How much does my Skoda Superb Elegance have in common with the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon?

Earlier in the year I read a motoring story ‘On par with Golf’. What it boiled down to was that the World Car of the Year, the Mk VII Volkswagen Golf, has very close ties to the Audi A3, the Skoda Octavia, and the SEAT Leon. In a nutshell, all are Golfs. I have owned a 2007 Skoda Superb Elegance from new and have to admit it’s the best car I've ever had. I have a strong suspicion that today’s Skoda Superbs also have the same parts as used in the Audi A4 or A6. Could you confirm this?

Asked on 12 October 2013 by RM, via email

Answered by Honest John

The Golf Mk VII, Audi A3, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia all share VAG's MQB engine/transmission subframe and engines and that creates a commonality of parts that makes them much cheaper to build. The current Skoda Superb has more in common with the current Volkswagen Passat, having a transverse engine, whereas the current A4 B8s, A5s and A6s have quite complex longitudinal drivetrains. Conversely, the previous Superb (like yours) was actually a stretched 'Chinese body' older model B6 Passat/A4, and they all had simpler longitudinal drivetrains.

Tags: model changes specification

Similar questions

Which model of Range Rover Evoque should we buy?

We are a retired couple doing only about 6000 miles a year, but we love the look of the Range Rover Evoque. Which one should we choose? It would be a manual by preference with five doors but we don't really...

Should I buy the Audi A4 V6 or the Audi A6 V8?

I am a reasonably keen driver and have always bought various older high performance BMWs, Audi's and even a Porsche Boxster over the last 20 years, and have whittled down my choice of next car to either...

Which new Honda Jazz model is the best in the range?

My sister wishes to buy a new Honda Jazz. Can you please suggest which is the best in the range, as there are so many models of Jazz? She fancies 1.4 EXL CVT for £17,200.

Related models

Audi A3 (2008 - 2012)

Good choice of engines. Some petrol engines now chain cam. Comfortable and well built interior. cheap to run 1.6 TDI. Feels very refined especially on the motorway.