Double delight for Skoda Superb- Wins Towcar awards and nominated for European COTY Awards

Yup, thats right. The 'superb' Skoda Superb has got more reasons to start grinning. This car is being eagerly awaited in India and is expected to be launched in India before the end of 2008. This car has always been a favourite with executives as they could enjoy being chauffered with that enormous legroom at the rear. The new car will keep up to that name, but there is that slight hint of sportiness which might make make the owners drive it once in a while.

Read more about its awards and more pictures after the break.

The Škoda Superb 2.0 TDI has won the overall title in The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2009. The car, which also won the £20,000 to £25,000 class, beat 37 rivals to the title, including the defending champion, the Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.5 T Estate.

The Superb’s classic design, load-carrying capability, practicality and outstanding value for money were all praised by the judges, who said: “Superb buyers will get a stylish, modern and practical car with great fit and finish. One of its best features is the rear load compartment. The ‘caravanability’ judges found it would take a full load of caravanning equipment, and loved the Škoda’s unique rear tailgate design that can be opened as a conventional saloon boot or hatchback, its party-piece.

“The Superb is what you’d call a thoroughly nice car. There is acres of room for everyone, comfortable seats and the driver is rewarded by a powerful but quiet engine and one of the slickest six-speed gearboxes around. Our guess is that it will become one of the all-time caravanning favourites.”

Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman, commented: “Škoda should be proud of its achievement in this rigorous competition and the Superb 2.0 TDI is sure to be a popular towing vehicle with our members.” Details of the Superb, along with all the entrants, will be distributed to the Caravan Club’s members in a special supplement.

Škoda UK Brand Director Robert Hazelwood said: “We are very proud to have won this prestigious award. The Superb offers class-leading levels of space, comfort and equipment, and is sure to be a winner in the towcar market.”

SEAT Sport UK driver Jason Plato presented Škoda UK Head of Press and PR Cathie Bell with the award at a presentation lunch held at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London on Thursday.

EUROPEAN CAR OF THE YEAR

Europe’s annual Car of the Year awards are on again and the finalists have been revealed. Whittled down to just seven front-runners from a field of 38 candidates, the competition is expected to be exceptionally close - there is no run-away favorite. Last year’s winner - the Fiat 500 minicar - was something of a shoo-in, picked for its high safety levels and popular exterior styling.

The seven finalists this year, on the other hand, are equally - if differently - capable of winning the overall title. Already a number of very strong cars have been eliminated, including BMW's 7-series, the Jaguar XF, the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. The handful of cars left will battle it out for the judges' approval.

The European Car of the Year awards are judged by a panel of 59 members, representing 23 European countries. National representation on the panel is related to the size of the country's car market and its importance in car manufacturing, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain topping the list with six members each.

To be eligible, the cars must be available for sale in at least five European countries within the 12 month period prior to the winner’s announcement on November 17 at the Paris Motor Show.

The seven finalists are:
- Alfa Romeo Mito
- Citroen C5
- Ford Fiesta
- Opel/Vauxhall Insignia
- Renault Megane
- Skoda Superb
- VW Mark VI Golf

Source : Motor Authority and Automobiles Review