THE NEW GENERATION OF SUPERB TESTED BY REPORTERS FOR FIRST TIME
11 November 2007 - Skoda

The extreme conditions of the American desert were the setting for a test of two prototypes for the new generation of Škoda Superb model.

For the first time in the history of the Škoda brand, media representatives were invited to the event before the new model’s official premiere. The prototypes of the successor to the successful series, fitted with light camouflage, were presented to the first press representatives by the member of the Škoda Auto a.s. Board of directors responsible for technical development, Dr. Eckhard Scholz, who said, “The New Superb is an exceptional car and brings a number of technical refinements and interesting solutions. That’s why we selected this untraditional form of presentation.”

The new generation of Škoda Superb is ready to fulfil even the most demanding needs of customers in the mid-size car segment. Today, people interested in a mid-size vehicle demand one that is both practical and luxurious. It would be difficult today to find another vehicle that combines these two contradictory demands in a way even close to that provided by the Superb. The current, successful generation of Superb has established Škoda in the arena of the large saloon cars and customers are now acquainted with its presence in the medium- and upper-medium segments.

The new generation of this model has been developed from the very beginning as a completely new vehicle. The space and travelling comfort that the car offers places it among the leaders in the mid-size category. The intriguing development in the construction and design of the new generation of Superb will be the reason for a major change in awareness of this model range. The new generation of Škoda Superb, with its exceptional interior space, follows the tradition of the current modern generation.

The success of the current generation is underlined, among other things, by the fact that in Customer Satisfaction Studies in 2007 carried out by the internationally accredited organisation JD Power, the Superb was among the leaders. In Great Britain, the Superb was fourth in the family vehicle category. In first place was the Škoda Octavia. Overall, the Škoda brand was ranked as the second. In Germany, Škoda’s largest market, the Superb took second place in the mid-sized class and was the fourth best-liked car among German customers. Škoda ranked in ninth position among all the brands. In this most demanding European market, this is an evidence of its above-average ranking and is a clear success for Škoda.

The development of the latest model has been completely undertaken by the Škoda Auto Technical Development Department which is currently undergoing a marked development itself. Expansion and development of the current technical facilities involve an investment of € 38 million. The total work area for the technical development is being increased by some 70%. Dozens of new chassis engineers, electrical engineers and other development specialists will work in new facilities. It will be their job to ensure that research and development is carried out not only for the Škoda brand but for the whole Volkswagen Group. The overall building project will be completed by the end of 2008 and, after installing the most up-to-date technology, will be fully operational by middle of 2009. Offices, laboratories and workshop space will be located in the new Škoda Auto Technology Center and here, the development in vehicle electronics and electrical equipment; the development of chassis and aggregates; test activities, such as acoustic checks; special investigations in a simulated sunlight test area; climatic chambers and the light tunnel and many other activities will take place.

The Technical Development Department at Škoda is the third-largest development unit within the Volkswagen Group today. The current expansion in capacity strengthens the Škoda brand’s development competence even further, confirmed by the number of new models introduced in the past few years. At the same time, it will enable the company to continue and to follow the rich tradition of more than one hundred years of developing and building automobiles in the Czech Republic.

The vehicles on display, which are being put through exhausting tests in Death Valley, are test prototypes fitted out with 1.8 TSI/118 kW (160 bhp) engines. In regard to its construction, this is the same engine which has been offered across the Octavia model range since the middle of this year.

One of the most important technical innovations is the bi-xenon headlight with the AFS function including retractable integrated headlights washer units with an automatic rain sensor and the “MAXI DOT” display. The abbreviation AFS (Adaptive Frontlight System) describes a system of adaptive front headlights. The system for controlling the front headlights makes use of the possibility of changing the geometry of the front headlights light beam and adapting the lighting in front of the vehicle to suit different driving conditions. This highly advanced system is supplemented by a rotating headlight function, cornering lights and the dynamic regulation of the headlight beam angle height. The combination of all of these functions has resulted in a well-designed system that adapts dynamically to the prevailing lighting conditions on the road, thus increasing driving safety - the driver can react more quickly to hindrances when these are better illuminated.

We will provide you with further technical details and the engines offered at the world premiere of the new generation Superb models at their presentation at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show next spring.

http://www.skoda.co.uk

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