The Skoda Superb - L&K Vs. Sportline - India

Brief history about Skoda and it's flagship "Superb"

Skoda Superb is a luxury sedan produced by the Czech automaker Skoda Auto since 2001. The name 'Superb' was first used by Skoda for a luxury car that it produced in the 1930s and 1940s. The modern Skoda Superb was introduced in 2001 as a flagship model to replace the Skoda Octavia. It was based on the Volkswagen Group's B5 platform and was initially available in both sedan and estate body styles.

The Skoda Superb has since undergone several updates and redesigns, with the third-generation model launched in 2015. The current model is based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform and is available with a range of petrol and diesel engine options.

Laurin & Klement (L&K) is a historic Czech automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1895 by Vaclav Klement and Vaclav Laurin in the town of Mlada Boleslav, which is now the headquarters of Skoda Auto. The company started out as a bicycle manufacturer before transitioning to producing motorcycles and automobiles.

Laurin & Klement produced its first car, the Voiturette A, in 1905. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality cars that were popular in Europe and beyond. In 1925, Laurin & Klement merged with Skoda, another Czech automobile manufacturer, to form Skoda-Laurin & Klement.

The Skoda Superb L&K is a special variant of the Skoda Superb that is named in honor of the company's founders. It is the top-of-the-line variant of the Superb and comes with a range of premium features and finishes, including leather upholstery, wood accents, and advanced safety and entertainment systems. The Skoda Superb L&K was first introduced in 2002 and has since become a popular luxury sedan in many markets around the world.

The Skoda Superb is a classy sedan with a bling value in India and is available in two variants, including the L&K and Sportline. Here are some key differences to consider when comparing the Skoda Superb L&K and Sportline:

1. Design: The L&K variant of the Superb has a more classic and elegant design with chrome accents and a sleeker grille, while the Sportline has a more aggressive and sporty design with a blacked-out grille, larger air intakes and blacked-out elements.

2. Performance: Both variants of the Superb are available with a 2.0 Litre Turbocharged petrol engines producing 188 bhp @ 4200 rpm and 320 Nm @ 1450 rpm of max power and max torque respectively. Unlike the Sportline variant sold in Europe region which has a sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and a more responsive steering setup, making it a more engaging car to drive than the L&K variant - the India variant unfortunately, has no performance worthy differences whatsoever!

3. Features: The L&K variant is the top-of-the-line variant and comes with features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and adaptive dampers. The Sportline variant is more focused on performance and comes with features such as sports seats, paddle shifters, and a sportier instrument cluster.

4. Additional features: Incidentally, the L&K variant is provided with three driving modes namely, Normal, Eco and Sport mode. They are for dynamics lights, aircon, steering weight and throttle sensitivity. Surprisingly, the Sportline variant misses on this and the TPMS (Tire pressure monitoring system) which the L&K conveniently provides!

5. Price: The L&K variant is typically more expensive at Rs. 43 Lakhs on-road Delhi than the Sportline variant Rs. 37 Lakhs OTR Delhi due to its higher-end features and premium design.

6. Comfort and Space: Both variants of the Superb offer spacious and comfortable interiors with plenty of legroom and headroom. However, the L&K variant has a more luxurious and premium feel, with leather upholstery and more advanced features such as the adaptive dampers, making it more comfortable for long journeys.

April 2023 will see the second and more stringent phase of BS6 emission norms get implemented within the country. While we’ll see many cars get upgraded to satisfy them, a couple of models are going to be discontinued thanks to the high cost of upgrading or thanks to them simply not bringing enough sales to form them viable. The primary car we all know which is going to be discontinued is the Skoda Octavia. The Superb (if we were to believe the sales teams in dealerships) will continue to sell with an engine upgraded to meet BS VI norms in India.

The car definitely gives a run for the money to the cars in the next class, sharing the same engine setup with a different tune - the Audi A4 and the Audi A6. It surely justifies it name - The Superb! Ultimately, the choice between the Skoda Superb L&K and Sportline variants depends on your individual requirements and preferences. If you prioritize luxury, comfort, and advanced features, the L&K variant would definately be a better option. If you value a sporty design, (with no specific performance variance) the Sportline variant may be more suitable for you.