Earlier this week, Skoda released the first teaser of the facelifted Superb that will be its first model to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. According to a new report, the company could launch the Superb plug-in hybrid in India.
Skoda has a few EVs up its sleeves, but India is not ready for them. “Getting the right infrastructure in place for electric vehicles will not happen overnight in India," the company's HR boss Bohdan Wojnar told DW recently. The Czech automaker wants to begin its electrification journey here with a hybrid. "But I'm sure that a lot will happen in this regard over the next decade — Skoda Auto stands ready as we're marketing fully electric vehicles, and our Superb hybrid cars, for example, will also be of value for the Indian market,” Wojnar added.
Besides subtle changes and equipment revisions, including a switch from Bi-Xenon headlamps to LED headlamps and the possible upgrade to new infotainment systems from the third generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3), the new Superb will be the torchbearer for Skoda's electrification journey. The powertrain of its plug-in hybrid variant is said to combine a 154 PS 1.4L TSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an 85 kW (115 PS) electric and have a maximum system power of 218 PS. The electric motor will get its juice from a 13 kWh battery. In pure electric mode, the range will reportedly be around 70 km. Production of the electrified variant will commence this calendar year.
Also Read: 2019 Skoda Superb (facelift) spied on its home turf [Video]
At launch, expect the facelifted Skoda Superb to be available in India with only conventional four-cylinder petrol and/or diesel engine(s). The new model would arrive here as early as the festive season this year.
