Skoda gets serious with Superb

Skoda has staged the world debut of its third-generation Superb in Prague overnight, finally revealing full details and images of its all-new flagship sedan after a slow-release campaign spanning more than two months.

As indicated by the teaser video released yesterday, the new Superb brings a crisp new design with a more rounded roofline, a sharp new grille flanked by slim 'crystalline' headlights and a prominent full-length shoulder line.

However, the MkIII Superb sedan, which is expected to be joined by a redesigned Skoda Combi (wagon) in Australia early next year, has now been confirmed to bring a number of firsts for the Volkswagen-owned Czech brand.

Based on the same modular MQB platform as the latest VW Passat, the new Superb – the third modern Skoda to wear the historic nameplate since 2001 – brings a host of advances including up to 75kg less weight, up to 30 per cent lower fuel consumption and up to 20 per cent more power, plus vastly more space and technology.

Thanks in part to an 80mm-longer wheelbase and wider wheel tracks (although the front overhang is 61mm shorter), Skoda claims its has the largest boot in its class – at a massive 625 litres, it's 30 litres bigger than before.

Interior space is up too, including more front head room and 39mm more front elbow room, while Skoda says rear legroom — at 157mm — is double that of its closest competitor and rear head room of 980mm is also class-leading. Rear elbow room has increased by 69mm.

A host of new driver assistance technologies will be available, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Crew Protect Assist, Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Emergency Assist, Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert, Travel Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition and Driver Alert fatigue detection.

Bi-xenon headlight including AFS function and LED daytime running lights will be optional, as will Light Assist and Smart Light Assist automatic high-beam control.

Standard safety features include seven airbags, electronic stability control, Multi-Collision Brake, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, an XDS+ electronic differential lock and five three-point seat belts with reminders.

In Europe, rear side airbags will be optional and a speed-limiter standard from Ambition trim level upwards.

Riding on new suspension comprising MacPherson front struts and a multi-link rear axle, the new Superb is the first Skoda to offer Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) including Driving Mode Select.

There's also new air-conditioning, including a three-zone climate-control system in top models for the first time, as well as an optional electric panoramic glass roof, auxiliary heating, heated front and rear seats, a wireless heated windscreen and heated washer jets.

Also new are automatic wipers and headlights, the latter able to switch between daytime running lights and dipped beam depending on light conditions. And instead of an umbrella in the left rear door, there is now an umbrella in each front door.

They are among the 29 'simply clever' features claimed by Skoda, 23 of which appear in the Superb for the first time and 10 of which are all-new.

Others include a manually retractable towing device, a tablet holder in the rear, a tablet storage compartment in the front 'Jumbo Box', a USB port and 230-volt socket in the rear, single-handed opening for a 0.5-litre bottle and an extra hi-vis vest storage compartment in all four doors.

Both of the front and rear doors have space to store a 1.5-litre bottle, there's an option to fold down the back seats from the boot, the passenger seat can also be folded down, there are new cargo fasteners in the boot, an ice scraper in the fuel filler flap, new storage nets on the inside edges of the front seats, a removable LED torch in the boot and misfuel protection.

There's a new electric tailgate with motion sensor, which works in combination with the KESSY automatic locking and starting system, plus the newest generation Park Assist automatic parking system, an electric park brake and, for the first time, a reversing camera.

In terms of connectivity, the Superb will offer four new infotainment systems based on Volkswagen Group’s modular infotainment matrix technology (MIB) – all of them faster and with high-resolution touch-screen displays offering more functions and new interfaces. 

In a first for Skoda, the top-of-the-range Columbus system has the option of integrated high-speed internet access via an LTE connection. New to Superb is smartphone connectivity with the ability to operate selected apps via the touch-screen, and SmartLink including MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Developed for Skoda, the SmartGate interface allows certain vehicle data to be accessed on the user’s own smartphone apps, and the new ŠKODA Media Command app allows the infotainment system to be controlled remotely from the rear seats for the first time.

There's also a 12-speaker, 610-Watt Canton sound system option.

Last but not least are a range of EU6 emissions-compliant engines that Skoda claims are up to 30 per cent more efficient.

Top of the pops is the Superb GreenLine, which consumes just 3.7L/100 km and emits only 95g/km of CO2, thanks in part to a reduced drag coefficient of just 0.275Cd and vehicle weight reductions of up to 75kg – despite the bigger body.

In all, five direct-injection turbocharged engines will be available -- five TSI petrol, three TDI diesel, all with idle-stop and brake energy recovery tech as standard – ranging between 92kW and 206kW (petrol) and 88kW and 140kW (diesel), making the new model up to 20 per cent more powerful.

Apart from the entry-level petrol engine, all powertrains will be available with dual-clutch transmissions, while four (110kW 1.4 TSI, 206kW 2.0 TSI, 110kW 2.0 TDI and 140kW 2.0 TDI) will be offered with a Haldex 5-based all-wheel drive system.

When it arrives Down Under early next year, expect a similar range structure as the current Superb, which comprises 118TSI Ambition, 118TSI Elegance and 125TDI Elegance variants in both sedan and wagon form, priced from $31,990.

“Skoda is demonstrating the brand’s new standards in the automotive mid-class segment with the new Skoda Superb, its design and technical qualities and its unbeatable space,” said Skoda CEO Prof Dr Winfried Vahland.

“Skoda's experience and passion from almost 120 years of car making have been incorporated into the development of the third-generation model. The new ŠKODA Superb is impressive evidence of the brand’s engineering and design competence.

"As an important pillar of our growth strategy, the new Skoda Superb points to the brand’s future and will attract new private and business customers to the company. Skoda is entering a new era with this car."