Skoda Superb facelift revealed, debuts in Shanghai this month

The Skoda Superb facelift has been launched on the internet through a collection of photographs. The world premiere of the new Superb will be held on the eve of the Auto Shanghai 2013. The car will grace dealerships in Europe in late June.

In addition to cosmetic changes and the equipment list, the fuel economy of the new Superb has also witnessed an improvement.

Following Skoda's new family design, the grille, logo, head and fog lamps, bumpers, front fenders and hood are redesigned. The grille is wider and the headlights are bi-xenon units with integrated LED lights, ala Skoda Octavia.

The rear profile of the car takes a drastically different direction. Rehashed tail lights with the signature C-Shaped element in the detailing give the rear a new identity. The number plate is relocated to the boot lid.

Two metallic finishes joining the exterior color options are metal grey and moon white. 16- to 18-inch alloy wheels can be ordered with new designs.

There's a lot to speak about the interior of the Superb as well. The four-spoke steering wheel is new and is available in "a total of nine variations". Nine new fabrics and patterns have been introduced and in the high-end L&K trim, the interior is upholstered in an brown-ivory color combo.

[Left - Current Superb's dashboard; Right - Superb facelift retains the basic dash design but gets different color combination and a four-spoke steering wheel]

Skoda has brought updates to the engine range. Some of them deliver 19 per cent fuel better fuel economy compared to the current counterparts. Start-stop and kinetic energy regeneration technologies are standard on all diesel engines. The 2.0-liter TDI engine also features a manual transmission on the 4X4 version of the facelift.

To improve the rear seat credentials of the Superb further, Skoda has added a mechanism for the rear occupant to electronically push the front seat ahead. The leg room and boot space remain untouched as the floor pan is the same.

Skoda describes the umbrella holder on the door as a feature cascading from top-end luxury vehicles. The Jumbo box in the centre console, storage areas in the doors and beneath the passenger seat, sunglass compartment and the storage area in the centre armrest of the backseat are "Simply Clever" features according to Skoda.

A feature that debuted in India on the new Passat - the Automatic Parking Assistant - is offered on the Superb facelift.

Skoda has not announced launch plans for markets outside Europe.