Even though Skoda may no longer be the butt of bad car-related jokes, many people still might not associate the brand with the word 'luxury'. But that is set to change following the introduction of the new Superb Laurin & Klement. Prices will start at €36,415 for the manual saloon and rise up to €43,815 for the range-topping Combi DSG 4x4 estate. All are now available to order from your local authorised Skoda retailer.
Exterior
Physically, even the standard Superb is an impressive car that carries a healthy level of presence - a trait that is improved upon even more with this new Laurin & Klement edition. This special Skoda is identified only by the discreet L&K logo on the wings. The car rolls on 18-inch 'Sirius' multi-spoke alloy wheels. They are finished in a black and silver design. Other up-market features include the standard fitment of bi-Xenon lights at the front and LED lights at the rear, while access is aided by a keyless entry system.
Interior
It's on the inside that the Superb Laurin & Klement really stands out. The front and rear seats come upholstered in high-quality leather and all feature heating as standard. The L&K logo is also embroidered into the seat backrests. In the front there is the larger 'Columbus' satellite navigation screen along with a 'Canton' 10-speaker surround sound entertainment system. Helping to keep its occupants comfortable is dual-zone climate control.
Mechanicals
Powering the Superb Laurin & Klement is the familiar 2.0-litre 170hp TDI engine sourced from the Volkswagen Group, which offers a good combination of power, economy and refinement. It will be available to order in both manual and automatic (DSG) options, and in the latter case can also be specified with four-wheel drive.
Anything else?
Just who are Laurin & Klement? They're Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, the founders of the Skoda brand, which began by manufacturing large luxurious limousines for royalty around the world over 100 years ago.