Skoda Superb Makes its Australian Debut at Melbourne Motor Show

MELBOURNE, Australia – February 27, 2009: The all-new Škoda Superb will be making its Australian debut at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.

Although new on these shores, this model has a long history – there has been a Superb in Škoda’s line-up, on and off, since the 1930s. When it was re-launched in 2001, the first modern Superb represented a new start, a re-entry into a market which had long been neglected.

This latest Superb, however, is a pivotal car, a flagship model that links the company’s illustrious past with its ambitious future. It marks the next stage of Škoda’s development, and its arrival completes a four-model range in which each vehicle now has the distinct Škoda design DNA.

The new Superb offers craftsmanship, elegance, style and interior cabin space its rivals can only dream about. Then there its host of clever features, including ‘TwinDoor’, which turns the car from a Sedan to a Liftback at the touch of a button, lifting the Superb to even greater heights of flexibility.

Although its design has retained the traditional Liftback concept, the unique, patented ‘TwinDoor’ variable boot opening, designed by our engineers at Škoda, offers an extremely practical, functional and well thought out solution.

Depending on what is required, either the boot lid alone can be opened for smaller items to be placed inside. Or, by operating another button on the underside of the boot lid to activate an electro-mechanical release, you can lift the entire boot lid together with the rear window, allowing bulkier items to be loaded. When the rear seat backs are in an upright position, the boot will accommodate 565 litres of luggage, and if they are folded forward this volume increases to a massive 1,670 litres.

The new Škoda Superb is 4,838 millimetres long, 1,817mm wide and 1462mm high, and will offer a range of engines to fulfil the needs of every driver. There will be two petrol and one diesel variant available in Australia, all of which operate with direct fuel injection and excel as a result of their low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The 1.8 TSI with 118 kW of power (also being introduced in the new Octavia range) will be a popular choice. It provides peak torque of 250 Nm from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm, and propels the front-wheel-drive Superb to a top speed of 220 km/h. Acceleration is quick, needing only 8.5 seconds to get from 0 to 100 km/h. The 1.8 TSI is also matched to the latest 7-speed DSG transmission, which delivers exceptionally smooth gear changes and utilises the full potential of the engine’s torque.

The other petrol choice for the Superb will be a new 3.6 litre V6 FSI unit, with 191 kW of power and a maximum torque of 350 Nm between 2,500 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This engine powers the car from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 250 km/h. The 3.6 V6 FSI is supplied with an automated 6-speed DSG transmission and, so that the 191 kW is fully utilised, four-wheel drive too.

Traction distribution is designed to be variable thanks to a fourth-generation Haldex clutch, which monitors the traction and power delivery electronically. During normal driving conditions 100 per cent of the power goes to the front axle. When needed, however, the 350 Nm of torque can be sent to the rear wheels, which assists in safe and reliable traction in all road conditions – not only ice and snow during winter conditions.

The 2.0 TDI diesel, which works with common-rail direct injection, delivers outstanding performance and remarkable economy. It provides 125 kW of power, and a maximum torque of 350 Nm between 1,750 rpm and 2,500 rpm. The potential of this engine is evident in the high level of performance: top speed is 220 km/h, with the 0 to 100 km/h benchmark delivered in 8.8 seconds. This powerful diesel engine will be coupled with a new 6-speed DSG transmission which delivers a combined fuel consumption figure of just 6.9 litres per 100km.

Full specifications will be released at the time of launch but pricing has been confirmed for the entry-level Superb Ambition 1.8 TSI with seven-speed DSG priced from $42,990, while the range topping Superb Elegance 3.6 V6 with 4x4 starts at just $56,990.

Further specifications will be available at the time of launch.