My other half was invited by Skoda to a reward night. There she was introduced to the new Superb that possibly will be replaced end 2012 to start 2013. She was very impressed. Did not take any photos with her phone like. The back end was a bit like the Maserati with the leds going along the back, she also liked the new Skoda badge they might be introducing removing the green and leaving it black and silver. Anyone else seen anything of it yet?

Edited 15 February, 201115 yr by Bonedoggy33

When it does come, expect far less standard equipment and cheaper interior materials. Especially since VAG are not happy that the current superb is taking sales away from the Passat, and they want the Superb to be seen as a cheaper less equipped version rather than better spec'd and cheaper.

The previous Superb lasted nearly 6 years before being replaced, following that it would mean the the current superb would be replaced in 2014. Maybe the car see saw was a facelift as that would be due next year.

The Octavia is expected to be replaced shortly as the current design is now 7 years old.

When it does come, expect far less standard equipment and cheaper interior materials. Especially since VAG are not happy that the current superb is taking sales away from the Passat, and they want the Superb to be seen as a cheaper less equipped version rather than better spec'd and cheaper.

The previous Superb lasted nearly 6 years before being replaced, following that it would mean the the current superb would be replaced in 2014. Maybe the car see saw was a facelift as that would be due next year.

The Octavia is expected to be replaced shortly as the current design is now 7 years old.

Yep - dealer confirmed with me yesterday it's only a FL model.

I assume this is for the hatch

Facelifts normally apply to all models in the range so expect the Estate to get the same treatment.

Wonder if they downtone the design a little? So that the Passat doesn't look that dull.

Keep guessing you will get there in the end . You need to work out which new modals are coming out and which order.

Starting 2012

My other half has confirmed it is only a Face Lift. But she said it was very nice. She thought the back was a lot better, that’s if they keep it, they might change it again in the next 1 ½ years.

Any pics OP. Will it be here in early 2012??

Must be MY2013 i guess.

I dont know why VAG are moaning about the superb taking sales away from the passat..its still bringing in the money for the company.If anything it could be a sign that maybe the passat needs to be redeigned, but then again VAG wouldnt want their precious own brands being upstaged by lesser mortals such as Skoda !!

They obviously think its better to have fewer sales of the passat and charge more for that particular model, rather than have a lesser branded model that is out selling the passat..but unfortunately, someone at VAG cant do the math's and therefore are going to cheapen the superb in order to make the passat a more viable option...but what they fail to understand, is the fact the cheaper you make the model, the more people will buy them..keep going skoda

I dont know why VAG are moaning about the superb taking sales away from the passat..its still bringing in the money for the company.If anything it could be a sign that maybe the passat needs to be redeigned, but then again VAG wouldnt want their precious own brands being upstaged by lesser mortals such as Skoda !!

They obviously think its better to have fewer sales of the passat and charge more for that particular model, rather than have a lesser branded model that is out selling the passat..but unfortunately, someone at VAG cant do the math's and therefore are going to cheapen the superb in order to make the passat a more viable option...but what they fail to understand, is the fact the cheaper you make the model, the more people will buy them..keep going skoda

The German marketing philosophy does not acknowledge the word cheap. It simply is to produce a base vehicle with just enough in it to entice a buyer then up sell all the options in the showroom. The Skoda is the odd ball in the group which is not sold using this basis, so expect the Skoda to be aligned with the rest of the group in the next model, strip out all the stuff that can be sold as options and get the customer to pay for the rest. The Skoda must sit at a level below Passat as to raise it to the same level would lead to the demise of one of them and VW would want both to appeal to different segments of the market. You can bet money that either Passat will get more goodies or options or that Skoda will move down market with less, the last is not guaranteed of course and people are jumping to conclusions about all this. Conjecture on a forum will have little effect on a company that is selling everything they can produce and some models having nearly a 12 months waiting list. As for VW moaning about Passat losing to Skoda, where is the proof? again a factory working on long back order lists so why would they be upset?

The German marketing philosophy does not acknowledge the word cheap. It simply is to produce a base vehicle with just enough in it to entice a buyer then up sell all the options in the showroom. The Skoda is the odd ball in the group which is not sold using this basis, so expect the Skoda to be aligned with the rest of the group in the next model, strip out all the stuff that can be sold as options and get the customer to pay for the rest. The Skoda must sit at a level below Passat as to raise it to the same level would lead to the demise of one of them and VW would want both to appeal to different segments of the market. You can bet money that either Passat will get more goodies or options or that Skoda will move down market with less, the last is not guaranteed of course and people are jumping to conclusions about all this. Conjecture on a forum will have little effect on a company that is selling everything they can produce and some models having nearly a 12 months waiting list. As for VW moaning about Passat losing to Skoda, where is the proof? again a factory working on long back order lists so why would they be upset?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/forums/p/16358/152961.aspx

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,682530,00.html

Its well known that the big bosses up at VW are seriously annoyed at Skoda's sudden popularity over equivalent VW/Audi models.

The recent economic disaster is probably helping no end as people look to spend less on a new car and realise a Skoda is as well put together, has more equipment and is of course, cheaper than the equivalent VW.

I assume this is for the hatch

Kia Face-Lifeted the Cee'd and Cee'd SW, but NOT the ProCee'd... so maybe a Hatch only up-date. - seem's strange to update the Estate soon soon after launch, and after receiving rave reviews!

Al.

When it does come, expect far less standard equipment and cheaper interior materials. Especially since VAG are not happy that the current superb is taking sales away from the Passat, and they want the Superb to be seen as a cheaper less equipped version rather than better spec'd and cheaper.

Surely no company would be stupid enough to damage sales of a successful product by degrading it in an attempt to boost a less succesful model. They need to work to improve the Passat if they want to stop folk deserting it for the Superb.

Surely no company would be stupid enough to damage sales of a successful product by degrading it in an attempt to boost a less succesful model.

You would think so wouldn't you? ..... but it has already started:

1/ poor quality 'carpet' (felt) now being used

2/ umbrella is now an option rather than std

3/ engine bays no longer painted in body colour

3/ weather strip (rubber seal) now missing down the wings and the slam panel

These are just the first few things that springs to mind, I'm sure there are many more.

Look, folks, we move in our own worlds. In these worlds, every little facelift is another foot in the grave of the car we bought. Every improvement is a damning inditement on the folly that was our last purchase.

The reality is that it is only the specialists (or the subscribers to these forums!) that can notice the difference.

My current car is a BMW 5 series and I know only too well that one major, and two minor, facelifts have occurred since I bought it. Yer punter-in-the-street, however, still comes up to me and tells me how cool it is.

So my advice would be to enjoy your car. You will *always* be able to sell it to someone who appreciates it. Of course, there is always the small matter of price...

Edited 19 February, 201115 yr by skotl

The Passat is not as good as the Superb for 3 reasons

1 - Length, it needs another 3 inches of rear legroom to compete.

2 - Materials, VW seems to think creaking plastics are ok, Skoda doesn't.

3 - Workers, my experience of both models says the Czech guy takes more pride than the German one.

If VW want to keep moving forward they should up the quality of the Passat, they should make it slightly bigger, and they should get a Czech to build it for them, but the real thing they miss here, is that the cars aren't in the same class, the passat is a Mondeo class car, and a Superb is a poor man's E Class/5 Series, if they kill the Superb appeal, they won't gain Passat buyer's, they will lose just out to BMW and Mercedes, you don't buy a Superb to outdo the guy across the roads Mondeo, you buy it cos there is nothing else size wise to compare.

The Passat is not as good as the Superb for 3 reasons

1 - Length, it needs another 3 inches of rear legroom to compete.

2 - Materials, VW seems to think creaking plastics are ok, Skoda doesn't.

3 - Workers, my experience of both models says the Czech guy takes more pride than the German one.

If VW want to keep moving forward they should up the quality of the Passat, they should make it slightly bigger, and they should get a Czech to build it for them, but the real thing they miss here, is that the cars aren't in the same class, the passat is a Mondeo class car, and a Superb is a poor man's E Class/5 Series, if they kill the Superb appeal, they won't gain Passat buyer's, they will lose just out to BMW and Mercedes, you don't buy a Superb to outdo the guy across the roads Mondeo, you buy it cos there is nothing else size wise to compare.

I agree I have a Passat highline and the superb is a way nicer..

This is like waiting for the best laptop. It hasn't been built yet, so go with the best that is available.

I'm sure that I will still be well satisfied with my Superb even after the mk3 appears.

Phil

3 - Workers, my experience of both models says the Czech guy takes more pride than the German one.

Phil above and I are screwed then, as I understand it the 4x4 estates are built in Germany! ;)

Steve

Phil above and I are screwed then, as I understand it the 4x4 estates are built in Germany! ;)

Steve

That must be a first,, A german built Skoda!!!

any more news on the fl superb?

You would think so wouldn't you? ..... but it has already started:

1/ poor quality 'carpet' (felt) now being used

2/ umbrella is now an option rather than std

3/ engine bays no longer painted in body colour

3/ weather strip (rubber seal) now missing down the wings and the slam panel

These are just the first few things that springs to mind, I'm sure there are many more.

4/ The rubber insert fitted to internal door handles is missing from my 2011 Combi, but was present on my 2009 hatchback.

Edited 22 December, 201114 yr by veloplus

4/ The rubber insert fitted to internal door handles is missing from my 2011 Combi, but was present on my 2009 hatchback.

The dumbing down is well under way. There's loads of ways the Mk2 Superb has been dumbed down compared with the Mk1. On my Elegance for example, the Mk2 has no auto dipping interior mirror, no rear heated seats, leather is only half the quality, no "wood" trim, no warning triangle, general trim quality less robust, no standard carpet mats, no spare wheel as standard etc...... On the other hand, compared to the price of my Mk1, I paid not a lot more (VAT free deal, 0% etc) for my 4x4 170 CR Elegance in November 11 than I did for my V6 TDi Mk1 back in December 2005. I suppose something in the car has to give to bridge that gap.

Edited 22 December, 201114 yr by Fred Bloggs