Skoda has refreshed its flagship model in India in line with its current family design language
Skoda India cars are getting a new look. First came the new Octavia in late 2013 and now the Czech carmaker has launched the facelifted Superb at Rs 18.87 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. These two cars will be followed by the Yeti facelift later in the year and finally the refreshed Rapid by the end of 2014.
The refreshed Superb gets new headlights, taillights and new front and rear bumper design as well. Giving the Superb Skoda’s new design language treatment is the grille and the new Skoda Logo. It also gets a new bonnet design with creases extending towards the windscreen from the logo. The new Superb gets redesigned front fenders to go with the new front-end design and completing the refresh package are the new 16 inch alloy wheels.
The Superb will come with a choice of one petrol and one diesel engine. The petrol is a 1.8-litre, direct injection, turbocharged one with 160PS of max power. And it comes with the option of a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual clutch automatic depending on the trim you choose. The Diesel engine is the same 2-litre, four-cylinder unit that also powers the new Octavia. It develops a max power output of 140PS, but more importantly, has a healthy peak torque output of 320Nm. The diesel engine will be sold with the 6-speed dual clutch gearbox.
There’s plenty of kit on offer – 8 airbags, adaptive headlamps, hill hold - which is a boon when you have to start on a gradient, ABS, ESP and tyre pressure monitoring among safety features. For comfort and luxury, the Superb has dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery and 12-way adjustable driver’s seat. The Superb will be sold in two trims – Ambition and Elegance for both the petrol and diesel engines and only in Elegance trim for the 7-speed DCT petrol model. Ambition gets all the kit except ESP and tyre pressure monitoring on the safety front. It also gets standard headlights to the Bi-Xenons on the Elegance, and doesn’t feature keyless entry and start, electric sunroof, hill hold, Bluetooth connectivity and 12-way adjustable driver seat.
The Superb’s only direct competition in the country at present is the Toyota Camry. Honda recently discontinued the Accord and Volkswagen too stopped taking orders for the Passat. So it’s pretty much a free run for Skoda as the Superb is already a popular car in its segment and now faces barely any competition among luxury sedans in the Rs 20-30 lakh bracket. SUVs like the Fortuner and the recently launched new Santa Fe do pose a threat to the new Superb. It also punches above its weight taking the fight to the trio of German luxury carmakers at its price-point and for the discerning luxury car buyer, the Superb does make a strong case for itself.
Skoda Superb prices (Ex-showroom Delhi):
Ambition 1.8 TSI MT - Rs 18,87,000
Elegance 1.8 TSI MT - Rs 20,65,000
Elegance 1.8 TSI AT - Rs 22,27,000
Ambition 2.0 TDI AT - Rs 23,43,000
Elegance 2.0 TDI AT - Rs 25,20,000
SLIDESHOW:
0 comments: