Skoda Superb will ‘fill the vacuum’ left by Passat, Arteon

The new-generation Skoda Superb large car will fill the void Volkswagen has created in its Australian range, the Czech brand's global boss says.

Klaus Zellmer, Skoda CEO, reckons the new-generation model will meet the needs and expectations of those who would have previously bought a VW Passat or Arteon.

VW Australia has announced it will not be taking the new-gen Passat, which is sold only as a wagon this time around, while the Arteon liftback and wagon model line has been axed globally, seemingly because it was encroaching on Audi’s sales space.

3

Mr Zellmer told Wheels in Munich this week that the new Superb, expected to be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 195kW mild-hybrid powertrain, will give remaining ICE large car customers what they want.

“We’re going to have both the Combi (wagon) and the limousine (liftback or sedan),” he said. “You know, the Arteon and Passat are going out, and I think that is a perfect answer for that vacuum, potentially.”

While he indicated that a circa-$60K large car isn’t Skoda’s bread and butter, it will offer a lot for the money asked for it.

3

Recently revealed 2024 Skoda Superb interior

“Value for money is always important for Skoda and will remain important,” he said.

So far in 2023, Skoda has sold just 187 examples of the Superb, a huge 64.5 per cent drop, year-on-year. That’s likely due to the supply constraints and the wind-down of the current-gen version ahead of the new model launching.

The new Superb is set to be revealed in the coming weeks, but an on-sale time frame is about 12 months away for Australian buyers.