After a long series of teasers and previews, the 2015 Skoda Superb has finally been unveiled in full. The third-generation Superb brings the brand to new heights, with improved aesthetics and technologies both inside and out.
Visually, it's largely a toned-down interpretation of the Skoda VisionC concept that was shown almost exactly one year ago. It gets a prominent grille flanked by sharp headlights with plenty of dynamic lines and contours to appear wide and elegant. It's dressed lean and sharp, this Czech flagship.
Underneath the metal lies the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, with a wheelbase that's 80 mm longer than in the outgoing model. This means an even bigger interior, which is already the current car's strongest feature. Cabin dimensions have grown in all directions, and Skoda claims the rear legroom is "about twice as much as in the nearest competitor."
The boot has grown by another 30 litres too, now rated at 625 litres. Again, that's a best-in-class figure. The tailgate itself is now a one-piece item, though, abandoning the clever but unnecessarily heavy Twindoor system of the old car. Compared to before, the Superb is now 75 kg lighter.
Now, on to the technologies on offer. The Superb offers Skoda's first adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system with Driving Mode Select. A three-zone automatic climate control is available, as are a panoramic roof, LTE-capable internet connection and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system can be controlled from the rear seats too.
Other highlights include an umbrella in each of the front doors (as opposed to just one in the current car's kerbside rear door), contactless electric boot opening, a 12-speaker, 610 Watt Canton Sound System and a tablet holder in the rear cabin. Weirdly enough, there's also an ice scraper in the fuel filler flap.
Powering the new Superb is a choice of five TSI petrol (between 125 hp to 280 hp) and three TDI turbodiesel (120 hp to 190 hp) engines driving either the front or all wheels. Stop-Start technology and brake energy recovery are standard on all models, and fuel economy improvement of up to 30% is claimed.
On the safety front, seven airbags are fitted as standard, with two extra rear side airbags offered as options. Also available as cost extras are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Emergency Assist (auto braking), Blind Spot Detect with Rear Traffic Alert and Smart Light Assist (adaptive high beam).
There's absolutely no doubting, then, that Skoda has upped its game with this new Superb, featuring plenty of class-first and best-in-class features. Skoda says it's its best car ever. Superb is more than just what it's called, it seems.
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