Skoda teases Superb facelift

SKODA has released a teaser sketch of its facelifted Superb large car ahead of its imminent unveiling in Europe this weekend.

 

But Australian buyers should not get too excited about reports of a plug-in hybrid version this time around – GoAuto understands that variant is destined for China, at least for the foreseeable future.

 

Instead, Australia will stick with its internal combustion engine range that currently includes a 2.0-litre petrol engine in two states of tune – 162kW/350Nm and 206kW/350Nm – and a similarly sized 140kW/400Nm diesel.

 

The revamped sedan and wagon are due for a November showroom launch in Australia where Superb remains just one of just three survivors in the traditional large-car segment, along with the Holden Commodore and Kia Stinger.

 

Although the facelift will be minor, mainly focusing on the front fascia, lights, badging and a new infotainment system, the revamp will help to maintain the sales momentum for Superb in Australia where the Skoda passenger car flagship has bucked the large-car sales trend by gaining sales this year.

 

To the end of April, Superb sales were up 33.6 per cent, to 330 units, in a segment down almost 30 per cent this year on top of a 58 per cent plunge last year.

 

Volkswagen Group Australia general manager of corporate communications Paul Pottinger told GoAuto that while Skoda’s SUV offerings were getting most of the custom for the Czech brand in Australia, the Superb’s value was keeping it strong with consumers.

 

“The Superb is a lot of metal for the money with strong pricing,” he said.

 

The current range kicks off with the base petrol 162 TSI sedan at $40,690 plus on-road costs, and tops out at $58,490 for the 206 TSI 4x4 Sportline wagon.

 

Mr Pottinger said specifications for the revised Superb range were still being finalised.

 

Launched in Australia in 2016, the third-generation Superb’s 2019 facelift will include new LED headlights and foglights, with the latter joined from side to side by a strip that could be, depending on your imagination, chrome or LED.

 

On the back, the boot lid gains Skoda lettering instead of the traditional round badge.

 

For consumers, the biggest news is expected to be the infotainment system that moves up to Volkswagen Group’s third-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) unit that debuted in the VW Passat. Boasting its own SIM card, the system is always on to connect with various systems.

 

Skoda will use its sponsorship of the Ice Hockey World Championships starting in Slovakia this Friday to reveal all on the makeover.

 

Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group Australia is looking forward to ample shipments of Octavia mid-size car stocks over the next few months after struggling with a shortage recently.

 

Octavia sales are down 27.4 per cent in the year to date, to 417 units, compared with 574 in the first four months of 2017.

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