Skoda to launch Superb Scout in Oz

SKODA Australia has lifted its Superb game – literally – with the announcement it will be offering the previously unavailable Scout variant from April, priced at $59,490 plus on-road costs.

Riding 15mm higher than the standard Superb wagon, the Scout will be available in limited numbers and offered in just a single trim level, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine good for 200kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

Power is fed to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s familiar seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with the Scout also scoring an exclusive off-road drive mode which adds hill start assist and hill descent control.

To distinguish itself from the standard Superb wagons, the Scout has been given a few unique visual cues aside from its (slightly) increased ride height, the most noticeable of which being rugged looking black cladding along the wheelarches and skirts.

Skoda has been careful not to make the Superb Scout all show and no go off-road however, with the tough-looking cladding backed up by extra under-body protection for the driveline as well as the aforementioned off-road driver mode.

According to Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer, several hundred Superb Scouts had been secured for sale Down Under ahead of the mid-life update for the Superb sedan and wagon’s arrival later this year.

Inside, the usual wealth of Superb goodies are included as standard including a 9.2-inch Columbus infotainment system, Canton premium sound system, SmartLink smartphone connectivity, virtual cockpit, DAB+ digital radio, adaptive chassis control with Drive Mode Select, automatic tailgate, heated electric Alcantara and leather seats with memory function, Climatronic triple-zone air conditioning, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging and stainless steel pedal set.

Safety is also up to usual Superb standards with nine airbags fitted as standard as well as Emergency Assist, Passenger Protection Assist, tyre pressure monitoring, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake and Predictive Pedestrian Protection.

Other features include automatic park assist with manoeuvre assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist and Traffic Jam Assist while metallic and pearl effect paint, Velvet Red paint, Tangerine paint and a panoramic sunroof are all available as optional extras.

Thanks to a recent review of Australia’s climatic classification, Skoda Australia will use the Superb Scout to introduce the brand’s first local petrol engine fitted with a particulate filter.

“This particulate filter can withstand petrol with 50 parts per million of sulfur, but it must be understood that these cars can run only on premium unleaded,” Mr Irmer said.

Mr Irmer also called for the immediate introduction of a higher quality petrol in Australia, saying all motorists would benefit and that it would bring Australia into line with “most first world countries”.

Last year Skoda sold 849 Superbs, accounting for 9.8 per cent of the sub-$70,000 large car market, a 1.4 per cent improvement on 2018.