More variants, added value in Superb range

Affordable diesel power is now on the agenda for the Skoda Superb, as we first reported in May.

Already available in local dealerships, the Superb 103TDI brings the price of the diesel large car within reach of those limited to a $40,000 budget.

At $38,990, the new sedan is priced at the same level as the 1.8TSI petrol model that was previously the entry-level model. And it doesn't end there either. Skoda has also added upmarket variants that combine the same diesel engine with all-wheel drive. It's the first time the Superb has been offered here with all-wheel drive models powered by any engine other than the 3.6-litre petrol V6.

The importance of the adjusted model mix shouldn't be underestimated. Skoda won't reveal a sales forecast for the revised range, but claims that as much as 70 per cent of Superb sales volumes to date have been the 125TDI diesel-powered models. The new, lower-output engine opens the way for the Superb to find more buyers in the local market.

"We are expanding our model range and the Superb 103TDI is part of this," said Skoda's Product Marketing Manager, Petr Beneda, who went on to say that the company aims to match buyers to a large car at a "medium-sized price and [with] medium-size fuel efficiency".

The lower-output engine is a common-rail four-cylinder diesel developing 103kW and 320Nm and is coupled to a six-speed DSG transmission. Of the six variants, the most affordable ($38,990) is the 103TDI sedan in the Ambition level of trim. Skoda is asking a further $3000 ($41,990) for the same car with all-wheel drive and there's also a 4x4 sedan in upmarket Elegance trim for $48,490.

Three wagon variants are also available: Superb 103TDI Ambition at $40,990, the Superb 4x4 103TDI Ambition at $43,990 and the Superb 4x4 103TDI Elegance at $50,490.

Standard safety features across the range include: dual front airbags, front/rear side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, stability control, active front headrests and three-point seatbelts/headrests for all seats.

The Superb Ambience comes equipped with the following standard features: Park Assist (wagon only), remote central locking, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather-bound multifunction steering wheel, MP3-compatible six-disc CD audio system with eight speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, trip computer, cruise control, electric windows/mirrors, electrochromatic mirror, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on/off headlights, follow-me-home function and timed-delay fading interior light.

For the Superb 4x4 103TDI in Elegance trim, the equipment list also runs to an alarm system, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler (sedan), satellite navigation, leather trim, heated door mirrors, heated rear seats and bi-xenon headlights.

Official fuel consumption figures for the new variants are 6.1L/100km (FWD sedan), 6.2L/100km (FWD wagon), 6.4L/100km (4WD sedan) and 6.5L/100km (4WD wagon). Displacing 2.0 litres, the diesel produces CO2 emissions ranging from 161g/km to 171g/k/m. The all-wheel drive models feature a Haldex system — which is also shared with the V6-engined petrol Superb — to transfer drive to the rear wheels.

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