Skoda Superb The History

SKODA SUPERB THE HISTORY

THE CURRENT ŠKODA SUPERB IS A LARGE FAMILY/EXECUTIVE CAR THAT HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE CZECH CAR MANUFACTURER ŠKODA AUTO SINCE 2001.

THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE MODERN SUPERB, PRODUCED FROM 2001 TO 2008, WAS BASED ON THE VW B5 PL45+ PLATFORM. THE SECOND GENERATION SUPERB USED THE B6 A6/PQ46 AND WAS INTRODUCED IN 2008. THE THIRD, AND CURRENT, GENERATION USING THE MQB PLATFORM, ENTERED PRODUCTION IN 2015. IT IS CURRENTLY THE FLAGSHIP MODEL IN ŠKODA'S MODEL RANGE. First generation (B5, Typ 3U; 2001–2008) The first generation of the modern Škoda Superb used the Volkswagen Group B5 PL45+ platform from the 1999 Shanghai–Volkswagen Passat B5 LWB, whose wheelbase is 10 cm (3.9 in) longer than the standard Passat B5. In 2005, Shanghai Volkswagen imported the Superb B5, rebadging it as the Volkswagen Passat Lingyu.

In 2009, one year after Škoda Superb B5 had been discontinued in Europe, the facelifted SVW Passat Lingyu was unveiled in China. In 2011, SVW Passat Lingyu was discontinued, succeeded by SVW Passat NMS. Several petrol and diesel internal combustion engines are shared with the rest of the Volkswagen Group range; and like the B5 Passat and B6/B7 Audi A4 which use the same automobile platform, they are mounted at the front, and orientated longitudinally.

The base model, the 'Classic', included the 1.9 litre inline four cylinder (I4) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel producing 74 kilowatts (101 PS; 99 bhp), or a 2.0 litre petrol inline four rated at 85 kW (116 PS; 114 bhp). The 'Comfort' and 'Elegance' models offered with a 1.8 twenty valve Turbo petrol I4 rated at 119 kW (162 PS; 160 bhp), or either a 142 kW (193 PS; 190 bhp) V6 2.8 litre petrol engine, or a 2.5 litre V6 TDI rated at 120 kW (163 PS; 161 bhp).

Transmissions included a five speed or a six speed manual gearbox, or a ZF sourced five speed tiptronic automatic. In addition to the 1.9 litre "Pumpe Düse" (PD) Unit Injector engine, the Superb eventually gained the 103 kW (140 PS; 138 bhp) 2.0 litre TDI. The Superb received a minor facelift in August 2006 incorporating Škoda's new radiator grille, headlights, side repeater indicators integrated into the door mirrors, and C-shaped tail lights in the style of Škoda Roomster and latest Škoda Octavia.

An interior redesign completed the upgrades. A 'Laurin and Klement' model became the top of the range, replacing the 'Elegance' model. A range of new engines was introduced and the interior featured real wood as part of some trim levels. The 'Comfort', 'Elegance' and 'Laurin & Klement' models feature an umbrella stowed in the rear door panel. Škoda considered an estate version of the Superb, but it never proceeded to production. The reason it wasn't put in production was that Volkswagen feared that an estate would take too much market share from its own Passat Variant and Audi's A6 Avant. When the Superb was released in the United Kingdom, the most expensive variant was priced at only £1,000 more than the cheapest Jaguar X-Type.

Second generation (B6, Typ 3T; 2008–2015)

An all new Škoda Superb (B6, Typ 3T) was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March 2008.

Based on a stretched version of the latest A5 Octavia platform, the Volkswagen Group A6 PQ46, this Superb is a five door five seat liftback, with an innovative rear door that can double as a regular separate sedan trunk, and full liftback, known as 'Twindoor'.

Being based on the Octavia A5 platform, this Superb now uses a transverse engine layout. A Superb Combi – five door estate with 633 litres in the boot – was presented to the press in June 2009, and debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009.

When launched, petrol engine options included four Volkswagen Group sourced units; consisting of an entry-level 92 kilowatts (125 PS; 123 hp) 1.4 litre inline four cylinder (I4) TFSI (with a turbocharger and Fuel Stratified Injection), and a 118 kW (160 PS; 158 hp) 1.8 litre I4 TFSI. The flagship 3.6 litre 191 kW (260 PS; 256 hp) FSI VR6 engine (a detuned version of that fitted in the Passat R36) comes with fourwheel drive and six speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG). The ŠKODA Superb 3,6 FSI 4x4 has a top speed 250 km/h and acceleration of 0–100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.

Diesel engine options included 2.0 litre I4 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) with Pumpe-Düse injection which was rated at 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 2.0 litre I4 TDI 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) with common rail, and a 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) 1.9 litre I4 TDI available also for the Greenline version with reduced fuel consumption.

In 2010, the engine range was updated. The car was now available with a 147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp) 2.0 litre TFSI petrol four cylinder.

Changes in diesel offer included two switches: 103 kW two litre with Pumpe-Düse injection was replaced with common rail engine; the 77 kW 1.9 litre PD unit was replaced with 1.6 litre common rail engine of the same power.

Transmissions include five and six speed manual gearboxes, and the popular automatic Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) with either six or seven speeds, as an option on almost all engine/trim combinations.

Add to the front wheel drive, the Superb and Superb Combi were available with all wheel drive with fourth generation Haldex clutch.

The wheels were choice of 16", 17" and 18".

Trim levels available in the majority of Europe were named the 'Comfort', 'Ambition', 'Elegance', 'Greenline', 'Exclusive' and 'Laurin & Klement' (May 2012) – with Laurin & Klement being top of the range. In the United Kingdom, the levels available were 'S', 'SE', 'Elegance', 'Laurin & Klement' and 'Greenline'.

For the Superb was available extensive list of standard and extras, incl. bi xenon headlamps with AFS, front/rear proximity sensors, automatic park assist system, tyre pressure monitoring system, navigation system with large 6.5" colour touch screen display and 30 GB hard drive, television broadcast receiver, electrically adjustable seat and mirrors, rain sensor, sunroof with solar panels that allow circulation of air in parked car, front/rear heated seats, ventilated front seats upholstered in leather. For the Superb Combi a large tilt/slide two piece panoramic sunroof was an option.

Selected acknowledgements 2009: Luxury Car of the Year in 2009 by Top Gear Magazine 2009: Towcar of the Year 2009, and Class Winner 2010 (over 1800kg AWD Category) by UK Caravan Club 2012: Best imported car survey in the German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport 2012: Highest score in the JD Power customer satisfaction study (UK) in the mid-size segment 2011-13: Best-Value Family Car in Australian Money magazine

Facelift In April 2013, Ĺ koda unveiled a facelifted Superb in Shanghai. It was released for sale in the European market in June 2013. Updated exterior design features Ĺ koda new design language elements. Headlights are fitted with integrated LED daylight running lights; diodes are standard for tail lights, too. The Twindoor opening mechanism was changed in order to provide easier operation: one button opens just the lid, while the other opens whole tailgate.

Up to now, one button was dedicated just for opening, while the other had shifting function. With the facelift, a combination of all wheel drive and DSG automatic transmission appeared on offer for the 125 kW two litre diesel engine. Starting from January 2014, design Outdoor package is available for the Superb Combi.

List of feature was slightly expanded, too. Facelifted Superb received latest generation of Automatic Parking Assistant: add to parallel parking (entering/exiting the spot), the system is capable of perpendicular parking (just entering the spot).[13] From now on, the passengers in the rear seats can adjust the passenger seat from the back. The electrical control is located on the side of the passenger seat near the centre console and is thus easy to operate from the back. Passengers in the rear can move the front seat forward and back and adjust the seat height and angle.

Third generation (B8, Typ 3V; 2015–present) The third generation Superb, (using the MQB platform), was announced in February 2015 in time for the Geneva Motor Show, with volume production intended to start in the middle of the year.

The new model is larger than the second generation. The Škoda Superb appeared in the Tour de France as a Referee car.

The new generation of direct injection turbocharged engines consisting of four cylinder units, was to include five petrol engines ranging in size from 1.4 to 2.0 litres, and three diesels of 1.6 or 2.0 litres. The Škoda Superb 2.0 TSI 4x4 206 kW is currently Škoda's fastest production car, with a top speed of 250 km/h and acceleration of 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.

Dealer deliveries of the liftback began in June 2015, with the estate wagon followed in September.

In the United Kingdom, the trim levels available were named the 'S', 'SE', 'SE Technology', 'SE L Executive', 'SportLine' and 'Laurin & Klement', with Laurin & Klement being top of the range. As of 2016, price ranges from £19,060, to the most luxurious L&K trim with all equipment for £42,385.

The Superb received very positive reviews in all foreign tests. British newspaper The Telegraph rated the new Superb with an overall rating of 9/10, Autocar 4/5, Top Gear 8/10, Auto Express 5/5, and in the German magazine Auto Bild, the Superb received 588 points. The Superb has also scored highly in Australia, where Car Advice awarded an overall rating of 9/10 highlighting key areas of value for money, features, performance and cabin space where the car has excelled. The Superb also defeated its rivals, in AutoBild test the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E220 CDI) and in Auto Express the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI. The Škoda Superb was also awarded the title of Car of the Year in the Czech Republic and in Macedonia.

It also became the 2016 World Car of the Year finalist, the best compact executive car and estate car in 2016 on What Car? (the United Kingdom’s leading car buying website) and the Auto Express Family Car of the Year 2016.

ARTICLE SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA IMAGE SOURCE: THOMSON SKODA NEW SUPERB MODELS