Skoda Superb Wagon arrives in Oz

Czech car maker Skoda has launched its much-anticipated 2010 Superb Wagon in the Australian marketplace, priced from $40,990 before government and dealer charges, a $2000 premium over the Superb sedan.

Hoping to appeal to an increasing number of family buyers in the burgeoning wagon market, the new Skoda Superb Wagon will rival vehicles such as Holden's venerable Sportwagon and Volvo's V70, with interior space, practicality, high-tech features and frugal engines among its talking points.

Entry-level models are packed with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which outputs 118kW/250Nm. This engine has an average fuel consumption figure of just 7.5L/100km and emits 173g/km of CO2 -- very competitive figures for a large wagon.

Standard features across the range include nine airbags, stability control, alloy wheels, a six-stacker CD audio system with 8 speakers and a touch screen interface, rear parking sensors, hill-hold control, rain sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and heated front seats.

The Skoda Superb Wagon is also the first car in its class to offer an automated parallel parking system, designed to take the stress out of reverse parking, a feature that is also standard across the range.

All models feature an expansive 633 litre boot, which extends to 1865 litres with the seats folded down.

Entry-level Ambition models will be joined by range-topping Elegance models, which add a high quality 10-speakers stereo, satellite navigation, leather seats with electric adjustment, xenon headlights with cornering function and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Skoda is also offering a range of options, including an automatic tailgate, panoramic glass roof and a false floor in the boot.

Skoda Australia expects sales of the Superb Wagon to eclipse those of the sedan, with a 60:40 sales split in favour of the new Wagon.

The head of Skoda Australia, Matthew Wiesner, told the Carsales Network that some dealers had sold stock before the car was even officially launched here: "Interest in the new [Superb] Wagon is unprecedented for us. Demand is already strong and we're searching for more supply."

Three engine types will be offered in total, including the abovementioned 1.8-litre turbo, plus a 2.0-litre turbodiesel (expected to be the volume seller) worth 125kW/350Nm while delivering fuel economy of 6.6L/100km. The range-topping 3.6-litre V6, which kicks out 191kW/350Nm, comes as standard with an all-wheel drive system.

Automatic dual clutch DSG gearboxes are standard with all engines (no manual option available) and Skoda is quietly confident of boosting both its image and its sales with the new model.

"The Superb Wagon has technology you cannot find on its rivals, such as the parking assistant, and fuel economy much better than its rivals," continued Wiesner, who added: "We expect to sell our 3000th car in Australia in June or July," which represents a major milestone for the company in Australia.

We'll publish drive impressions from the local launch in Melbourne soon, but for now here is the full price list (not including government and delivery charges) :

Superb Wagon Ambition 118TSI       $40,990
Superb Wagon Ambition 125TDI      $43,990
Superb Wagon Elegance 118TSI       $46,990
Superb Wagon Elegance 125TDI       $49,990
Superb Wagon Elegance 4x4 V6 191FSI       $57,990

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