SKODA’S PLUG-IN VERSION OF ITS BEST CAR IS A MUST-HAVE

One of the best cars on sale has just got better. We’re talking about the Skoda Superb, one of the best value, most spacious and downright useful motors you can buy.

The Superb was given a mild facelift earlier in the year but that’s not why it’s an even better car.

It’s because Skoda has added a plug-in hybrid version.

We’ve driven it and there’s a lot to like about it. Skoda reckons around 30% of all Superbs sold will be this model.

And that’s believable because business users, which make up most buyers, will love the economic benefits.

If you’re not a business user, there’ll still be much for you to like about this car, too.

We’ll start with the mechanical details. The petrol engine is VW’S familiar 1.4-litre TSI which, in the Skoda, produces 154bhp and drives through a sixspeed double clutch automatic gearbox.

Sandwiched between the engine and transmission is a 85kw or 115bhp electric motor. Finally, under the car’s floor ahead of the rear axle is a 13kwh battery pack.

This pinches a bit of space, so the fuel tank is reduced to 50 litres – but this makes little difference in practice.

You have three driving modes to choose from, like most plug-in hybrids. Hybrid mode chooses the

Skoda Superb iv SE Technology Price: £33,250

Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, 154bhp, plus 115bhp electric motor

0-62mph: 7.4sec

Fuel consumption: 156.9mpg

Co2 emissions: 39g/km

right combination of EV and petrol power. Sport combines electric power with petrol power when you need top performance. And EV mode makes the car electric-only. Skoda reckons you’ll get up to 35 miles of range in this.

The car was launched in Amsterdam and in busy traffic we managed 30 miles easily, enough for most UK owners’ commutes.

As always with plug-in hybrids, if you don’t charge the battery regularly you’re missing the point of having the car in the first place.

Charging from a 7kw wallbox takes about two and half hours – double that with a household

The Fiat 500 and Panda will soon be available with a mild hybrid powertrain. Both big-selling small cars will have a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that features a belt drive starter/generator and an 11Ah lithium battery. The petrol engine offers 70bhp and 88g/km emissions in the 500, with 89g/km in the Panda. The 500 will be in showrooms next month and the Panda in March. Prices start at £16,795 for the 500 and £14,385 for the Panda. Fiat will follow these cars with a fully electric all-new 500 later this year.