2016 Skoda Superb launch confirmed for 23rd Feb 2016

Now, the current Superb on sale in India has a lot of things going for it – it is spacious (and how!), has class leading equipment, and it makes for both an easy car to drive and be driven in. The Superb also gets a fair choice of drivetrain options – a diesel and a petrol engine and both manual and automatic gearboxes to choose from.

What the current generation Skoda Superb lacks though is style, proportions and that crucial oomph factor. Kudos to Skoda then, because with the new generation Superb, not only have they managed to make the car look good, current and dynamic, they have actually managed to make the car’s styling its strongest suit!

The third generation Skoda Superb is built on Volkswagen’s new modular MQB platform. So it shares its front end architecture, its drivetrains and the electronics and wiring architecture with the new Volkswagen Passat as well as the Audi A3 and its own younger sibling the Skoda Octavia. But, because this is a modular platform, the New Superb has been configured to have different dimensions.

Compared to the current generation Skoda Superb, the new car sits on an 80mm longer wheelbase and it is, in fact, longer and wider than before. But since it has shorter overhangs not only does the new Superb look better proportioned now, it also manages to free up more space, particularly at the rear. Which, we think is a great achievement because unlike the current car, the new Superb actually has an almost coupe like, sporty roofline. The new Skoda Superb then has more knee, shoulder and head room at the back, and more leg and elbow room upfront as well.

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In terms of styling, the most striking bit about the new Skoda has to be its front. The new headlamps look striking, the bumpers are more aggressive and the grille still manages to convey an air of elegance. The bonnet with its more pronounced contours and the power dome gives the new Superb a more youthful aura.

On the side, the Coupe like roof line, the better proportioned cabin area with respect to the car’s overhangs and the sharper wheel arches dominate, while at the rear, the LED tail lamps and the new tail gate are the new Superb’s design highlights. The tail gate meanwhile, only opens as a hatch because the dual opening option on the current Superb was proving to be both expensive and heavy for the new car. Not that it has affected the boot space, in fact, the new Superb’s 625 litres of luggage room (with the rear seats in place) is actually more than the car it will replace come February 23rd.

Not only has the exterior design been notably refined on the new generation Superb, but the interiors are much-improved too. Now, there wasn't much wrong with the second generation car’s insides either – these were well finished, ergonomically sound and well appointed. But, for the third generation Superb, Skoda has taken each of these aspects to a new high. It will now come with a dash with a piano black finish and ambient lighting, ventilated seats for that added comfort in hot summer months, a panoramic sunroof, boarding lamps on the outside and a 12-way adjustable driver’s seat with memory function.  

In terms of equipment, the new Superb continues to get its trade mark umbrella holder, but instead of just one on the rear left door as on the second generation Superb, the new car gets two now as part of the front doors. As for the convenience features, the list is nothing short of exhaustive. It will feature a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system which will come with Smart Link connectivity and Apple’s CarPlay system. Your audio needs will be taken care by a 12-speaker Canton sound system. The new Superb will also feature a 3-zone climate control system with a separate zone for the rear passengers and a ‘boss button’ which will enable the rear passenger to adjust the front passenger seat. 

The engine and gearbox options meanwhile will continue unchanged on the new Superb. When it’s launched just four days from now, it will most likely come with the 1.8-litre TSI petrol and the 2.0-litre TDI diesel mated to manual and DSG gearboxes. But, both these engines have been honed further to return better fuel efficiency and driveability.

Skoda has a lot riding on the New Superb. Not only will the car usher in a new, more cutting edge design direction for the Czech brand, but the new generation Superb is also expected to bring in a younger, affluent set of buyers into the Superb fold. And the way the new car looks and the technological advancements it comes packed with, we feel Skoda shouldn’t have a problem achieving this. Also, the new Superb will take on the Volkswagen Passat and the Toyota Camry but it should also finally prove to be a worthy alternative to entry-level luxury cars like the Audi A3 and the Mercedes CLA.