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Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh

Last updated on: February 10, 2014 19:13 IST


Photographs: Courtesy, Skoda

Skoda Auto India have launched the refreshed 2014 Skoda Superb on Monday.

The premium executive sedan is priced between Rs 18.87 lakh and Rs 25.2 lakh.

The new Superb gets an updated front end with LED daytime running lights, Skoda’s new family grille and a newly designed bumper.

Source: PTI and IndianAutosBlog

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Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Skoda

At the rear the sedan receives LED taillights of a new design and the registration plate enclosure is now featured on the bootlid.

A new 16-inch alloy wheel design is included as well. Inside, the refreshed Superb gets a new three-spoke steering wheel.

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Tags: LED , Skoda

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Skoda

Mechanically, there are no changes to talk about. The car is available with two engine options - a petrol and a diesel.

The 1.8-litre petrol motor produces 160 PS between 4,500-6,200 rpm and churns out 250 Nm of torque between 1,500-4,500 rpm.

It is paired to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.

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Tags: DSG , Skoda

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


The 2.0-litre diesel engine is capable of 140 PS at 4,200 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1,750-2,500 rpm and comes mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission.

The four-wheel drive 3.6-liter V6 model was discontinued earlier on, and will not make a re-entry on the refreshed Superb.

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Tags: DSG , Skoda

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Skoda

Czech auto-maker also said that it is taking a break from selling compact car in India as it is focusing on a financially sustainable business model, for which an organisational restructuring is being implemented to make it leaner and improve its after-sales service.

The Indian arm has closed after-sales office in Pune as part of the ongoing strategy.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


"We are still selling Fabia (hatchback) but we have stopped production of the car. Our present focus is on strengthening our image as a value for luxury provider," Skoda Auto India Chairman and Managing Director Sudhir Rao told reporters.

He, however, said the company has not completely given up on the high volume compact segment.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


"We will profitably re-enter the small car segment, once we get the fundamentals sorted out," Rao said, without sharing any time-frame.

The company "clearly has volume aspirations, for that we need a volume car in the Fabia segment", he added.

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Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


The Fabia was launched in India as a premium hatchback competing with the likes of Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 but didn't make much of a mark.

At present the company has made "progress" in the development on an India specific compact car based on the platform of mid-sized sedan Rapid, Rao said but did not share when it would be launched.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


The company's main models in India are sedans Superb, Octavia and Rapid along with sports utility vehicle Yeti.

Rao said Skoda India has been streamlining structures in the company as part of an exercise to make in lean and nimble footed to be able to respond to market demand quicker.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


"In 2013 our focus was to improve our business. We have done a lot to make it leaner, with less people. Our Pune aftersales office has been closed and we are operating only from Mumbai and Aurangabad," he said.

When asked about the number of people, which left the company, Rao didn't share an exact number but said the Pune office had about 25 people, while several have been relocated some moved on.

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Tags: Mumbai , Skoda

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


"This year, you will see a lot of improvement in our aftersales, customer relationship and product planning. We will have a financially sustainable business...we have make significant improvement in financials, except for one-off issue," Rao said  without elaborating on the financial issue.

Admitting that the company had issues with after-sales, he said Skoda India has worked on reducing the number of days taken for repairs of cars drastically.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Skoda launches new Superb; price starts at Rs 18.87 lakh


Skoda India had sold a total of around 22,700 units in India as against about 35,000 units in 2012.

It is hoping that the new models and its new approach on image building through better relationship with customers will help in making a rebound.

In the second half of the year, the company will launch a new version of its SUV Yeti.

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