Skoda has revealed their new Superb, the most luxury-focused sedan in the VW-owned Czech automaker. The 2019 car improves upon the B8 generation with an updated fascia with subtle styling tweaks and a more advanced equipment list.
At a glance, the new Superb will hardly be easily recognisable from the outgoing model, but does an effective job at bringing the saloon up to scruff with Skoda’s evolving design language. Then again, it never really needed much work to improve upon its existing handsomeness.
The new headlight clusters might look similar but house a new set of full LED matrix illuminators that bear a very similar set of attributes to Audi’s own Matrix LED system. Sharp looking new wheels are on hand as well, going up to a set of 19-inch alloys.
The fresh array of seat and trim materials evident over the older model and are spread according to trim level, now offering leather as well as a blend of Alcantara for that extra touch of premium. To top it off, higher grade variants also receive interior ambient lighting.
Crucially, the Superb range gains a tougher wagon-bodied Scout variant and even a plug-in hybrid variant that shares its internals with the Passat GTE, combining a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol TSI with a 13kW lithium ion battery and a 85kW electric motor. All told, the Superb iV produces 160kW/400Nm, range-leading efficiency, and an a zero emissions drivable distance quoted at 55km.
Given a fully charged battery and brimmed tank of petrol, Skoda says that the plug-in hybrid has a potential range of 850km, almost the distance between Melbourne and Sydney without a trip to the pumps. Most impressive. Unfortunately, the electrified Superb has not received the green light to be sold in Australia.
Speaking of the Volkswagen cousin, the rest of the Superb’s engine line-up also benefits from the also recently updated Passat, meaning an assortment of TSI and TDI motors that are that much more efficient than before.
Proceedings kick off with a 150kW 1.5-litre TSI with an optional manual transmission before moving up to the 2.0-litre unit for up to 200kW, both mated to a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch. Diesel lovers will find either a 1.6 TDI with 88kW or a larger 2.0-litre oil burner for up to 140kW.
Every version of the 2019 Superb will likely receive a much improved version of Skoda’s infotainment system, headlined by a touchscreen and surround that takes up nearly the full width of the centre console.
We’ll have more on the updated Superb as the Australian introduction, earmarked for Q3 2019, nears.
For more on Skoda cars, check out our Showroom.
