New Skoda Superb

The design of the latest Skoda Superb was hinted at by the VisionC concept car at last year’s Geneva motor show, and a year on, the exhibition is playing host to the unveiling of the production version of the third generation Superb. With more than 700,000 first- and second-generation examples on the roads around the world, there’s a lot at stake, but Skoda management is confident that the latest car achieves a new level of quality, elegance and sophistication.

And while the second generation car was no doubt a great car, with an immense amount of space inside, from some angles it wasn’t particularly good looking. That’s a thing of the past with the new model, which looks sharp and elegant no matter where you are standing. The tradition of offering extra space compared to its rivals continues, as does the clever ideas that set Skoda apart. In all, there are 29 different features that make life easier for the driver and passenger, with 10 solutions totally new for the brand. ‘Simply clever’ features include a tablet holder in the front armrest, USB and 230-volt sockets in the back, and cup holders that allow you to open 500ml bottles single-handedly, and whereas the outgoing Superb featured an umbrella in the left hand rear door, the new car has an umbrella fitted in each of the front doors, so both driver and passenger can benefit from being shielded from the rain.

The previous car had a complex ‘twindoor’ arrangement at the rear, with the boot lid able to be opened as a saloon or hatchback, however, the new car sticks solely with a hatchback arrangement, reducing complexity. And like its predecessor, it trumps every single rival in terms of boot space, with 625 litres available for luggage with the rear seats in place, which is a useful 30 litres more than the outgoing car. The wheelbase has been increased by 80 millimetres, which means there’s extra legroom for rear seat passengers, as well as additional head and elbow space.

The company has delved into the Volkswagen parts bin when it comes to technology, with this becoming the first Skoda model to feature adaptive suspension, named dynamic chassis control in this case. There’s the option of an electric rear tailgate, and the boot can be opened by way of a foot gesture under the rear bumper, allowing access to the luggage space when your hands are full. There’s an automated self-parking system, too, as well as the option of a reversing camera. The traditional hand brake has been replaced by an electric park brake in the latest car, as well as auxiliary heating, a wireless heated front windscreen and heated seats for when the colder months are at their most ferocious. On the safety front, there’s seven airbags, and the option of adaptive cruise control, a pre-crash system, lane assist, an autonomous emergency braking system, driver drowsiness detection and blind spot recognition.

All of the engines in the new Superb line-up meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards and come fitted with stop-start and brake energy recovery technology as standard. All units are available with both manual and twin-clutch automatic transmissions, and there’s the option of four-wheel-drive featuring a fifth-generation Haldex clutch system. The entry-level 1.6-litre TDI unit develops 118bhp, with a pair of 2.0-litre TDI engines developing 148 and 188bhp. The most frugal engine in the range wears the GreenLine nameplate and emits just 95g/km of CO2, while being capable of achieving 76.3mpg on the combined cycle. The efficiency gains have been possible thanks to a 75kg reduction in weight, together with better aerodynamics.

The latest Superb is set to arrive in UK showrooms in September, and so it is still too early to predict prices and final specifications. These are expected to be revealed after the Geneva motor show, while an estate version of the Superb will arrive at dealers during October.