SPY PICS: New Skoda Superb spotted towing in the alps

The next-generation 2023 Skoda Superb has been spotted for the first time, undergoing development testing in what would have to be the most picturesque spy images of the year.

Apart from confirming the Czech brand will indeed release another iteration of its range-topping sedan, or at least wagon as you can see here, despite the waning popularity of traditional passenger vehicles globally, these fresh spy shots preview evolutionary changes for Skoda’s new flagship.

Snapped here traversing the Austrian alps in full prototype regalia, the Skoda Superb looks as though it will grow longer in its next generation as well as marginally taller and, dare we say it, more SUV-like.

That extra height will be reflected in the car’s new front bumper, which at this early stage appears to be dominated by a subtly reshaped and taller grille, flanked on either side by a pair of elevated headlights.

Going by the increased ground clearance, there’s every chance this particular Superb is the raised ‘Scout’ crossover version, but these variants have traditionally added only increased ride height and extra body cladding – not a taller front-end.

The rear-end has received a similar treatment, in addition to new LED tail-lights and a more heavily contoured tailgate.

While we can’t see inside the cabin, our sources in Europe tell us the new Superb is expected to inherit a similar multi-level dash design as the current Skoda Octavia and debut a number of brand-firsts in terms of features and technology.

Plug-in hybrid technology is also tipped to come to Skoda’s biggest passenger vehicle; more than likely a development of the PHEV powertrain seen in the Skoda Octavia RS iV.

This particular powertrain isn’t currently offered in Australia but will soon be when the Volkswagen Golf GTE arrives here next year.

The system is good for combined outputs of 180kW/400Nm under the bonnet of both the Octavia and the Golf, but they could be upped to better match the bigger Superb package.

Production of the next-gen Superb is understood to be moving from Skoda’s Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic to its Bratislava factory in Slovakia, something our sources say will free up more room at the former to produce the brand’s SUV models.

The new Skoda Superb is expected to launch globally sometime next year, but it could be a while before Aussies can get their hands on one, although we wouldn’t rule out a late 2023 introduction Down Under.

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