Superb keeps it simple

THE biggest car in Skoda-dom, that cops prime public attention as a front-line police car has just released here in its latest generation, as a 2.0-litre petrol four-wheel-drive station wagon in two trims.

Skoda NZ has notified that what’s now offering as the Superb wagon (not Combi) TSi 195kW 4x4 will register for $74,990, with the alternate Sportline holding a $9000 premium. Supply has begun, but purely with the cheaper variant.

Latest styling ingredients aside, the model has grown slightly in length, by 40mm, with commensurate benefit to load space, with a 30 litres’ increase to the already generous capacity taking that to 690 litres seats all in place.

Making 195kW and 400Nm, the 2.0-litre makes 11kW less power than its predecessor in primary format (but matches the Police issue product now), and is also a technology regression, in that it steps back from including the plug-in electric assist component that came with the previous model in its flagship private sale $80,000 iV format.

The latter placed a 1.4-litre petrol with a electric motor. this claimed 160kW/400Nm, 62 kilometres’ pure electric driving and more than 900 kilometres’ range between refills; as much as the diesel it made defunct.

Skoda NZ says it still has some iV editions of the outgoing generation car to sell and there’s potential the drivetrain might yet furnish from the factory in the new type, but no decisions have been made. 

Octavia also provisioned with the same iV powertrain, but that has been discontinued by the factory.

The liftback/sedan body style that previously offered in the previous family, which sold from 2017 through to last year, also discontinues from NZ selection.

Though other engines are still offered globally, the 2.0-litre has to date been the only power plant for the Superb wagon since it entered production last year. The latest car was revealed globally almost 12 months ago.

Standard now is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with all-wheel drive. Performance looks promising, with a claimed 0-100kmh time of 5.7 seconds so just 0.1s shy of the liftback.