Photo: Skoda
Most Skodas are bought with the head, not the heart. However, due to its huge sedan body, the clean design and excellent bang-to-buck ratio, the flagship Superb model is a car many people get really excited about. Now, details of the next generation model are starting to trickle down and they suggest the Mk3 will be the most advanced model ever to be made in the Czech republic.
A report from Auto Express states the new Superb is due out in 2016, two years from now. The current generation was introduced in 2008 and received a mid-life facelift in April 2013, when it received features such as electrically operated front and rear passenger seats.
We believe the planning and development has already started, based on the leaked sketch that emerged from China a month ago. The new Superb should be based on the longer, wider version of the MQB used by the new Passat. Remember, MQB is not a singular platform, but a "modular tool kit", as the Germans put it. The old A Group family of platforms that were replaced by the MQB had similar derivatives. For instance, the Golf and Octavia used the A5 (PQ35), while the Passat used the sturdier and more complex PQ46.
The same British source states the new Superb will receive a plug-in hybrid system, the first of its kind offered on a mass production car. Despite being part of the same group and using common platforms, both Skoda and Spanish carmaker SEAT have been denied access to hybrid powertrains so far. This is mainly because the advanced technology doesn't match European driver tastes and is somewhat expensive.
The 2016 Superb will most likely receive the same plug-in system used by the new Passat. Sharing the same platform means the two have identical mounting points. If the Volkswagen Golf GTE and Audi A3 e-tron are anything to go by, than we can expect emissions of
only 50 g/km and pure electric driving range of around 50 kilometers (31 miles), if not slightly more.
While the Superb will be their first plug-in hybrid to be offered to regular customers, it's not Skoda's first attempt at being eco. In 2011, a fleet of Octavia Green E Line electric powered vehicles demonstrated the company's innovative potential and technological competence. A small fleet of test vehicles based on the estate model. Power came from a large 26.5 kWh battery made up of 180 lithium-ion cells and weighing about 315 kilograms. The single electric motor provided 60 kW (81 PS) of cosntant power and 85 kW (115.6 PS) on boost for overtaking. The Octavia Green E Line accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds and has its top speed limited to 135 km/h. Skoda and Volkswagen built similar prototypes based on the old Leon and Golf. However, the Germans were the only ones to go into mass production with the Golf GTE plug-in and e-Golf EV.
Before we get too sidetracked, let us remind you that previous reports from China stated the new Superb will also drop its V6 engine in favor of a 2-liter turbo with 280 PS. This will be one of the largest cars made on the MQB, with a wheelbase of 2,836mm, 75mm more than the current generation. The design should be inspired by the VisionC Concept shown in Geneva this year.
We believe the planning and development has already started, based on the leaked sketch that emerged from China a month ago. The new Superb should be based on the longer, wider version of the MQB used by the new Passat. Remember, MQB is not a singular platform, but a "modular tool kit", as the Germans put it. The old A Group family of platforms that were replaced by the MQB had similar derivatives. For instance, the Golf and Octavia used the A5 (PQ35), while the Passat used the sturdier and more complex PQ46.
The same British source states the new Superb will receive a plug-in hybrid system, the first of its kind offered on a mass production car. Despite being part of the same group and using common platforms, both Skoda and Spanish carmaker SEAT have been denied access to hybrid powertrains so far. This is mainly because the advanced technology doesn't match European driver tastes and is somewhat expensive.
The 2016 Superb will most likely receive the same plug-in system used by the new Passat. Sharing the same platform means the two have identical mounting points. If the Volkswagen Golf GTE and Audi A3 e-tron are anything to go by, than we can expect emissions of
While the Superb will be their first plug-in hybrid to be offered to regular customers, it's not Skoda's first attempt at being eco. In 2011, a fleet of Octavia Green E Line electric powered vehicles demonstrated the company's innovative potential and technological competence. A small fleet of test vehicles based on the estate model. Power came from a large 26.5 kWh battery made up of 180 lithium-ion cells and weighing about 315 kilograms. The single electric motor provided 60 kW (81 PS) of cosntant power and 85 kW (115.6 PS) on boost for overtaking. The Octavia Green E Line accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds and has its top speed limited to 135 km/h. Skoda and Volkswagen built similar prototypes based on the old Leon and Golf. However, the Germans were the only ones to go into mass production with the Golf GTE plug-in and e-Golf EV.
Before we get too sidetracked, let us remind you that previous reports from China stated the new Superb will also drop its V6 engine in favor of a 2-liter turbo with 280 PS. This will be one of the largest cars made on the MQB, with a wheelbase of 2,836mm, 75mm more than the current generation. The design should be inspired by the VisionC Concept shown in Geneva this year.
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