Automotive Review

Sharp is the new cool seems to be mantra for VW and all the brands under its umbrella. This philosophy has found its way into the external and internal language of not just VW cars but all the other manufacturers as well. While it has left them looking very similar, what we have got are sharp and modern designs. One car that appears to reflect this well is the 2016 Skoda Superb which has now been seem sans camouflage. It is expected to be launched next summer which means that it will come to India by the end of 2015.
Exterior
The pictures reveal that the 2016 Skoda Superb is longer and wider than the current car. It has a design influenced by the Vision C concept which was unveiled earlier this year. However, what we can also see is that Skoda is keeping much of the overall design from the current car. The fascia gets a new bumper, revised Skoda proprietary grille and a larger hood which we suspect has been extended for a larger set of engines. The lines have now moved from slightly rounded to completely angular.
Moving over to the side, we can see that the car has retained a lot of the current car’s shape but the roof line has been lowered slightly. When we do a side to side comparison with the B8 Passat, the lines are very similar right down to the flare of wheel arches as well as the larger wheels.
The rear end looks slightly different from the Passat and more in line with the current car. The crease around the boot lid now appears to be more prominent and looks to be lacking the chrome strip at the bottom. However, this is likely to be case only for the European markets.
Interior
The Superb is expected to get the same cabin design and elements as the B8 Passat but with the obvious changes in fabric tones, badges and graphics for the touchscreen display. The cabin is expected to have lesser buttons in a bid to de-clutter the look. Standard features are expected to include-two zone climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, electric adjustment for front seats, rear AC vent and leather upholstery for top-spec models. We also believe that with this model Skoda may start offering a rear seat entertainment package.
Engine and gearbox
The Superb is expected to be offered with the same set of engines as the current car. On the petrol front, the engine will be the 1.8-TSI which produces 158bhp and 250Nm of torque while the diesel on the other hand is the 2.0-litre TDI which produces 138bhp and 320Nm of torque. Gearboxes are expected to include the six-speed MT, seven-speed AT both of which send power to the front wheels. Skoda is also expected to include an AWD option in the higher spec models.
Price and competition
The 2016 Superb is expected to be priced significantly higher than the current model as it is a completely new vehicle and comes fitted with a host of new technologies. When launched, it will rival the VW Passat, Honda Accord, Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.