Škoda's Conservative Powertrains for Fourth-Gen Superb

In a move that some will say is a case of hedging bets, Czech automaker Škoda announces six upgraded powertrains for its popular D-segment Superb model with just two electrified options.

While battery-electric vehicle sales have slowed in Europe, the Volkswagen Group brand releases four improved gasoline and diesel power plants with one plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and one mild hybrid as the only powertrains featuring electrification.

The Škoda Superb now sees its powertrain range topped off with the 2.0L- TSI with all-wheel-drive boasting a 265-hp maximum power output. Next in the power stakes comes its milder sibling, the 2.0L TSI unit claiming 204 hp with front-wheel drive and, like the range-topper, comes with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.

Here the first electrified powertrain, the PHEV, chimes in with a 204-hp output but with a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Its gasoline internal-combustion component, a 150-hp 1.5L TSI from the automaker’s EA211 evo2 engine series, is exclusively available for the Superb station wagon.

Its electrified components include a new 25.7-kWh high-voltage battery that is about twice the size of its predecessor and claims an all-electric range of more than 62 miles (100 km) on the European WLTP rating. With a maximum charging rate of 11 kW at domestic wallboxes and AC charging points, the battery can be replenished from 0%-100% in 2 1/2 hours. Using public DC fast charging stations, the powertrain claims a maximum charging rate of 50 kW, taking 25 minutes to charge the battery from 10%-80% percent.

The new entry-level engine for the Superb is the same 1.5L TSI seen in the PHEV, augmented with mild-hybrid technology using a 48V belt-driven starter-generator and a 48V lithium-ion battery. Energy recovered during braking can support the combustion engine with an electric power boost or allow the vehicle to coast with the engine switched off.

Rounding out the powertrain options are two 2.0L TDI diesel powerplants using a 7-speed DSG transmisssion, in 150-hp and 193-hp versions, with the latter featuring AWD as standard. All powertrains meet the latest Euro 6d emissions standard.

Johannes Neft, Škoda Auto board member for technical development, says, “The all-new Superb will be more efficient than ever before in the history of the model range, thanks to a wide range of state-of-the-art powertrains.”