Between the spy shots and the official teasers we’ve seen plenty of Skoda’s upcoming Superb, though so far the sightings have been restricted to the capacious wagon version. But we all know that the mechanically identical sedan is being developed in parallel and this week we’ve finally spotted one out in the open. Spy photographers caught the more formal four-door Superb testing in the Alps, and a quick Google translate job on the German text on the rear tells us that its specifically the performance of the brakes on the long Alpine descents that the engineers are interested in.
The Superb shares its stretched MQB
platform with the next European-market Volkswagen Passat, which has
traditionally been slightly shorter than the Skoda but will match it
inch-for-inch this time. While the VW will only be available as a wagon, the
Skoda gives buyers two body styles to choose from, including the liftback sedan
seen here. Both feature a massive wheelbase that’s likely to be increased a little
from the current Superb’s 2,840 mm today, and potentially 100 mm longer than the outgoing Passat’s.
The profile shots that best show off the
Superb sedan’s long wheelbase also reveal that its rear window has a fairly
sporty rake, but it looks like the roofline maintains its height until almost
the back end of the rear door, which suggests rear headroom won’t be
compromised at all. VW entrusted Skoda to design both the Passat and Superb,
and the two cars will be built at the same Kvasiny factory in the Czech
Republic.
Neither the Superb or Passat will offer a
pure EV variant, but electric power will still play a crucial role in the
powertrain lineup thanks to a range of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid gasoline
engines. But Skoda has always been VW’s most conservative brand with a very
sensible customer base, so a diesel or two will probably remain on the menu
when the Superb is launched this fall to keep the peace with European drivers
who still love the potential to drive 805 km on a tank of fuel.
Skoda has confirmed that the new Superb
will make its debut in autumn 2023 and will be available for sale shortly
thereafter.
