New Zealand’s new-generation Skoda Superb patrol car may look similar to the wagon you can buy from a dealership, but almost every part has been re-engineered for frontline policing, reports DAVE KAVERMANN, of CarExpert. 

The latest Skoda Superb patrol car may roll off the same production line as the wagon sold in New Zealand dealerships, but by the time it enters frontline service it’s a very different vehicle.

Featuring smaller wheels, a higher ride height, unique suspension and brakes, and – perhaps most importantly for officers – the return of front cupholders, the fourth-generation Skoda Superb has been so extensively re-engineered that customers can’t buy anything like it from a showroom.

Police and Skoda New Zealand say a standard production Superb simply isn’t designed to withstand years of emergency response work without significant engineering changes.

“The car that the average person will buy is not the Skoda Superb [we use],” Police acting national fleet manager Leighton Hamlin tells CarExpert.

“We make a lot of changes to that chassis and the vehicle, including things like suspension and brakes, to make sure that it’s fit for purpose for our frontline.”

Skoda New Zealand product and planning manager Matthew Markby says the Police car is far more than a showroom model fitted with lights and sirens.

“This car is a completely unique right-hand drive offering. There is nothing else like it throughout the rest of the world.”

Development took about two years, with a dedicated special projects team at Skoda’s Czech factory working alongside engineers in New Zealand.

Here are the key differences between the two models that CarExpert was allowed to disclose.

Smaller wheels, tougher tires

One of the most obvious differences are the Police car’s wheels.

Earlier Police Superbs started with 19-inch alloy wheels before moving to 18-inch rims. The latest model now rides on bespoke 17-inch wheels fitted with higher-profile tyres.

“Things like the 17-inch wheels [are] specifically for Police,” Matthew says.

The change wasn’t made for styling.

“We were still having dramas with not enough sidewall hitting kerbs and damaging rims,” Leighton says. “It's a compromise between performance and having enough sidewall protection, ground clearance and that kind of thing.”

The smaller wheels also reduce operating costs.

Higher ride, bespoke suspension

Police has also increased the ride height compared with the showroom Superb.

The extra suspension travel improves ground clearance for pursuits, rural policing, speed humps and repeated kerb strikes. 

“We've got some additional sump protection as well... we used to have a few sump strikes. It doesn't stop that, but it tries to prevent damage,” Leighton says.

The suspension has been extensively recalibrated to cope with the permanent load of police equipment.

Police and Skoda New Zealand supplied detailed weight distribution data from existing patrol cars, down to the location of radios and other equipment, allowing the factory to redesign the suspension and chassis accordingly.

Every Police Superb carries between 150kg and 200kg of equipment, Matthew says. “That means that the suspension and the layout of that car needs to change accordingly.”

As a result, the wagon actually sits slightly higher at the rear when empty.

“But by the time you put all the equipment in the back, that's when the car's at its best.”

Unique Police interior

The cabin is also quite different from the retail car.

Instead of the leather or higher-grade upholstery, the Police Superb uses a unique cloth Loft interior that is designed for durability and lower repair costs.

Even the standard carpet mats are deleted in favour of all-weather mats that are added later

Another significant modification happens before the car even leaves Europe.

Because the standard Superb uses a space-saver spare, Skoda modifies the rear floor using components from the related Volkswagen Passat so Police can carry a full-size spare wheel.

“We've got a Volkswagen Passat tub that [the factory has] welded into the back because the chassis of the Passat is very similar to the Superb,” Leighton says.

“We needed that tub in the back to make sure that we can get a full-size spare from the factory.”

The production car also deletes several showroom features. The parcel shelf is removed in favour of secure lockable storage, while exterior chrome trim is replaced with matte plastic components.

Matthew says every modification is aimed at reducing repair bills and minimising downtime across a fleet expected to cover hundreds of thousands of kilometres.

Months of testing

Police and Skoda also work directly with the Czech factory to retune the suspension and braking systems specifically for emergency driving. Before entering service, every new patrol car undergoes three to four months of rigorous validation testing.

That includes repeated heavy braking, 100km/h moose tests, simulated pursuit driving, high-speed handling assessments and validation that active safety systems don’t intervene unexpectedly.

One of the most appreciated changes isn’t mechanical.

Previous-generation Police Superbs lost their front cupholders because the emergency lights and siren controller occupied the same space. The light and siren controls have been relocated, allowing the cupholders to return.

Despite the extensive modifications, the Police Superb retains the same safety equipment as the standard wagon, which carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating and a 93% Adult Occupant Protection score.

Leighton says protecting officers remains the highest priority.

“We’ve had no serious injuries or deaths, thankfully, in our Police cars. We write off 90 vehicles a year for various reasons, which is not ideal, but these things crash well.

“For me that’s really paramount. If we do get in the thick of it, our people walk away safe and not seriously hurt.”