The brand-new Skoda Superb iV makes a huge leap forward with its plug-in hybrid powertrain over the outgoing model, with a substantially increased electric driving range. It’s a pretty big deal for Skoda, given their renewed offensive in the PHEV market, joining the Kodiaq iV as the brand’s champion among do-everything plug-in hybrids. In E-Mode, you can now expect up to 84 miles of range in the new 4th-gen Superb iV, courtesy of a large 25.7kWh battery pack and many more improvements made to its power electronics. Furthermore, for the first time ever, Skoda’s plug-in models can take advantage of DC rapid chargers, with 50kW peak charging.
This means you’d be able to charge up the Skoda iV’s battery pack from 10% to 80% in a mere 26 minutes. Alternatively, you could of course plug it into a more conventional 11kW charger, which should achieve that same charge in a still-speedy 2.5 hours. As for the Skoda Superb iV’s internal combustion side of things, the plug-in hybrid powertrain works alongside a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with an electric motor integrated into the six-speed DSG gearbox. You’re looking at a combined output of 204PS, between that four-pot’s 150PS, while the electric motor and battery hybrid combo adds another 116PS, which is pretty decent.
A New, Hybridised Approach To Motoring
Just like a lot of plug-in hybrids, the new Skoda Superb iV’s second-gen hybrid powertrain has plenty of drive modes that you can fiddle around with. These should help you further optimise how the hybrid works in relation to what you’re after – more performance, or more efficiency. In its “E-Mode”, with enough charge in the battery and if the temperature is above -10°C, you can drive your fancy new Skoda Superb iV electric-only, without once touching the engine and sipping any fuel. Or, you could switch it to its “Hybrid Mode”, and let the car’s control unit use the engine, electric motor, or both, intelligently to help you maximise your fuel economy.
Otherwise, there’s also a “Sport Mode”, ensuring that you maximise the hybrid powertrain to enjoy 204PS of power and 350Nm of torque. Overall, Skoda hopes that this new 4th-gen Superb iV is a more performant and speedier model than its predecessor. Besides all this new dynamism and sharpness on the table with the driving experience, the Skoda Superb iV is still that same, practical, do-everything commuter car that we’ve come to know and love from its predecessor. Available exclusively as an estate/wagon, the Superb iV, despite having a much larger battery pack and adding an electric motor, retains its class-leading rear legroom.
A ‘Superb’ All-Rounder, Great For The Family
On top of that, this 4th-gen Skoda Superb iV, with its PHEV powertrain, also features a pretty sizeable 510-litre boot, which can be expanded further to a whopping 1,770 litres with its rear seats folded down. So, it’s nice to see that Skoda hasn’t compromised on the Superb iV’s do-it-all practicality and spaciousness and that they aren’t skimping on equipment, to boot. For UK customers, this new Skoda Superb iV PHEV is available to order now, starting from a £41,465 OTR. This is specifically for the entry-level SE Technology trim, which includes 17-inch alloys, a 13-inch infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, and heated front seats.
The SE Technology model also includes rear-view cameras and adaptive cruise control. Move up to the mid-range SE L trim (from £44,820), and you’ll get bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, massaging seats, as well as an electric tailgate, and an electric sliding parcel shelf. Or, you could also upgrade to the top-spec Laurin & Klement trim (from £48,540), and this gains you a more luxurious cabin upholstery, premium sound system, heated steering wheel (with paddle shifters), heated rear seats, a parking assist system, and much more! Best of all, for fleet operators and company drivers out there, Skoda is offering notable cost savings, too.
