Skoda has revealed the revised version of its flagship Superb saloon and estate, which will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time. The hybrid will be launched as the Superb iV in recognition of Skoda’s new sub-brand that will be used for its bold electrification plans. The firm launched the Superb alongside the pure-electric Citigo-e at an event in Slovakia. The Superb iV features a 154bhp, 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor, which sends drive to the front wheels through a six-speed DSG transmission. The peak system output is 220bhp, with 295lb ft of torque. The car will be capable of completing 34 miles of pure electric running, identical to the similar Volkswagen Passat GTE. Skoda has yet to release performance figues, but insiders suggest they will closely match the Passat, hinting at a 0-62mph time of around 7.4secs for the saloon. The battery pack is located under the floor and ahead of the rear axle, which means a slight reduction in boot capacity – 485 litres for the saloon and 510 litres for the estate, compared to 625 and 660 for the non-hybrid versions respectively. Beyond the well-hidden charging port integrated into the front grille there will be little to give away the PHEV’s part-electric status. The infotainment system can display information on battery status and electric range and additional controls for the various powertrain modes. It will also be possible to programme the PHEV’s aircon to cool the cabin before the car is needed. The existing Superb powertrains will be carried over for the facelifted model, with a new 2.0-litre 190bhp TSI unit added. The range-topper will continue to be a 280bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged version. The redesigned Superb has gained a new-look grille, with added chrome trim between the LED rear lights. There is also a new front bumper, which stretches the length of the car by 8mm to 4869mm. The car is the first Skoda to gain full LED Matrix headlights as an option, and new driver assistance features include predictive cruise control. Sales for the facelifted car begin in September with the plug-in hybrid version following earlier next year. Pricing has yet to be revealed, but Skoda promises the PHEV will be highly competitive in its increasingly crowded part of the market, and is anticipated to constitute up to 20% of sales in the
Origin: 2019 Skoda Superb revealed with plug-in hybrid option
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Autocar confidential: Skoda takes the high road, Ferrari keeps it traditional and more
Ferrari, Skoda and Toyota lead the snippets from our automotive newsgatherers this week, with electrification being high on the agenda for all involved. Maranel-ectrification is a stretch Don’t count on seeing an all-electric Ferrari for a long time yet. Michael Leiters, Ferrari technical chief, said there are two big issues with the tech: sound and weight. “It’s not fitting right now for a Ferrari,” he said. “We’re studying, yes, to learn better but there is no decision yet.” The first Ferrari hybrids will arrive later this year. Three’s the magic number Skoda is content to keep its UK line-up of SUVs to three over the coming years, according to boss Bernhard Maier. Despite some rivals expanding their range further, Maier said: “I think we have everything our competitors do. What are we missing? We don’t always have to bring the same kind of cars. Our line-up is profitable and successful, and customer feedback is that our vehicles are spot on.” Toyota and Lexus make a power play Toyota and its luxury marque, Lexus, will outline their electrification plans at this year’s Tokyo motor show in October. Until now, the brands’ focus has been on hybrids but announcements are expected at the show about electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The brands’ models, which are built on a new global architecture, can be adapted to different powertrains with relative ease. Courting controversy The judge responsible for many of the Dieselgate lawsuits at a regional court in Stuttgart, Germany, has been replaced due to suspected bias at the request of Volkswagen. The judge’s wife is the owner of a VW diesel car affected by the emissions scandal and has sued the German car maker in a district
Origin: Autocar confidential: Skoda takes the high road, Ferrari keeps it traditional and more
Skoda electric models to stand out with unique lightstrip
Skoda’s forthcoming range of electric vehicles will retain a front grille but be distinguished from internal combustion-engined models by a bold, full-width lighting strip, according to company boss Bernhard Maier. The design was previewed by the Vision iV SUV shown at the Geneva motor show in March and will be retained for the production version due next year. That car will be Skoda’s first model built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform. Maier said the production design will feature a single LED light strip that links the headlights and splits the grille into upper and lower sections. “This is the new expressive crystalline design language,” said Maier. “Glass working has been a Czech specialism for centuries, so this is something that is authentic.” The lighting strip will be made of Plexiglass to save weight. Another changed styling feature of the Vision iV production car will be the adoption of a conventional grille. The concept featured a ‘phantom’ grille but, despite no longer being needed for engine cooling, the slatted grille will remain, with Maier citing feedback from customers who said they liked the design. The production Vision iV will also be sold with a choice of three battery packs and two motor configurations. This is in line with other VW Group electric cars being built on MEB, such as the forthcoming Volkswagen ID hatch. Battery packs of 49, 60 and 82kWh will be introduced over the vehicle’s life, with the biggest battery offering a 300-mile WLTP range. The model will launch with the 49kWh battery and one other, but which has yet to be decided. As standard, the Vision iV will be rear-wheel drive with a single motor, but higher-spec models will be offered with a front-mounted motor providing all-wheel drive. Maier says the two-motor version is “more agile” than the single-motor model. To keep costs down, the Vision iV won’t feature a reduction gearbox, which could increase top speed. “That’s why we limit it to 112mph. Not having a separate gearbox will be very good for the vehicle cost,” said Maier. Skoda boss Bernhard Maier on… Using the iV badge for electric cars “All our electric and electrified vehicles will get the suffix iV, including the Kodiaq and Superb plug-in hybrid. It is not easy to find the right label for new technology. There are already a lot of names used by the competition.” The final name for the Vision iV “The name is not quite clear. We are still working on that. We have some real interesting ones, which perfectly fit our overall nomenclature.” Launching 10 EVs by 2022 “Our basket is full of arrows. I hope all will hit the spot. We have a total of 30 new models by 2022. This is a truly amazing product offensive.” The possibility of a hot Kamiq vRS crossover “We haven’t decided. There could be an opportunity but we have to decide on the most important priority. As things stand, we cannot produce enough
Origin: Skoda electric models to stand out with unique lightstrip
Skoda sketch previews facelifted Superb flagship
A new sketch released by Skoda previews the design of the facelifted Superb flagship ahead of a reveal later this month. The preview image hints at a subtle evolution of the Mazda 6 rival’s front fascia, which retains Skoda’s trademark grille design, alongside redesigned headlight clusters and a reworked lower bumper. Like the recently launched Scala hatchback, the revised Superb will feature the marque’s name in letters across its bootlid, in place of the Skoda emblem. More significant is the fact that the new Superb will be the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option, likely the same 1.4 TSI petrol-electric powertrain that features in the Volkswagen Passat GTE, with which it shares a platform. In the similar-sized Passat, this hybrid set-up produces a combined 215bhp and can emit as little as 39g/km of CO2. Like the Passat, the Superb can be expected to run in electric-only mode for up to 31 miles. Inside, the Superb will benefit from similar interior revisions to those received by the Rapid-replacing Scala hatchback. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is likely to be made standard across the range, with an enhanced focus on simplicity and ergonomics differentiating the new model from its predecessor. Skoda’s revamped infotainment system will also feature, enabling over-the-air updates and new mobile app functions. Increased personalisation is likely, with Skoda currently offering new microfibre interior materials and backlighting lower down the range. Last year, Skoda design chief Oliver Stefani pledged to roll out a new, bolder design language for the Czech firm in the run-up to mass electrification of its line-up. “Skoda values have always been functionality, usability and practicality,” he said. “We’d like to add more emotion.” The new Superb will be revealed in full during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, of which Skoda is the long-standing main sponsor, in Bratislava later this
Origin: Skoda sketch previews facelifted Superb flagship
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