The entry price of Skoda’s flagship Superb has dropped to $66,990 drive-away with the introduction of a new base-spec, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.
Aimed primarily at fleet customers, the Superb PHEV Select undercuts the Sportline by $8000, and will be available in wagon form only.
It also becomes the cheapest PHEV wagon on sale Down Under, ousting the smaller, sportier Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZe, which is priced from $69,990 before on-road costs. However, it may not wear this title for long, with BYD poised to launch the Seal 6 here in wagon guise.
Known as the Superb iV overseas, the Superb PHEV Select is powered by a version of the Volkswagen Group’s second-generation plug-in hybrid system for vehicles on the MQB platform.
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The powertrain combines a new 110kW, turbocharged 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an electric motor and a 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery.
System outputs are quoted at 150kW and 350Nm, which is down on the 200kW offered by Audi, Cupra and Volkswagen models with the same PHEV system.
The Superb PHEV Select offers 112km of electric-only driving range on Europe’s WLTP cycle, and can be fast-charged at up to 50kW via a DC public fast charger.
Outside, the Superb PHEV Select is distinguishable by its 19-inch ‘Veratite’ alloy wheels and chrome trim accents.
Key interior features include a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charger, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, and power tailgate.
However, there’s no mention of a head-up display, premium sound system, ventilated front seats, or a heated steering wheel, with all aforementioned features seemingly limited to the top-spec, turbo-petrol Sportline.
Skoda’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension remains standard, though.
As does a long list of safety equipment including 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency steering assist, safe-exit warning, and front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera.
Skoda’s local director Lucie Kuhn has previously told CarExpert that the Superb PHEV best suits companies in the market for an eco-friendly executive car.
“I would say Superb PHEV will be mostly fleet, mainly for companies – it’s a kind of an executive car so we expect to do that direction for the companies that require a certain environmental policy,” said Ms Kuhn.