2009 Skoda Superb

[NOS2006]

Skoda has released images of its Superb sedan ahead of the car's Geneva Motor Show debut in March. Based on the Volkswagen Passat, the next-generation Superb will feature a more unique design theme than the current model.

Compared to previous Superb, the new model is 35 mm longer and 18 mm wider. However, the car's height has been decreased by 8 mm and its wheelbase has shrunk by 42 mm.

The sedan will be available with six different VW engine: three gasoline units and three diesels. Power will range from 105 horsepower to 260. Transmissions choices will include a range of manuals as well as VW's dual-clutch automatic.

The Superb's list of equipment includes adaptive cornering headlamps, a new electronic air conditioning system, automatic parking assist and nine airbags.

The Skoda Superb will hit the European market in the second half of 2008 and will be built in the Czech Republic.

For full article, see http://www.leftlanenews.com/skoda-superb.html

[NOS2006]

What type of vehicle is Skoda? Is it like a Buick? Is it cheaper?

Either way adaptive cornering lamps, that many engine choices, and electronic air conditioning sound really nice.

[Satty]

Last I knew, Skoda was owned by VW, and their models were typically larger in size than their VW counterparts while being less expensive. I like the design, other than the Milennia grille.

[ZL-1]

Why is it that the rear-end reminds me of Renault?

Skoda's pretty much VW Group's 'value brand'.

Edited January 9, 2008 by ZL-1

[Drew Dowdell]

Remember back in august when I had been up for 36 hours straight, had just arrived in germany and was keeping myself awake with redbull and earl gray.....

yeah... I see Skodas as Buicks

[NOS2006]

That's one bloated, cross-eyed Buick.

[Z-06]

What type of vehicle is Skoda? Is it like a Buick? Is it cheaper?

Either way adaptive cornering lamps, that many engine choices, and electronic air conditioning sound really nice.

Cheaper. Skoda Superb is not a bad car to have.

[thegriffon]

And an American-style midsize sedan rather than the smaller European standard.

[pow]

Cheaper. Skoda Superb is not a bad car to have.

And an American-style midsize sedan rather than the smaller European standard.

Which makes this an arguably more appropriate midsize family car for the US market. Larger and cheaper. And if anything, maybe more reliable, as Czech-made Octavias have apparently been more reliable than German-made Golfs.

[Z-06]

Which makes this an arguably more appropriate midsize family car for the US market. Larger and cheaper. And if anything, maybe more reliable, as Czech-made Octavias have apparently been more reliable than German-made Golfs.

Octavias are great automobiles. I found them surprisingly well to drive. The one I drove was a tad bit underpowered, but the 5-speed was effortless. It was a fun vehicle to drive. Quality was not shabby, in some ways better than a Bumdai or Kua.

On a note, since VW is in dumps for their US operations, they should bring Skoda brand here and retail through their dealerships.

[thegriffon]

Octavias are great automobiles. I found them surprisingly well to drive. The one I drove was a tad bit underpowered, but the 5-speed was effortless. It was a fun vehicle to drive. Quality was not shabby, in some ways better than a Bumdai or Kua.

On a note, since VW is in dumps for their US operations, they should bring Skoda brand here and retail through their dealerships.

It's been on the To Do list for several years. Skoda is VW's fastest growing brand, but they have been targeting growth markets such as Russia, China and India first. They have just appeared down under (easier than the US). While a few models are still cheap they are now priced similar to most mainstream models, if a little cheaper than a comparable VW. Originally (pre-communism) they were a luxury brand, and they have some ambitions to regain a premium image. Unfortunately the Superb has probably been too big for the European market, and was in danger of being dropped.

[Sixty8panther]

Skodas were cooler when they were all rear engined & RWD.

[Robert Hall]

Interesting..they've definitely diverged from the previous design..the last one looked quite a bit like the previous Passat, which I think it may have been based on..

[thegriffon]

This one is based even more closely on the Passat.

[regfootball]

the design is pretty superb if you ask me

[NOS2006]

the design is pretty superb if you ask me

Well aren't you clever...

Edited January 10, 2008 by NOS2006

[pow]

Apparently it's both a hatchback and a sedan: you can either open the trunklid or the entire tailgate.

I'm getting a 1980s-Me-Generation-yuppie-Saab vibe...

... but I still think it fits the needs of US buyers better than the Passat.

[Croc]

Agreed with most above. This should be here.

[ocnblu]

Interesting, Old World styling details. Those old Skodas were pretty cool, though.

[Polish_Kris]

Well aren't you clever...

Actually, when I was in Poland I remember it was pronounced as "SUPER B".

[Guest aatbloke]

What type of vehicle is Skoda? Is it like a Buick? Is it cheaper?

Either way adaptive cornering lamps, that many engine choices, and electronic air conditioning sound really nice.

Skoda is Volkswagen's Czech-based "budget" arm, so to speak, although their models are more pricey than they's used to be. They have a number of models which for the most part use VW platforms, while all models use VW engines and running gear. The Superb is closely related to the Passat, although this latest version is designed to look like a three-box sedan while using a clever combination boot lid/hatchback system.

[MyerShift]

Skodas are rather interesting now and, as noted, tend to be more reliable than their German-built platform-mates (!).

My favourite so far is the Roomster which is a small family hatch kinda thingy. I know it's weird as all get out, but it's efficient and freaky.

Their concept Joyster is based on the GTI's mechanicals (yes I know, Mk. V Golf= TT, A3, Jetta, Golf, Golf Plus, Passat, and various SEATs and Skodas) so would be more of a hot hatch.

Edited April 8, 2008 by MyerShift