2019 Skoda Superb facelift to be unveiled internationally on May 23

Team OD Updated: July 09, 2019, 11:18 AM IST

Skoda Auto will unveil the Skoda Superb facelift on May 23 at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Slovakia. Skoda has been a longtime sponsor of this event and will unveil the car on the day of the quarter-final match. The third generation Superb launched internationally in 2015 and is due for a mid-cycle refresh.

The company released a design sketch of the car recently which gives us some insights into the changes that can be expected. The butterfly grille now has a thick chrome strip running over it while the headlamps look slimmer and wider, the lighting element has changed too. Also new is the front bumper. The air dam is wider and stretches the entire length of the car, also housing the wide LED fog lamps.

Earlier spy images had revealed that the rear too gets a light brush-up. It gets the wide Skoda lettering seen on the Scala while the tail lamps now have new detailing. Most notable is the thin chrome strip that runs the entire length of the rear, cutting through the lights. The rear bumper too has been redesigned with new grey inserts. The side profile remains identical, just with new split chrome badging on the fenders and doors.

There are no details yet on the changes inside but we can reasonably expect the virtual cockpit instrument cluster and a 360-degree camera to debut on the L and K trims. Engine options will likely remain unchanged for India but like international markets, we expect to a get a new plug-in hybrid which will pair a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine that makes 156PS and an electric motor with 115PS. This unit will have a combined output of 217PS and 70 km range. This will likely carry the Superb iV moniker.
The 1.8 petrol with 180PS and 250Nm and the 2.0-litre diesel with 177PS/350Nm should continue unchanged.

The Skoda Superb has had this segment mostly to itself, dominating the Passat with better value and more space. But a new Camry Hybrid is now available and this facelift will keep the Superb from feeling like it has fallen behind. Expect a price increase of about Rs 1 lakh over the current car for the top-of-the-line models.

Also see: Toyota Camry v Skoda Superb v Volkswagen Passat Comparo Video