Skoda will definitely build a fully redesigned second-generation version of its Superb executive saloon, and a ‘concept’ hinting at the look of the new model may appear at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Go deeper with GlobalData
At the UK press launch of the Roomster mini-MPV this week, Skoda designer Peter Olah told just-auto that the new Superb would be a highly individual design, moving well away from the degree of badge engineering applied across VW Group products in recent years.
“The Superb will draw heavily on Skoda’s own heritage, as a Czech manufacturer of luxury automobiles,” Olah said, adding that a design study could be displayed at Geneva alongside the redesigned B-segment Fabia supermini, which will debut at the Swiss show.
After several years as a three-model brand with the Fabia, Superb and Octavia family car, Skoda is beginning an aggressive expansion programme.
The Roomster will be joined within two years by an SUV, recently shown as the Yeti concept, which in design terms bucks current trends, its ability taking priority over style.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataMeanwhile, at the Paris motor show next week, Skoda will unveil the Joyster, a ‘design study’ for a three-door compact likely to make production if reaction is positive.
This would bring the Skoda range to six model lines, posing a challenge to UK dealers, in particular, many are small family-run businesses in village locations.
The arrival of the Roomster marks the start of a new Skoda ‘design language’ and Olah hinted that the car’s front end styling in particular gives a very good idea of the look of the next Fabia. The Roomster also heralds a new platform strategy, moving away from the traditional process of building new models on existing platforms in favour of a more modular approach.
Its new platform can effectively be divided into three, with the front derived from the Fabia, the centre a bespoke unit and the rear drawing heavily from the Octavia.
According to the designers, the modular approach offers greater flexibility in design, and the Roomster’s marketing heavily promotes the concept of the vehicle being two ‘rooms’ – a ‘driving room’ up front and a flexible, spacious ‘living room’ behind. The original concept sketch – which designers say inspired the car – showed an aircraft cockpit attached to a house.
Flexibility in the passenger cabin is aided by the launch of a new ‘Varioflex’ seating system – the rear three seats can all be reclined or removed, leaving enough space in the rear to accommodate three cycles, while with the centre seat only removed the outer pair can be slid towards the centre to create a more spacious four-seater.
Andrew Charman
