Škoda Auto has further refined the design of its flagship ICE model and reinterpreted signature design elements such as the Škoda grille. The all-new Superb Combi estate also comes with second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights featuring the brand’s hallmark crystalline elements, which also adorn the newly slimmed down LED tail lights. Body modifications such as a more steeply raked windscreen and a more streamlined roofline have improved aerodynamics by 15 per cent over the predecessor. Thanks to an increase in length by 40 millimetres the new Superb Combi is now also more spacious than ever. The all-new Superb Combi estate now comes with a striking, new octagonal Škoda grille design. Its frame is finished in Unique Dark Chrome, just like the Škoda logo on the bonnet, the front apron’s decorative trim strips and the lettering on the tailgate. The brand’s hallmark crystalline elements also adorn Škoda’s new flagship ICE model, for example in the slimmed-down LED tail lights. In the optional top variant, these include an animated Coming/Leaving Home function (standard on L&K). The second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights (standard on L&K) deliver even more light than their predecessors with the new Crystallinium element lending them a dash of turquoise colour for a distinctive flair. Two headlamp modules arranged side by side contain a bi-LED module for full beam and dipped beam and an inner Matrix beam module with a total of 36 light segments. The static cornering light also has a crystal-like design, and underneath, a slender LED strip serves as the position light, daytime running light and indicator, creating a distinctive light signature. An all-weather light mode takes over the role of the fog lights.
A spacious, clean design and the new range structure with Design Selections define the interior of the Škoda Superb Combi estate. The free-standing infotainment display measuring up to 13 inches – a first for the Superb – immediately catches the eye, just like the intuitive Škoda Smart Dials. For the first time, customers can complement the 10-inch Virtual Cockpit with an optional head-up display. All textiles, including the headliner, contain recycled materials. There are three trim levels available for the new Superb, each comes with different Design Selections. These are complemented by themed option packages and further individualisation possibilities. The basic Essence trim level includes the Studio Design Selection, while the Selection trim level offers the Design Selections Loft, Lounge, Suite Black and Suite Cognac. The Superb Combi L&K comes with the Design Selections Suite Black and Suite Cognac, featuring specific details such as embroidered L&K lettering. The overall impression in the interior is dominated by the newly designed centre console. With the selector lever moved to the steering column, the new centre console adds to an enhanced sense of space. The new Phone Box, which comes as standard for the Selection trim level and above, now enables fast inductive smartphone charging at 15 watts while also ventilating the phone during the charging process.
With a drag coefficient of cd 0.25, the aerodynamic efficiency of the all-new Superb Combi has improved by 15 per cent over its predecessor, making it the most aerodynamic estate car Škoda has ever developed. Modifications include a more steeply raked windscreen, a more streamlined roofline, an elongated roof spoiler with side finlets and redesigned exterior mirrors. These are complemented by aerodynamically refined wheels and a front bumper with air curtains, optimised air intakes and separation edges on the taillight and rear bumper. An electrically operated active shutter behind the central front air intake regulates the airflow as needed to keep the engine at its ideal temperature. Another active feature is automatically adjusted front brake cooling. This takes advantage of the airflow from the radiator fan. Optimised deflectors ahead of the front wheels and upgraded underbody covers further improve the airflow under the vehicle. The Škoda Superb Combi estate has grown by 40 millimetres in length and 5 millimetres in height. Luggage capacity has increased by 30 litres over the predecessor. Headroom in the interior has grown as well. Škoda offers a total of six metallic and two solid colours. Six of these colours are new: the solid colour Purity White and the metallic finishes Pebble Silver, Ebony Black, Cobalt Blue, Carmine Red and Ice Tea Yellow. Energy Blue and Graphite Grey metallic remain in the portfolio. The range of standard alloy wheels extends from the silver 16-inch Sagitta basic wheels to optional 19-inch wheels.
For the first time in the Superb, the central infotainment display is a free-standing unit. A handrest makes it easy and comfortable to use the touchscreen, which measures 10 inches, or optionally 13 inches in combination with the navigation function. The menu structure offers three basic menu icons: “Home”, “Car” and “App”. From Selection trim level upwards, a head-up display is available as an option for the first time. It projects navigation, cruise control/predictive speed limiter, traffic sign recognition and lane assist information into the driver’s field of vision. A 10-inch Virtual Cockpit comes as standard. The multifunctional Škoda Smart Dials have a textured surface in Unique Dark Chrome and combine haptic and digital elements for particularly easy and intuitive operation. The three dials can be turned and pressed to control various vehicle functions. Each Smart Dial also has a 32 millimetre digital display. The two outer Smart Dials for the driver and front passenger control the interior temperature, seat heating and seat ventilation. The activated function is shown on the display and changes when the control is pressed. The centre Smart Dial controls up to four functions selected by the user from the following six: infotainment volume, fan speed, air direction, smart air conditioning, driving modes or map zoom. The central Smart Dial can be configured by pressing and holding. A settings menu for configuring the central control’s functions appears on the infotainment display. A short press of each knob confirms the selected functions. Any adjustments to the configured functions are made by turning each Smart Dial.
In addition to the Superb Combi iV, three petrol engines and two diesels are available. All are mated to a 7-speed DSG. The entry-level 1.5 TSI petrol engine is the first in the model series to feature mild-hybrid technology with a closed system consisting of a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery. The battery is located under the front passenger seat. Energy recovered during braking supports the internal combustion engine with an electric boost or allows the vehicle to coast with the engine completely switched off. In addition, ACT+ active cylinder deactivation enables the 1.5 TSI to switch off two cylinders when their power is not needed. This is imperceptible to the passengers and reduces fuel consumption. The 142 kW (193 hp) top-of-the-range diesel and the 195 kW (265 hp) petrol range-topper are equipped with all-wheel drive as standard. This distributes power between the front and rear axles as well as between the individual wheels. Up to 100 per cent of the drive torque can be directed to the rear axle and as much as 85 per cent to a single wheel. Moreover, all engines come with a 66-litre fuel tank, ensuring a long range. The DCC Plus adaptive chassis control system offers an outstanding blend of increased comfort and improved dynamic driving behaviour. The new system utilises two independently controlled valves per shock absorber instead of a single one. This allows the rebound and compression stages to be controlled separately. In addition, the dampers respond more quickly and extend the range of available damping characteristics. DCC Plus is available as an option for the Selection trim level and above, as part of the Drive Plus Package, and comes as standard on the Superb L&K.
The all-new Superb will later this year integrate the AI-based ChatGPT software into its infotainment system, significantly expanding the functionality of the digital voice assistant Laura. In addition, the flagship ICE model offers extensive remote access to convenient online services using the latest version of the MyŠkoda smartphone app. The ChatGPT software is based on artificial intelligence (AI), enabling the digital voice assistant Laura to answer general knowledge questions, in addition to controlling the vehicle’s infotainment, navigation and air conditioning systems. Thanks to AI, the range of answers to even more complex questions will continue to grow. In future, customers will be able to add interesting facts to conversations during a journey, clarify questions that come up, and access specific facts about the vehicle. In this context, ChatGPT does not gain access to any vehicle information or personal data. All interactions are subsequently deleted to ensure maximum data protection. The Superb’s infotainment system will again feature Online Map Update and Online Traffic Information. The new Pay to Fuel app enables drivers to pay via the car’s infotainment system at selected petrol stations. This feature is currently available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Pay to Park shows free parking spaces in the MyŠkoda app on the smartphone or, with the corresponding infotainment app, on the vehicle display. It guides the driver to the location and enables them to make the payment.
The new Škoda Superb Combi estate is available with six different powertrains with outputs ranging from 110 kW (150 hp) to 195 kW (265 hp). Three petrol engines, including a 1.5 TSI now benefiting from mild-hybrid technology, are joined by two diesels. The Superb Combi iV features a second-generation plug-in hybrid drive that enables an all-electric range of more than 100 kilometres as well as DC charging. All models come with DSG. All wheel drive is standard on the top diesel and the top petrol model. The improved DCC Plus adaptive chassis control now supports an even wider range of damping characteristics. In the second-generation plug-in hybrid drive, Škoda now combines the electric motor with a 110 kW (150 hp) 1.5 TSI petrol engine, for a joint system output of 150 kW (204 hp). This power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 6-speed DSG. Another new feature is the high-voltage battery with a gross capacity of 25.7 kWh, around twice as much as in the predecessor model. As a result, the vehicle’s all-electric range increases by 40 kilometres to more than 100 kilometres on the WLTP cycle. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 2.5 hours, with a maximum charging rate of 11 kW at domestic wallboxes and AC charging points. For DC charging, the maximum charging rate is 50 kW. (The value for the customer-relevant charging process is 40 kW, determined in accordance with DIN 70080.) Recharging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent takes just 25 minutes. The PHEV’s fuel tank for the petrol engine has a capacity of 45 litres.
Škoda Auto has further enhanced the safety of its flagship ICE model with a new generation of sensors and state-of-the-art assistance systems. Turn Assist, Crossroad Assist and Collision Avoidance Assist are making their debut as part of the enhanced Front Assist, while the Travel Assist, Side Assist and Trailer Assist have all seen their scope significantly expanded. If needed, Crew Protect Assist and up to ten airbags protect the occupants. For the first time ever, Škoda is using new nano radar sensors in its all-new Superb Combi estate. Positioned in the right and left corners of the front apron, they again enhance the performance of the state-of-the-art assistance systems, such as the enhanced Front Assist or the Crossroad Assist. This assistance system alerts drivers to crossing traffic, cyclists and pedestrians when driving forward to negotiate a blind exit from a driveway or side street and even brakes automatically if required. The improved multifunction camera in the windscreen now has a larger field of vision. Its images are also used by the latest version of the Turn Assist. It reacts with a warning and, if necessary, automatically activates the brakes if there is a vehicle approaching when turning in the face of oncoming traffic at a junction. The Front Assist, which now also includes Predictive Cyclist Protection, accesses images from the new camera. The nano radar sensors in the rear apron increase the range of the Side Assist, which now detects vehicles approaching from up to 90 metres behind instead of the previous 70 metres and warns of dangerous lane changes. The Exit Warning alerts drivers to traffic approaching from behind before a door is opened. It covers a range of 35 metres and an angle of 120 degrees. The new Swerve Support is active at speeds between 30 and 140 km/h to help prevent car-to-car collisions and at 30 to 85 km/h to avoid accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. It automatically increases the steering angle when it detects that the driver’s steering response has come too late or is insufficient to avoid a collision.
