Czech Republic: New Twindoor system for Skoda Superb is both boot and hatchback
Monday, January 28, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
The first image of the forthcoming Skoda Superb's interior has been issued by the Czech OEM. The company has also explained that the car, which appears to be a conventional sedan like the current model, has a bootlid built into its top-hinged tailgate - something never seen before.
The new model, which will have its world premiere at the Geneva motor show on 4 March, will signal an upmarket shift by the Volkswagen Group brand, with the Superb arguably becoming a near-premium rival for the Saab 9-5 and Volvo S80 rival. Yet, this large car, which will be available with a 3.6-litre V6 for high-end variants, will also be powered by units as small as 1.4 litres.
The feature that will give the firm's new flagship the most publicity is undoubtedly its 'Twindoor' bootlid-within-a-hatchback system. Designed and patented by Skoda engineers, the clever arrangement makes it possible to open either just the bootlid and put small pieces of luggage inside the vehicle or lift the whole tailgate including the rear window. No wiper or washer system is mentioned in the firm's advance publicity material, nor is one visible, even in the top-spec version pictured.
There is a claimed 565 litres of load space in what Skoda's English language press information calls the 'basic arrangement', 85 more than in the luggage compartment of the existing car. No images of the boot and hatchback in operation have been issued.
The new model shares its platform with the latest generation Volkswagen Passat, while the current car is effectively a long wheelbase version of the previous generation model.
As well as standard manual transmissions for most versions, a twin-clutch DSG automatic will be available, as will what Skoda calls the fourth generation of the Haldex four-wheel drive system.
All gasoline engines will have direct injection, the company states, with the range starting with the four-cylinder unit that was announced by Volkswagen Group in May 2007 to steadily replace its 1.6-litre FSI unit. The 1.4 TSI, which produces a claimed 123hp (92 kW) thanks to a turbocharger, is followed higher in the range by a 158hp (118kW) 1.8 TSI, also turbocharged. The sole gasoline V6 is the 3.6 FSI which produces 256hp (191 kW). This latter variant, the most powerful Superb, will be released shortly after the launch of other versions and come with standard DSG transmission and four-wheel drive.
As for diesels, the base variant will be known as '1.9 TDI PD DPF', with the latter initials signalling a particulate filter. Above this 103hp (77 kW) engine comes the 138hp (103kW) 2.0 TDI PD DPF and then a new unit, the 168hp (125kW) 2.0 TDI CR DPF with common rail injection.
The OEM continues to drip-feed information about the new car and whilst issuing one image of the interior, is yet to provide standard specifications, though these will of course vary from market to market. Likewise, prices are yet to be announced, with the car's positioning above the only slightly smaller Octavia range as yet unclear.
Historically, Skoda named its priciest limousines 'Superb' and the new model is no doubt another step towards lifting the brand into a section of the market it has not competed in for many decades.
Published on Monday, January 28, 2008
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