New 2023 Skoda Superb spotted disguised as current model

Our spy photographers have noticed a peculiar Skoda Outstanding advancement automobile out on the road. It would seem to be a mule for the Czech brand’s future-era flagship estate, whilst it’s donning the present car’s bodywork as a disguise.

The fourth-era Skoda Outstanding will make its debut in 2023, together with Volkswagen’s alternative for the Passat. Inevitably, the two cars will share the identical production line, with both equally continuing to use the Group’s MQB architecture.

These most recent spy photographs confirm that latter point. This Outstanding mule is currently being used to test the future car’s platform and powertrains – and, as it appears to share the identical overall body-in-white as the present model, all the mounting points for the new car’s architecture should really be identical across the era modify.

That suggests the future Outstanding should really be supplied with a identical vary of engines to the present model, albeit with a minor extra emphasis on plug-in hybrid electric power. We’re expecting a choice of two PHEV powertrains, both equally dependent on the identical 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

There’ll be an entry-degree possibility with around 200bhp and a extra strong model pinched from the Passat GTE with 242bhp. The latter powertrain might also have a larger battery pack than the present 13kWh unit, meaning an electrical-only vary of sixty miles could be feasible.

The fourth-era Superb’s existence-cycle will squeak below the government’s 2030 ban on new combustion-engined cars, with the automobile currently being axed just as the legislation will come into power. So, petrol and diesel powertrains will continue to be available on the hatchback, with Skoda working with current variations of the present car’s engines.

Like the present Outstanding, the Mk4 model’s petrol vary will kick-off with a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and best out with a 276bhp 2.-litre unit with four-wheel travel. Skoda will also retain the car’s existing 2.-litre diesel engine, featuring purchasers a choice of tunes ranging from 148bhp to 197bhp.

Skoda’s structure improvements for the new Outstanding will be evolutionary, with the future automobile maybe even sharing the identical ground pan as the present model. The company will not be keen on spending too significantly revenue acquiring a automobile that’s driven by a dying powertrain, so there’ll be very a little bit of carry-over from the present automobile.

This mule offers us a glimpse at what the new Outstanding could look like. Up entrance, there’s a extra intense bumper with significant brake cooling ducts, whilst the rear conclusion appears to have been smoothed over. The actuality that these new elements correct flush to the present Superb’s panelling also suggests the two cars’ overall body shells will be pretty identical.

Inside of, we’re expecting a little bit extra of an update. The future Outstanding will most likely adopt the identical infotainment technological know-how as the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf, gaining a digital gauge cluster and ten-inch infotainment technique as standard. It’ll also run on the Group’s most recent computer software, which adds connected navigation and are living targeted traffic updates.

Now click on right here to read all the most recent news on the future Skoda Superb’s sister automobile, the new Volkswagen Passat…