2016 Skoda Superb

Czech car maker Skoda unveiled their new flagship sedan earlier this year, the 2016 Superb, at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. With the second generation Superb currently available in Australia, this new third generation Superb will bring considerable cosmetic changes, design upgrades and mechanical updates across the range.

The 2016 Superb is based on Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform – the same architecture which underpins the new Volkswagen Passat. Use of this new platform has enabled Skoda to trim some 75kg from the car’s weight. As far as looks go, the 2016 Superb also has a sharper looking redesigned front face, with a larger grille that features slender vertical bars. Bi-xenon headlights with integrated daytime running lights add further style, along with a wide lower air dam with fog lights either side.

Sticking with the “same but better theme”, the new Superb features the same pronounced centre bulge which runs up the centre of the bonnet, along with short overhangs and a redesigned “tornado line” which sweeps along the side of the car. At the rear you’ll find new LED tail lamps which look much slicker than before, plus a sloping roofline which offers an almost coupe-like profile. Whether this eats into rear passenger headroom too much remains to be seen.

The 2016 Superb’s wheelbase is now 80mm longer than before, too, which pays dividends when it comes to interior space. While looking a little bit ‘VW’ in here, the front features two nice supportive seats and you face a neatly designed, high-quality dashboard. It isn’t just VW’s looks that Skoda draw on either, with the company also heavily relying on VW’s technology too. The Superb is closely related to VW’s Passat, meaning VW’s newest safety and driver assistance systems can be installed in the new Superb.

Under the bonnet, the new Superb will be available with a choice of three 2.0L four cylinder engines. Firstly there’ll be a 140kW turbo-diesel, plus a 162kW turbo petrol and 206kW turbo petrol engines. All three will be offered with VW’s six-speed double clutch gearbox. It is also expected that the 206kW turbo petrol engine powered cars will also come with all-wheel drive.

The third-generation Superb looks to be on the right track but unfortunately it won’t be released in Australia until mid-to-late 2016, due to production related delays. For now it is shaping up to be a contender against the more established German rivals, where it’ll come out swinging with a cheaper price tag.