The SKODA model offensive continues: The new SKODA Superb and the Superb Combi have undergone a comprehensive facelift and will both celebrate their world premiere on 19th April 2013, the eve of the Shanghai Motor Show. The brand's top model impresses with fresh, attractive ŠKODA Design, including a new interior and new technology features. The new Superb is to be launched in European markets at the end of June, 2013.
"The ŠKODA Superb is the pinnacle of our model line-up and proves ŠKODA's capability as a manufacturer. The present comprehensive facelift has made our top model even more attractive," says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland. The design of the hatchback and combi endows them with an assured presence and resolutely demonstrates their reputation as the flagships of the brand. The new Superb impresses with improved fuel economy and features new solutions in terms of technology. At the same time, the Superb confirms all the good values that have made this model line a success for 12 years now. "The ŠKODA Superb offers comfort beyond the middle-class standard. This means lots of room, excellent functionality, high comfort, top safety, great value for money and timeless elegance. We are always intent on offering our customers a little bit extra car," says Vahland.
The ŠKODA Superb boasts a completely new front and rear. Elements of the brand's new design language are clearly visible: clear lines, precise quality and balanced proportions. The front end, which has been completely redesigned up to the A-pillar, now looks much more distinctive. The grille, car logo, head and fog lights, bumpers, front fenders and bonnet are new. The distinctively drawn front with a significantly wider grille as well as the completely redesigned headlights create an assured appearance. Available for the first time in the Superb series are bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights.
The rear of the Superb hatchback and combi has also been completely redesigned and made clear, tidy and precise. The taillights' graphic has been reinterpreted to further emphasise the brand's typical C-shape. This will be the first time in the Superb that three LED stripes create this shape. Two triangular elements in the hatch are another unmistakable feature of the new ŠKODA design.
Additionally, the Superb's exterior is now available in two metallic finishes: metal grey and moon white. New 16- to 18-inch alloy wheels are also on offer.
In the interior of the ŠKODA Superb, three- and four-spoke steering wheels are now available in a total of nine variations. Additionally, there are nine new fabrics and patterns for the seat covers as well as new designs. In the highest level of trim, the ŠKODA Superb L&K, a new brown-ivory colour combination is available.
In terms of engines and drive technology, the ŠKODA Superb is even more attractive: Selected engines save more than 19 per cent fuel as compared to their predecessors. Also contributing to this is start–stop and kinetic energy recuperation technology, which will be standard in all ŠKODA Superb diesel engines and also the entry-level 1.4 TSI/92 kW petrol engine in EU countries. The Superb GreenLine consumes only 4.2 litres of diesel per 100 km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. The 2.0 TDI/103 kW diesel engine now features a manual transmission in the 4x4 version. The larger all-wheel drive 2.0 TDI/125 kW diesel now comes with a six-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.
The new edition of the ŠKODA Superb continues ŠKODA's tradition of offering a huge amount of space. The hatchback and combi offer the most amount of space in their upper-mid class segment offering the largest boot and the most legroom for rear seat passengers. In no other vehicle in this class do rear passengers have so much space as in the ŠKODA Superb. There is now a new function available to make travelling in the back that bit more comfortable: For the first time ever, the front passenger seat can also be easily moved from the rear electronically.
The amount of boot space offered in the Superb remains unbeaten in its class: The hatchback with 595 litres, the combi 633 litres – both are the ‘best-in-class' values. With the backseat folded down, the transport volumes increase to 1,700 and 1,865 litres respectively.
The new Superb reaffirms its reputation as a particularly clever representative of the upper-mid class. The driver of passengers are provided with an umbrella stored in the door, a feature otherwise available only in top-end luxury vehicles. Another "Simply Clever" solution of the new Superb hatchback is still the Twin Door tailgate. A unique ŠKODA-patented solution permits the tailgate to be raised in two stages: users can choose to open only the boot lid or the entire tailgate including the rear window. The technology has become even simpler to operate: each opening mode now has its own button. Until now, users had to press a shift button.
More "Simply Clever" features include the Jumbo box in the centre console, storage pockets in the doors and under the passenger seat, the practical sunglasses compartment and also the storage area in the centre armrest of the backseat – all well thought through. This is also true of the boot which offers practical features such as an optional dual cargo floor, lockable storage, bag hooks, lashing eyelets and optional holding nets.
The comfort offering in the new Superb has increased significantly with the latest-generation Automatic Parking Assistant now available in both the hatchback and the combi. The new system now supports both parallel and reverse perpendicular parking and assists in entering and leaving parking spaces.
In addition, the new Superb offers superior comfort features such as an electric sunroof with integrated solar cells in the hatchback, the electric panoramic sunroof in the combi, the automatic lock and start system, KESSY, air conditioning and four modern audio and navigations systems: all the way to the top navigation system, Columbus, with 6.5" colour touch screen and integrated 30GB hard drive.
The Superb puts its best foot forward in terms of safety, as evidenced by a five star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test. In EU countries, the hatch and combi are fitted with ESP, ABS and brake assist as standard. The optional Adaptive Frontlight System ensures excellent visibility in the dark. The Driver Activity Assistant can be activated to give warning of impending driver fatigue. The optional hill-hold assistant ensures a smooth uphill start without use of the handbrake. An electronic tyre pressure monitor is also fitted as standard in models from ‘Elegance' up. In case of accidents, passengers are protected by up to nine airbags as well as three-point seat belts and height-adjustable headrests.
Source: Skoda