The Skoda Superb facelift gets a new plug-in hybrid that can drive 55 km in electric power alone. It also gets some cosmetic changes on the outside as well as on the inside.
Skoda has unveiled the new facelifted Superb internationally. The Skoda Superb facelift gets few cosmetic changes on the outside and the inside which still make significant difference. However, the biggest change is under the hood. The Superb gets a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time.
The Superb plug-in hybrid is the first such hybrid car from Skoda and has been titled as the Superb iV. This nomenclature is to be followed for other hybrid vehicles from Skoda in the future as well. The Superb iV uses a 1.4L, TSI petrol engine which produces 158 hp and and then there’s an electric motor which produces 116 hp more. The powertrain comes mated to a 6-speed DSG gearbox for a total combined output of 217 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
The Skoda Superb is based on the platform of the Volkswagen Passat. In fact, the Passat GTE features the same hybrid powertrain as in the new Superb. The 13.5 kWh battery will also give the Superb an electric only driving range of 55 km. The Superb is also expected to have similar performance figures to the Passat GTE which means it will do the 0-100 kph sprint in about 7.4 seconds.
However, the batteries have been placed under the floor and near the rear axle. This means that there is a reduction in boot space capacity – 485 liters compared to 625 liters for the non-hybrid version.The plug-in charger has been very neatly integrated in the front grille and one will not be able to tell that this is a plug-in hybrid.
Talking about the design, the Skoda Superb facelift gets new full LED Matrix headlamps. The headlamp cluster itself is sleeker than before and has new detailing as well. The bumpers too have been revised. The air dam now stretches across the entire width of the car and also houses the newly designed LED fog lamps. Also, the signature butterfly grille gets a wider chrome band around it.
Also Read : The Skoda Rapid Will Get A 1.0L, TSI Engine With 7-Speed DSG Gearbox In 2020.
At the rear, the Skoda logo has been substituted with the SKODA lettering written in bold. There’s a also a very slim band of chrome that runs along the entire boot lid and is integrated into the tail lamps, thus joining them. The LED tail lamps have new detailing as well with sequential turn indicators and the bumpers have new grey inserts. It remains largely the same on the sides but there are new wheel rim designs.
On the inside, the Skoda Superb facelift has a new virtual cockpit instrument cluster, and VW’s latest infotainment system. The infotainment screen has been slightly redesigned and it also has new chrome and other trim designs around the cabin.
Also Read : Next-Gen Skoda Rapid Planned For India Launch In 2021
The Superb will continue with the other engines as usual, i.e, the 1.8L, TSI petrol engine and the 2.0L, diesel engine. The facelifted Skoda Superb is going on sale internationally by September and we can expect it to arrive in India by sometime next year. When launched, the hybrid powertrain could make a lot of sense for the Indian market with the government’s stricter emission norms for diesel engines.
