The Škoda Superb is a mid-size/large family car (D-segment) that has been produced by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2001. The first generation of the modern Superb, produced from 2001 to 2008, was based on the VW B5 PL45+ platform. The second generation Superb used the B6 A6/PQ46 and was introduced in 2008. The third and current generation using the MQB platform entered production in 2015.
In 2009, one year after the B5 generation had been discontinued in Europe, the facelifted Volkswagen Passat Lingyu was unveiled in China.[6] In 2011, the Volkswagen Passat Lingyu was discontinued, succeeded by the Passat NMS.
The base model, the 'Classic', included the 1.9 litreinline four cylinder (I4) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel producing 74 kilowatts (101 PS; 99 bhp), or a 2.0 litre petrol inline four rated at 85 kW (116 PS; 114 bhp). The 'Comfort' and 'Elegance' models offered with a 1.8 twenty valveTurbo petrol I4 rated at 119 kW (162 PS; 160 bhp), or either a 142 kW (193 PS; 190 bhp) V6 2.8 litre petrol engine, or a 2.5 litre V6 TDI rated at 120 kW (163 PS; 161 bhp).
Transmissions included a five speed or a six speed manual gearbox, or a ZF sourced five speed tiptronicautomatic. In addition to the 1.9 litre "Pumpe Düse" (PD) Unit Injector engine, the Superb eventually gained the 103 kW (140 PS; 138 bhp) 2.0 litre TDI PD (BSS). This was an 8V single camshaft engine based on the 1.9 litre TDI that was unique to the Superb with two main differences over the 1.9 litre TDI. The BSS engine shared the same twin balance shaft oil pump used in the 16V twin camshaft 2.0 litre TDI PD engine that can be found in various Audi models. It also featured a wet DPF that used fluid contained in a tank under the spare wheel to generate heat for regeneration. This was used over a standard dry DPF due to space limitations in the engine bay.
The Superb received a minor facelift in August 2006[7] incorporating Škoda's new radiator grille, headlights, side repeater indicators integrated into the door mirrors, and C-shaped tail lights in the style of Škoda Roomster and second-gen Škoda Octavia.
An interior redesign completed the upgrades. A 'Laurin and Klement' model became the top of the range, replacing the 'Elegance' model. A range of new engines was introduced and the interior featured real wood as part of some trim levels. The 'Comfort', 'Elegance' and 'Laurin & Klement' models feature an umbrella stowed in the rear door panel.
Škoda considered a station wagon version of the Superb. However, it was never put in production, the reason being Volkswagen feared that such a version would take too much market share from its own PassatVariant and Audi's A4Avant. When the Superb was released in the United Kingdom in May 2002, the most expensive variant was priced at only £1,000 more than the cheapest Jaguar X-Type.
An all new Škoda Superb (B6, Typ 3T) was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March 2008.[10]
Based on a stretched version of the latest A5 Octaviaplatform, the Volkswagen Group A6 PQ46, this Superb is a four door five seatsedan, with an innovative "TwinDoor" trunk lid that can operate as a conventional trunk or as a hatchback that includes opening with the rear glass.
Being based on the Octavia A5 platform, this Superb now uses a transverse engine layout. A Superb Combi – five door estate with 633 litres in the boot – was presented to the press in June 2009, and debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009.
Diesel engine options included 2.0 litre I4 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) with Pumpe-Düse injection which was rated at 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 2.0 litre I4 TDI 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) with common rail, and a 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) 1.9 litre I4 TDI available also for the Greenline version with reduced fuel consumption.
In 2010, the engine range was updated. The car was now available with a 147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp) 2.0 litre TFSI petrol four cylinder. Changes in diesel offer included two switches: 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) two litre with Pumpe-Düse injection was replaced with common rail engine; the 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) 1.9 litre PD unit was replaced with 1.6 litre common rail engine of the same power.
Transmissions include five and six speed manual gearboxes, and the popular automatic Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) with either six or seven speeds, as an option on almost all engine/trim combinations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive, the Superb and Superb Combi were both available with all-wheel-drive with a fourth generation Haldex clutch. The wheels were choice of 16", 17" and 18".
Trim levels available in the majority of Europe were named the 'Comfort', 'Ambition', 'Elegance', 'Greenline', 'Exclusive' and 'Laurin & Klement' (May 2012) – with Laurin & Klement being top of the range. In the United Kingdom, the levels available were 'S', 'SE', 'Elegance', 'Laurin & Klement' and 'Greenline'. In Sweden, an important market for Škoda, a version of the four-wheel-drive Superb Combi with off-road pretensions went on sale in June 2012.[11] Analogous to the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70 it was called the "AllDrive." Based on the Elegance equipment level it features black plastic cladding around the lower parts of the car and around the wheelwells. Its ground clearance is also increased to the tune of 20 mm (0.79 in) and a front skid plate is added.[12] In Sweden it was only available with the three different engines (one petrol, two diesels) and four-wheel-drive, but when the model was made available across Europe as the "Škoda Superb Outdoor" one month later (reaching the United Kingdom in October 2012) it was also available with front-wheel-drive, and most of the engine range.[13]
For the Superb there is an extensive list of standard and extra equipment, including bi-xenon headlamps with AFS, front/rear proximity sensors, automatic park assist system, tyre pressure monitoring system, navigation system with large 6.5" colour touch screen display and 30 GB hard drive, television broadcast receiver, electrically adjustable seats and mirrors, rain sensor, sunroof with solar panels that allow circulation of air in parked car, front/rear heated seats, ventilated front seats upholstered in leather. For the Superb Combi a large tilt/slide two piece panoramic sunroof was an option.
2012: Highest score in the JD Power customer satisfaction study (UK) in the mid-size segment[17]
2011-13: Best-Value Family Car in Australian Money magazine[18]
Facelift
2013 facelift
In April 2013, Škoda unveiled a facelifted Superb in Shanghai. It was released for sale in the European market in June 2013. Updated exterior design features Škoda new design language elements. Headlights are fitted with integrated LED daylight running lights; diodes are standard for tail lights, too. The Twindoor opening mechanism was changed in order to provide easier operation: one button opens just the lid, while the other opens whole tailgate.
Up to now, one button was dedicated just for opening, while the other had shifting function. With the facelift, a combination of all wheel drive and DSG automatic transmission appeared on offer for the 125 kW two litre diesel engine. Starting from January 2014, design Outdoor package is available for the Superb Combi.
The list of features was slightly expanded too. The facelifted Superb received the latest generation of Automatic Parking Assistant. In addition to parallel parking (entering/exiting the parking space), the system is also capable of perpendicular parking (entering the parking space only).[19]
From now on, the passengers in the rear seats can adjust the passenger seat from the back. The electrical control is located on the side of the passenger seat near the centre console and is thus easy to operate from the back. Passengers in the rear can move the front seat forward and back and adjust the seat height and angle.
Engines
Overview of engines available for the second generation Superb (B6, Typ 3T), incl. facelifted model.
The new model is larger than the second generation.[25] The Škoda Superb appeared in the Tour de France as a Referee car.
The new generation of direct injection turbocharged engines consisting of four cylinder units, was to include five petrol engines ranging in size from 1.4 to 2.0 litres, and three diesels of 1.6 or 2.0 litres. The Superb 2.0 TSI 4x4 200 kW (268 hp) is currently Škoda's fastest production car, with a top speed drive by 249 km/h (155 mph) and acceleration of 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 5.5 seconds.[26]
Dealer deliveries of the sedan began in June 2015, with the station wagon followed in September.[27]
In the United Kingdom, the trim levels available were named the 'S', 'SE', 'SE Technology', 'SE L Executive', 'SportLine' and 'Laurin & Klement', with Laurin & Klement being top of the range. As of 2016, price ranges from £19,060, to the most luxurious L&K trim with all equipment for £42,385.
Selected acknowledgements
The Superb received very positive reviews in all foreign tests. British newspaper The Telegraph rated the new Superb with an overall rating of 9/10, Autocar 4/5, Top Gear 8/10, Auto Express 5/5, and in the German magazine Auto Bild, the Superb received 588 points. The Superb has also scored highly in Australia, where Car Advice awarded an overall rating of 9/10 highlighting key areas of value for money, features, performance and cabin space where the car has excelled.[28] The Superb also defeated its rivals, in AutoBild test the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E220 CDI)[29] and in Auto Express the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI.[30]
The Škoda Superb was also awarded the title of Car of the Year in the Czech Republic[31] and in North Macedonia.[32]
In January 2021, the Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 150 SE L was named Estate Car of the Year by What Car? magazine.[36]What Car? awarded the Superb Estate five stars out of five in its review of the car.[37]
The first plug-in hybrid was also introduced, the new Škoda Superb iV will be available with turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine, outputs is rated at 160 kW (215 hp) and has an all-electric range of up to 55 kilometres (34 mi). The new Škoda Superb Scout brings with its taller suspension and underbody protection a little bit of off-road ability.[39] The facelifted car went on sale in early 2020.[40]
* Since September 2016, the 1.4 TSI (92 kW) and 1.6 TDI (88 kW) engines were no longer available, leaving 110 kW as the weakest engines.
* Since Model Year 2017, Škoda began equipping the 2.0 Litre 150hp Diesel and Petrol Superb with DQ381 DSG Gearboxes. Since Model Year 2018, the gearboxes were featured on the 2.0 Litre Diesel and Petrol Superb with 190hp. These gearboxes replaced the previously used DQ250 6-Speed "wet" dual-clutch gearbox. The newer DQ381 is a "wet" dual-clutch 7-Speed Gearbox. Since 2021, Skoda began equipping the 2.0 Litre 4x4 petrol-engined models with the EA888 Evo4 engine, engine code DNFE which increased output back up to 206kW.
4,904 mm (193.1 in) (liftback) 4,901 mm (193.0 in) (estate)
Width
1,849 mm (72.8 in)
Height
1,480 mm (58.3 in) (liftback) 1,473 mm (58.0 in) (estate)
The fourth-generation Superb was officially unveiled on 2 November 2023.[44] The model will be offered as an estate and a liftback. It shares the same body panels and greenhouse with the Volkswagen Passat B9.[45][46] Both the Passat B9 and the Superb Mk4 are offered with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (only for Combi) engine options, and are the first passenger vehicles of the Volkswagen Group to be based on a stretched version of the MQB Evo platform. Unlike its predecessor, a manual option will not be available.
Design
The fourth-generation Superb features the brand's new "Modern Solid" design language "characterised by sharply drawn lines, clearly defined dynamic proportions and a modern sculptural and crystalline styling." Compared to its predecessor, it has a 10% and 15% reduction in drag coefficient for the liftback and Combi models respectively.[47]
The front has the second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights with new Crystallinium, new octagonal grille finished in unique dark chrome, the Škoda logo on the bonnet and the air curtains inside the front bumper. The side has a bodyline that runs from the front lights to the rear lights. The rear has Škoda lettering on tailgate finished in unique dark chrome, Crystalline-designed LED taillights with animated lighting features and the Combi has an extended rear spoiler with side finlets. The taillights are the only design element on the rear that both the liftback and Combi models have in common.[48][49]
Rear view (estate)
Rear view (liftback)
Interior
Interior
The interior has a 10.25" Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display, 10" touchscreen infotainment system (which can be upgraded to a larger 13" screen), Smart Dials with three rotary dials used to operate the drive modes, HVAC system and volume, and the gear selector is mounted on the steering wheel column. All textile materials used are made from 100% recyclable materials, and the ‘cognac’ brown leather option is tanned using waste water from olive processing.[50][51]
There is a total of twenty-eight Simply Clever features such as a Jumbo Box with a 5.5 L (0.19 cu ft) storage space underneath the armrest, Phone Box wireless charging slot with a cooling function, and an umbrella stored inside the driver's door. Other interior features includes a 14-speaker Canton sound system, Ergo seats with 10-point massage function, and a heads-up display available for the first time on the Superb. The liftback and Combi models has a boot space of 645 L (22.8 cu ft) and 690 L (24 cu ft) respectively, which can expand to 1,920 L (68 cu ft) on the Combi model when the rear seats are folded.[51][52]
Safety
The fourth-generation Superb achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with its results were applied from the Volkswagen Passat B9 as both vehicles have a similar body structure.[53]
^Annette Napp (19 February 2015). "Nicht nur mit gewohnt guter Technik, sondern auch mit schicker und dynamischer Optik tritt der neue Škoda Superb gegen die Konkurrenz an. Im Juni 2015 kommt die Limousine auf den deutschen Market" [Combining the usual technical qualities with chic and dynamic styling, the new Škoda Superb confronts the competition. The sedan/saloon comes to the German market in June 2015]. Auto, Motor und Sport (in German). 05/2015: 30–34.