Skoda takes top honours at Towcar awards

The Caravan Club named the Skoda Superb Estate as the Towcar of the Year 2011 at its annual award ceremony held on Thursday 23 September at the RAC Club in London.  The winning model, the Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR, was chosen by a panel of 10 judges for its great versatility, excellent performance and dynamic abilities.

The Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TDI CR also received an accolade at the awards, by being selected as the best in its price category – Under £16,000.  The judges praised its “tenacious pulling power...and quick, accurate steering.”

This is the third time that the Skoda Superb has been named Towcar of the Year, with the first-generation saloon winning in 2003 and the new-generation twindoor model taking top honours in 2009.

Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman commented: “The Skoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR is sure to be a popular choice with Caravan Club members.”

John Bower, Head of Aftersales for Skoda UK, accepted the honour, saying: “Since it launched earlier this year, the Skoda Superb Estate has proven to be an extremely popular choice for drivers looking for luxury and style combined with practicality and spaciousness.  Caravanners, in general, tend to make very educated and informed purchases and have extremely high standards when it comes to their towcar, so receiving an award from the caravan industry experts is not only an excellent achievement but a real testament to the quality of the model.”

The Caravan Club tested the entries in each category at Millbrook Proving Ground in August.  The cars were tested in a variety of conditions, towing 85 per cent of their kerb weight. Tests included driving characteristics, “caravanability” and everyday usability.

This award continues the winning streak for Skoda in general and the Superb specifically. After being named Top Gear’s Best Luxury Car of the year, Auto Express added to the honours by naming it their Best Estate Car 2010, followed soon after by Professional Driver’s award of Private Hire Vehicle of the Year.

Originally designed in the 1930s with luxury and elegance in mind, today’s Superb range builds on these strengths, with more rear legroom than many prestige chauffeur cars on the market and some ingenious technological advances such as AFS (adaptive front light system), touch screen technology and park assist.

The Superb Estate, Skoda’s flagship model, is available from Skoda retailers across the UK, with prices starting from £17,720.00.