Seven-speed DSG for Aussie Superb

Skoda, far from being low-man on the Volkswagen Audi Group's totem pole, will be the first of the brands to launch a car locally equipped with the car giant's new seven-speed DSG transmission.

The transmission will arrive in the Czech brand's new flagship, the Superb, in the first quarter of 2009. Skoda will thereafter be in the enviable position to offer buyers the advanced new twin-clutch manual transmission. Only one engine option will be available with the new seven-speed DSG box, however, the same 118kW 1.8-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol powerplant as recently debuted in Audi's A4.

Superb purchasers will be able to choose from two other engines, sans the new DSG box. A new common-rail 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel four-cylinder will be introduced at the same time as the seven-speed Superb, while an all-wheel-drive variant with a 3.6-litre V6 developing almost 200kW will arrive around six months later. The V6 is a detuned version of that fitted to the Passat R36.

Both the turbodiesel and V6 engines will be coupled to the Volkswagen Group's current six-speed DSG box, says Skoda. This box is rated to a maximum output of 350Nm, which means that the 125kW/350Nm turbodiesel is right on its upper limit.

The Superb will be sold in Australia specified in two levels of trim, Ambition and Elegance, but is unique in the market for its unusual (but practical) split tailgate system, which can be opened as a normal boot, or in one whole piece -- as a large liftback (more here).

As for those who need more loading capacity than the Superb has to offer, Skoda will introduce a wagon variant built on the same wheelbase about a year from the launch of the sedan cum liftback.

On the subject of whether Skoda will market the Superb as a sedan or a liftback, head of Skoda Australia, Matthew Wiesner, admits it's an interesting question. He says his marketing mavens are looking for an answer.

"Sedans are a bit conservative and hatchbacks are less conservative... One would think Superb buyers would be more conservative," he said, inclined to the sedan side of the argument.

That doesn't prevent Skoda from exercising the each-way bet prerogative and calling it a liftback in one advertising or promotional stream and a sedan in another.

As to price, Skoda is yet to settle on a structure for the Superb model range, but Wiesner hints that "We [Skoda] won't need to worry about the luxury car tax".

"It's too early to tell," he says, but he also narrowed the ballpark a bit with the following remark: "Look at Passat… Passat starts at $42,990."

"At worst, that's where you'd have to start [for the Superb]," he said.

To comment on this article click here.