changes that are the same as on the standard Fabia hatch and Roomster MPV, the most important innovation on both GreenLine II models concerns the introduction of the VW Group's new 1.2-liter three-cylinder supercharged diesel engine that produces 75-horsepower.

The new diesel unit is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox with identical ratios as the one fitted on the ordinary Fabia and Roomster models with the same engine.

Both Fabia and Roomster GreenLine II models feature the usual roster of environmentally friendly touches.

These include stop-start technology, a new energy recuperation system that utilizes the vehicle's kinetic energy for battery recharging, a lowered and aerodynamically-covered chassis, low rolling resistance tires and a gear recommendation light on the dashboard.

These measures result in a combined fuel consumption of just 3.4lt/100km (equal to 69.2 mpg US and 83.1mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 89 g/km for the Fabia GreenLine II, and 4.2lt/100km (equal to 67.3mpg UK and 55.9 mpg US) and 109 g/km for the Roomster GreenLine II.

Skoda: Powertrain Updates for 2011MY Octavia, Yeti and Superb

European market Skoda models Yeti, Octavia and Superb will be getting powertrain updates for the 2011 model year starting from the end of this month. In detail:

The engine portfolio for the Yeti crossover has been extended with the VW Group's 122HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit combined with manual transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), as well as a 140HP 2.0 TDI CR DPF turbo diesel with automatic DSG transmission and FWD, and the more potent 170HP 2.0 TDI CR DPF turbo diesel with manual transmission and 4WD.

The facelifted for 2010 Octavia series also gets the new 170HP 2.0-liter TDI CR DPF common rail diesel engine that replaces the identically powerful 2.0 TDI PD. The new diesel unit will be available for both manual and automatic transmissions with FWD, as well as for manual transmissions with 4WD and later in the year, also with automatic DSG transmission and 4WD.

Finally, the Czech firm's flagship Superb saloon and estate models are going to be offered with the VW Group's 200HP 2.0 TSI petrol with a six-speed automatic DSG transmission.