Skoda Superb GreenLine For the EU Presidency

Skoda Superb GreenLine

Czech manufacturer Skoda takes advantage of the country's role as President of the European Union to promote its flagship environmentally friendly Skoda Superb GreenLines. Twenty-seven vehicles will be used by the government for the transport of EU ministers and delegations visiting the Czech Republic.

The cars were used including during the visit made by president Barack Obama to the country, as part of the EU-US summit held over the weekend. "We are really pleased that the vehicles will be used to transport the EU environment ministers in Prague - this is surely going to be seen as an example worth following,“ Radek Spicar, Skoda PR manager said in a release.

The Superb GreenLine uses a 1.9l TDI PD engine (also used on the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion) that develops 105 horsepower. The engine puts out into the atmosphere 136g/k of CO2, at a combined fuel consumption rate of about 55.4 miles per gallon (4.2l/100 km).

These results were not achieved as much by modifying the engine, but by tweaking other systems of the vehicle. The manufacturer lowered the chassis by 15 mm to adapt it to the aerodynamic requirements and extended the gear ratio, as well as re-mapping the engine for greater efficiency.

To lower the overall weight of the vehicle, Skoda went as far as even giving up the spare tire, replacing it with a tire repair kit. Also, special tires with lower rolling resistance added to the systems that allow low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Skoda places its faith into Barack Obama's soft spot for green vehicles. The company's PR manager confirmed that "we are aware of his positive attitude to environmental protection and giving environmentally-friendly vehicles political support is very important in terms of increasing the number of such vehicles in general."