New Skoda Superb grows in size and turns up the style

The wraps have come off the fourth-generation Skoda Superb – with the brand focusing on on style, sustainability and better efficiency.

Although the look features the brand’s Modern Solid design language, it’s an evolution from previous models. The traditional, long bonnet flows into an octagonal grille that dips in the centre to allow for a larger Skoda badge to sit flush. The grille is flanked by slimmer headlights featuring the latest Matrix LED technology, delivering 40 per cent more light.

The windscreen rake now features a shallower angle, while the roofline has been streamlined and the A-pillars get rain deflectors – all making the Superb’s shape more slippery than ever, aiding efficiency.

The dark chrome trim around the grille is repeated on the bumper’s lower section (where air curtains now feature) and around the window line, while the creases on the bonnet and flanks look sharper than ever.

At the back, the rear lights are slimmer, too, but still feature a C-shaped graphic that runs into the tailgate. Audi-style scrolling indicators are available on top-spec cars, and alloy wheels are standard on every model with sizes from 17 to 19-inches.

Although you’d be hard-pushed to tell, both hatch and Estate are slightly longer and taller than before, boosting interior space. Boot space has grown, too – up 20 litres (to 645 litres) for the hatch and by 30 litres (690 litres) for the Estate, which can grow to 1,920 litres with the seats folded.

The cabin design is much more revolutionary, though, with the touchscreen growing to a sizeable 13 inches on top models (10 inches on lesser cars) and sitting proud of the dash – with Skoda being smart enough to place a hand rest just underneath. The 10-inch Virtual Cockpit in front of the driver also sits slightly proud, although there’s still a cowl over the top.

Thankfully, Skoda isn’t totally reliant on the touchscreen to do everything; the Superb gets three classy-looking Smart Dials – as seen on the latest Kodiaq SUV – that control heating and ventilation, and can be customised to work everything from volume to the different driving modes.

As you’d expect, there’s connectivity for both Apple and Android users, although somebody at Skoda has clearly experienced their phone overheating on a wireless charging pad; there’s a cooling device within the car’s new Phone Box, part of Skoda’s Simply Clever solutions – of which there are 28 new ones in the latest Superb.

There is also a host of new driver assistance systems available in the Superb to help keep everyone safe – we counted nine, from Crew Protect Assist to Travel Assist and Intelligent Park Assist.

Ergo seats – with a 10-point massage function in some cars – feature sustainable materials, as do all textiles inside the car. And there’s more choice than ever when it comes to options – either individually or as part of Design Selections, which bundle certain items together in packs.

On the engine front, Skoda is bucking the trend by avoiding a fully-electric Superb and offering – wait for it – two diesel versions instead. The range starts with a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol with 148bhp, however, followed by two 2.0-litre petrols with either 201bhp or 262bhp – the latter with four-wheel drive. The two 2.0-litre diesels get 148bhp or 190bhp – again the more powerful unit features all-wheel drive Every Superb now comes with a DSG automatic gearbox, operated by a column-mounted shifter to free space on the centre console.

Topping the range is a new plug-in hybrid Superb iV model that pairs the 1.5 petrol engine with an electric motor for combined output of 201bhp. However, it’s the bigger 25.7kWh battery that’s the story here, allowing the iV to do over 60 miles on electricity alone, with a 10-80 per cent charge on a 50kW charger taking 25 mins. We’ve yet to see CO2 figures, but expect strong BiK tax savings on this model.

Full pricing should be announced before the end of the year, with the range expected to start from around £35,000 – up from today’s £32,605 starting price. The order books open in January for the estate, followed by the estate iV and hatch in April. First deliveries should start from mid-year.

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