Geneva show: Skoda outs Superb

SKODA'S all-new Superb will make its first public appearance at the Geneva motor show next month, with sharp angular styling, improved performance and a selection of what the Czech brand calls 'simply clever' details.

Now in its third generation, the company's largest and most luxurious model brings the range-wide Skoda design language, while borrowing cues from the VisionC concept that broke cover at the same show a year ago.

In home continent Europe, the Superb range will be offered with a choice of five petrol and three diesel engines, driving either just the front wheels or all four, but which combinations Australia will get is yet to be announced.

Skoda Australia public relations manager Kurt McGuiness said the company is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new Superb when it arrives Down Under next year.

"The Superb remains an important part of Skoda’s local line-up, and we look forward to introducing the new Superb to Australian customers in 2016," he said.

Up to 75kg has been stripped from the new Superb compared with the outgoing model and combined with lower drag, aerodynamics have resulted in as much as a 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, but up to 20 per cent more power, depending on the variant.

Skoda has shoehorned more gear into the Superb with safety getting the biggest boost. The flagship of the winged arrow range now has forward collision braking, Automatic Distance control, lane assistance, blind spot monitoring, reverse parking assistance, driver fatigue detection, speed limiter, traffic sign recognition and hill-hold assist.

The Proactive Occupant Protection system detects emergency maneuvers and prepares the passengers for a possible impact by tightening the seatbelts and closing any open sunroof or windows to further reduce injury from invasive objects.

Light Assist is also standard fitment and provides illumination outside the car at night from headlights and downlights under each door mirror, and turns on headlights automatically when it is dark or the windscreen wipers are activated.

As the flagship of the Skoda range, the Superb promises to be the most luxurious and comfortable with a host of new features to make occupants feel special. Skoda says rear head and legroom, and luggage space is the best in its class, while three-zone air-conditioning, heated seats and a panoramic sunroof boost cabin comfort.

A 'virtual pedal' allows the boot to be opened without touching the car or pressing a key button, and Skoda has retained the umbrellas cleverly concealed in each front door – a feature first offered by Rolls-Royce.

New connectivity technology is on offer with automatic smartphone connection, a SmartGate application that allows vehicle information to be retrieved from a mobile phone, and a high-speed internet connection turns the Superb into a WiFi hotspot.

Skoda's Media Command application allows rear seat passengers to control entertainment and information systems via smartphone or tablet devices.

The Volkswagen Group-owned car-maker says the new Superb is “the best Skoda of all time”, a sentiment repeated by the company's CEO Winfried Vahland.

“The new superb heralds the dawn of a new era for Skoda,” he said. “Over recent years, Skoda has established itself as an international volume manufacturer.

“Our new flagship is now the highlight of Skoda’s most comprehensive model campaign ever, and shows where Skoda stands today.

“The car’s outstanding design and engineering qualities, and the unbeatable space make our flagship the new benchmark in the automotive mid-class. The new Skoda Superb is a clear demonstration of our growth and points to the future of the brand.”