2009 Skoda Superb range launched
June 25, 2009 by George Skentzos
The next-generation Škoda Superb range has been launched in Australia as the brand’s new flagship model.
The new Superb is said to offer new standards for quality, practicality, design and value with class-leading technology and craftsmanship.
Škoda boasts that its arrival completes the model range where each line now has distinct Škoda design DNA rather than styling cues borrowed from elsewhere.
While offered exclusively as a sedan, it retains the convenience of a wagon as a result of the TwinDoor variable boot opening which can accommodate larger items by lifting the entire boot lid together with the rear window.
This innovation almost doubles the rear loading area, accommodating 565 litres of luggage with the volume increasing to 1,670 litres with the rear seats folded down.
A range of frugal petrol and diesel engines cater for most everyday driving needs and preferences, with each coupled to a DSG transmission as standard.
The entry-level model uses a 1.8 TSI with 118kW and peak torque of 250Nm sent to the front wheels, matched to the latest seven-speed DSG transmission.
The other petrol choice is in the Superb 4×4 which uses a 3.6-litre V6 FSI with 191kW of power and a maximum torque of 350Nm between 2,500 rpm and 5,000 rpm.
Matched to a six-speed DSG transmission, the Superb 4X4 accelerates from zero to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 250km/h.
With 125kW and a maximum torque of 350Nm between 1,750 and 2,500rpm, the 2.0 TDI offers surprising performance with a zero to 100km/h time of 8.8 seconds but also returns a combined fuel consumption figure of just 6.9-litres per 100km when mated to the six-speed DSG.
Škoda Superb Pricing
Superb Ambition 1.8 TSI 118kW DSG – $42,990
Superb Ambition 2.0 TDI 125kW DSG – $45,990
Superb Elegance 1.8 TSI 118kW DSG – $45,990
Superb Elegance 2.0 TDI 125kW DSG – $48,990
Superb Elegance 4×4 V6 3.6 FSI 191kW DSG – $56,990
Print it: 
Will,
Why do YOU think it would be a step up? I just don’t see any logic in that.
It has less room, can’t tow buggerall, V6 has worse fuel consumption than Falcon, is more expensive to buy, insure and repair and has FWD limitations (IMO). Shhhh, but it also has dodgy styling IMO.
In this bracket a Liberty would be a much better buy if you wanted to downsize from a falcodore.
Just curious as to why YOU THINK that this might somehow be a better option.
The falcon is just a bucket of bolts, relying on fleet sales for its survival. Paint it yellow and call it a taxi. Styling…there are a few reasons it would not survive in Europe…it is lump of lard for a start. Lets face, the falcon ain’t no marvel. Ford will be replacing it with the Taurus in a few years…they know. As stated earlier, get over it.
Will, thanks for your reply. I see that you really don’t actually have any reasons, just brand prejudice.
Thanks again.
I really like Skoda, I think the facelift livens up the previous styling by quite abit. I also like the way they manage to make the car roomy, the interior also looks very nicely done.
Sadly though I don’t believe it’s a badge that aussies really get. Most car buyers will find the looks polarising on top of the unfamiliar brand. Majority of car buyers looking to put down 40K+ on a Euro car will overlook this and move onto VW for sure.
For now it seems Skoda is just one of those names that people who likes cars are aware of or care about.
DesignEng Says
“Why do YOU think it would be a step up? I just don’t see any logic in that.”
It has bigger interior, has 4wd, has diesel, better fuel economy, less CO2 output, and is much much better built!!
Plus it looks better, but styling is a personal opinion!!
Nobody, yep I agree, Skoda’s going to struggle to establish itself, despite what it offers. The Superb in particular seems to be lost in a niche all by itself. Unfortunately I don’t think that it’s a niche that really has a market.
Tomas79,
- It is NOT bigger inside. Mate go look at the specs, then look at the real thing. Sure it is roomy but it isn’t anywhere near as big.
- AWD is good, but only with a thirsty V6, and pricey.
- Diesel, fuel economy and low CO2 output variants are FWD shopping carts, but if that’s what you want then OK.
- Better built? Subjective, but lets see how it pans out.
- Styling? Very very subjective, and many don’t like it. As you said personal opinion.
Anyway, thanks for actually giving a considered reply.
“Škoda boasts that its arrival completes the model range where each line now has distinct Škoda design DNA rather than styling cues borrowed from elsewhere.”
Looks more like Chris Bangle has been moonlighting over at the VW group to me. Personally it looks like a BMW morphed with an Audi/VW.
It’s definately interesting in the styling department, and thats not necessarily a bad thing. Compared to the Passat though, it seems to lack the timelessness the VW exudes. The Passat is a handsome car, that will still look good in years to come. The Superb? Well only time will tell.
I’m sure they’re very good cars in there own right but as mentioned previously I think the stigma of the Skoda brand will be hard to shake off (I even heard Hamish and Andy poking fun at them the other week), not too mention that awful name (right up there with Hyundai Trajet – pronounced “Trashay” or something, looks more like “Tragedy” when you’re sitting behind it at the lights). At the end of the day, it’ll take time to build mass appeal for the brand.
Good luck to them though, the Octavia RS Wagon has the goods and i’d have one in a heartbeat if I was in the market for a car like that. I wouldn’t consider this model for a variety of reasons, first and foremost is the name. I don’t think i’d ever live down rolling up at the local in a “Superb”. But I highly doubt I fall into the buyer group that Skoda is looking to appeal too.
Thats my two cents.
PS: Skoda, I love the “eat my hat” marketing, attacking the problem head on in a clever and humourous way, kudos to the marketing dept.
I think the name lets it down. Sure it may do well in continental Europe where a large proportion of the population has minimal English, but to native English speakers it sounds a little bit full of itself.
I think Skoda should work on building their brand from the bottom up. Bring in the Fabia and Yeti and then reassess in a few years.
I like the looks of the new Superb and the quality of VW thrown in but the prices are putting me off. My view is that it’ll be tough to sell the new Superb at prices so close to VW. Ultimately, the discounts will have to come in.
hey man i bought a skoda! you bought a what? skoda. what? sko, da. wtf is that?
As Skoda monthly sales aren’t going so well at all, I’m sure one can do a great deal on these. So I guess for now it might compensate for the prices so close to VW.
Generally doesn’t look bad, but the roof mounted aerial is too high and chunky make the car look cheap. Agree with other comments about the price, just too expensive for a not very welknown brand.I don’t think many people would spend $56000 for a Skoda, unless they are Czech.
What a bland looking thing this is.
It looks like something that was designed by the Koreans in the late 80’s. The c pillar is huge and there’s nothing at all appealing in the design.
A Subaru Liberty is a shitload better looking than this piece of overpriced euro dribble.
Man I can’t wait for the first drive tomorrow, all the crap that’s gonna be said! It’s great to know that my fellow citizens are idiots who have no experience with anything with a Skoda badge on it, therefore they cannot comment until they have! As they say, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, and certainly don’t judge the Superb by photos of it.
It’s not bland. Bland is Camry, Commodore and the like. This won’t sell anywhere near the numbers of the Commodore (maybe if petrol prices go up and up again they will considering even the V6 uses a third less fuel than a V6 Commodore) and therefore it ain’t bland! I don’t think it’s beautiful, but in black with the 18s it has real presence, something the base Comm/Falc can’t match.
For what it is, it’s not particularly expensive (think of it as a Nissan Maxima, a much better value alternative to the usual suspects), and I know over 150 have been sold.
10.0L/100km for a 3.6litre V6 with AWD is thirsty? Are you serious DesignEng? And why are some comparing it to the Passat? I betcha you think ahhhh Skoda owned by VW the Passat is priced the same – the Superb should be priced lower! Wrong! You lot ask for too much! The base Superb vs Passat is stupid, as I said before, as the Superb wins hands down! You don’t even get foglamps until the Passat V6 – $58k, but even that’s standard on the base Superb at $42k!
if i had the money, i would buy this car in a heartbeat…
i like the styling … its understated and quirky at the same time …
i do hope to see some of these on the roads soon!
i would go for the 1.8L Petrol Turbo engine with the DSG. i am unfortunately not much of a diesel man… and the V6 is too big for my needs …
Guys, check this out. Autobild comparison of Audi A4, Seat Exeo, VW Passat and Skoda Superb. Guess who won…
http://www.autobild.de/autobil.....ip_id=1391
Is the 1.8T the same as the VW Polo GTI?
Post Removed (Incorrect Article)
PoGo,
Yes it is the same engine, but it has more power/torque.
Alan,
Thanks for that post, quite a good review there. Of course it won with competitors like that! They’re all VW Group cars! The Superb won a limo test against the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW 730d and Audi A6 by having better rear legroom!
Looks good to me (has a kinda KGB menace about it)
Is much better built than Passat ( I know I have spent 3 years in a Passat and it is rubbish )
Is less sterile inside than an Audi but feels almost of equal quality.
Is much bigger than Falcodore inside (except width which is a little smaller) in the back it feels like a Statesman.
Is too expensive full stop.
“Agree with other comments about the price, just too expensive for a not very welknown brand.”
If Australians can justify spending $150k on a glorified taxi… *cough* W427, or even $59k on a Calais V with bad plastics and a pushrod engine with the world’s clunkiest 6-speed auto, then many will see the value equation the Skoda Superb range offers.
You guys are where we were a few years ago re attitude toward this brand. Superb is getting rave reviews in Europe Vs all sorts of competition & we are more familiar with the brand & can see the value WITH quality it represents. In a few years your comments will sound a bit anachronistic mark my words…
For the record the test vs the Bentley wasn’t a limo test but an overall luxury test – the BMW has more legroom anyway. It won on refinement, ride quality and space – price wasn’t the reason it won – it won on these terms.
Thus comparing it to a Passat isn’t really saying much.
I don’t have one – I didn’t like its backside. last company car list we had consisted of BMW 3 series, A4, Merc C class etc and the Superb. Tested them all thoroughly and the Superb was better than all of them except the BM and Merc handled corners slightly better being rear wheel drive.
It used to be fashionable to deride Skoda – now people stay quiet as it marks them out as someone who shows his ignorance of the market.
In a few years you will see many more of these on your roads I have no doubt.