Škoda
Superb: Australia Bound?
By Feann Torr - 10/January/2008
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Škoda Superb
Škoda Australia has "has full intentions of
launching" the new Superb in this country
Along with a range of new intuitive technologies
the Superb is expected to be offered with V6 power
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Mladá
Boleslav, Czech Republic —
If you thought the new Škoda Octavia was a nice piece of
kit, wait until you see their new model, the Superb.
Larger than the Octavia, measuring 4.8 metres from
bumper to bumper and 1.78 metres wide, the new Superb will make it's
first public appearance at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March, and
already the hype is building.
As well as an all-new limo-inspired design that's
one-part Volkswagen, one-part BMW, the Superb will benefit from a range
of pragmatic technologies that will spearhead Škoda's
attack on global new car markets.
The flagship model in the Czech car maker's range
will include things like an automatic
parking assistant system, a new electronic air conditioning system and
adaptive headlamps that illuminate round corners.
It's also expected to be one of the safest cars in
Škoda's range with no less than nine airbags, ESP, and a
number of other features designed to protect precious cargoes.
According to Škoda, "safety was one of the top
priorities in developing the new vehicle".
Having driven Škoda's Octavia here in
Australia, it's clear that the marque builds good quality cars that are
very pleasant to drive, with German technology at Asian car prices.
Interestingly Germany is currently Škoda's largest market,
which says a lot about the value of these Czech cars.
As for the new Superb, it will be launched first
in Europe and has a good chance of coming down under.
Škoda Australia released a statement
reading: "The current Superb is not available in the Australian market,
however Škoda Australia has full intentions of
launching the successor here."
Together with a new look and a range of premium
features, the new Škoda Superb will feature six engines
after its launch in Europe - three diesel and three petrol.
Though Škoda has been
tight-lipped about specifics, it did mention that engine power will
range from 77kW to 191kW, suggesting that the top of the line petrol
model could be packing a 3.2- or even a 3.6-litre V6 FSI engine from
the Volkswagen Group.
A powerful V6 engine would certainly
boost the cars performance image and could provide a ripping
0-100km/h benchmark time, but as yet there's been no talk of hybrids or
alternative fuels, save for the efficient diesel models.
Transmissions will comprise both auto and manual,
and DSG (automated twin clutch) gearboxes will also get a guernsey.
It is highly likely that the Superb will be
offered with the 1.8-litre TSI engine (our favourite from the Octavia
range), which outputs 118kW and 250Nm of torque and is one of the best
1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engines we've sampled.
Built at Škoda Auto's plant in Kvasiny
and based on the VW Passat floorpan, the new Superb will build on the
success of the Octavia and has every chance of reaching Australian
shores.
We'll have more info on the new Czech car closer
to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.
Related
Articles:
- Skoda
Octavia & Roomster (Road Test)
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