The Škoda Superb is a mid-size/large family car/compact executive car (D-segment) 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 generation using the MQB platform entered production in 2015. The fourth and current generation was unveiled on 2023 and it is based on a stretched version of the MQB Evo platform.
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First generation (B5, Typ 3U; 2001)
History In 2001, Škoda Auto presented the Montreux concept car at the Geneva International Motor Show, with the production version being released the same year as the Superb.
The first generation of the modern Škoda Superb was based on the 1999 Shanghai–Volkswagen Passat B5 LWB, which has a longer wheelbase than the standard Passat B5 and used the Volkswagen Group B5 PL45+ platform. In 2005, Shanghai-Volkswagen imported the Superb, rebadging it as the Volkswagen Passat Lingyu.
In 2009, one year after the B5 generation had been discontinued in Europe, the facelifted Volkswagen Passat Lingyu was unveiled in China. In 2011, the Volkswagen Passat Lingyu was discontinued, succeeded by the 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 , or a 2.0 litre petrol inline four rated at . The 'Comfort' and 'Elegance' models offered with a 1.8 twenty valve Turbo petrol I4 rated at , or either a V6 2.8 litre petrol engine, or a 2.5 litre V6 TDI rated at .
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 2.0 litre TDI PD (BSS). This was an 8V single camshaft engine based on the 1.9 litre TDI that was unique to the Superb with two main differences over the 1.9 litre TDI. The BSS engine shared the same twin balance shaft oil pump used in the 16V twin camshaft 2.0 litre TDI PD engine that can be found in various Audi models. It also featured a wet DPF that used fluid contained in a tank under the spare wheel to generate heat for regeneration. This was used over a standard dry DPF due to space limitations in the engine bay.
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 second-gen 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. It was also the first Škoda to be available with an optional CD navigation system called the DX, with that option you automatically got the more powerful Sound System with 8 speakers, DSP amplifier, more DSP effects in the audio settings such as Sound Focus, Genre based EQ, more advanced speed-sensitive volume control and a 6-CD changer.
Škoda considered a station wagon version of the Superb. However, it was never put in production, the reason being Volkswagen feared that such a version would take too much market share from its own Passat Variant and Audi's A4 Avant. When the Superb was released in the United Kingdom in May 2002, the most expensive variant was priced at only £1,000 more than the cheapest Jaguar X-Type.
Engines Engine designation Engine code (family) Displacement Max. power Max. torque Top speed (s) 1.8 TAWT at 5700 rpm at 1750 rpm 9.5 2.0 AZM (EA827) at 5400 rpm at 3500 rpm 11.6 2.8 V6 ACK/APR at 6000 rpm at 3200 rpm 8.0 1.9 TDI-PD AVB (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1900 rpm 13.2 1.9 TDI-PD BLS (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1900 rpm 12.3 1.9 TDI-PD BPZ (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1900 rpm 12.3 1.9 TDI-PD AWX (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1750-2500 rpm 10.4 2.0 TDI-PD BSS (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1900 rpm 9.6 2.5 V6 TDI AYM/BDG at 4000 rpm at 1250 rpm 9.2
Safety
Second generation (B6, Typ 3T; 2008)
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 four door five seat sedan, with an innovative "TwinDoor" trunk lid that can operate as a conventional trunk or as a hatchback that includes opening with the rear glass.
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 1.8 litre I4 TFSI. The flagship 3.6 litre FSI VR6 engine (a detuned version of that fitted in the Passat R36) comes with four-wheel 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 , 2.0 litre I4 TDI with common rail, and a 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 2.0 litre TFSI petrol four cylinder. Changes in diesel offer included two switches: two litre with Pumpe-Düse injection was replaced with common rail engine; the 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. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive, the Superb and Superb Combi were both available with all-wheel-drive with a fourth generation Haldex clutch. The wheel sizes were a choice of 16, 17 and 18-inches.
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'. In Sweden, an important market for Škoda, a version of the four-wheel-drive Superb Combi with off-road pretensions went on sale in June 2012. Analogous to the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70 it was called the "AllDrive." Based on the Elegance equipment level it features black plastic cladding around the lower parts of the car and around the wheelwells. Its ground clearance is also increased to the tune of and a front skid plate is added. In Sweden it was only available with the three different engines (one petrol, two diesels) and four-wheel-drive, but when the model was made available across Europe as the "Škoda Superb Outdoor" one month later (reaching the United Kingdom in October 2012) it was also available with front-wheel-drive, and most of the engine range.
For the Superb there is an extensive list of standard and extra equipment, including bi-xenon headlamps with AFS, front/rear proximity sensors, automatic park assist system, tyre pressure monitoring system, navigation system with large 6.5-inch colour touch screen display and 30 GB hard drive, television broadcast receiver, 12-speaker Sound System with Surround Sound (Amundsen, Bolero, Columbus), electrically adjustable seats 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 1800 kg 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, Škoda unveiled a facelifted Superb in Shanghai. It was released for sale in the European market in June 2013. Updated exterior design features Škoda 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.
The list of features was slightly expanded too. The facelifted Superb received the latest generation of Automatic Parking Assistant. In addition to parallel parking (entering/exiting the parking space), the system is also capable of perpendicular parking (entering the parking space only).
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.
Engines Overview of engines available for the second generation Superb (B6, Typ 3T), incl. facelifted model.
Engine designation Production Engine code (family) Displacement Max. power Max. torque Top speed (s) 1.4 TSI 92 kW 2008–2015 CAXC (EA111) at 5000 rpm at 1500–4000 rpm 10.5 1.8 TSI 112 kW 2009–2015 CDAB (EA888) at 4300–6200 rpm at 1500–4200 rpm 8.8 1.8 TSI 118 kW 2008–2015 CDAA (EA888) at 4500–6200 rpm at 1500–4200 rpm 8.4 2.0 TSI 147 kW 2010–2013 gen1 2013–2015 gen2 CAWB (EA888 gen1) CCZA (EA888 gen2) at 5100–6000 rpm at 1700–5000 rpm 7.7 3.6 FSI VR6 191 kW 2008–2015 (EA390) at 6000 rpm at 2500–5000 rpm 6.4 1.6 TDI CR DPF 77 kW 2010–2015 CAYC (EA189) at 4400 rpm at 1500–2500 rpm 12.1 1.6 TDI CR DPF 77 kW GreenLine 2010–2015 CAYC (EA189) at 4400 rpm at 1500–2500 rpm 12.2 1.9 TDI PD 77 kW 2008–2010 (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1900 rpm 12.5 1.9 TDI PD 77 kW GreenLine 2008–2010 (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1900 rpm 12.5 2.0 TDI PD DPF 103 kW 2008–2010 (EA188) at 4000 rpm at 1800–2500 rpm 10.0 2.0 TDI CR DPF 103 kW 2009–2015 CFHC (EA189) at 4200 rpm at 1750–2500 rpm 10.0 2.0 TDI CR DPF 125 kW 2009–2015 CFJA (EA189) at 4200 rpm at 1750–2500 rpm 8.6
Safety
Third generation (B8, Typ 3V; 2015)