Skoda's 2009 Superb Coming to India

The new generation Škoda Superb is most likely to reach Indian shores by early 2009. Longer and wider than the earlier generation Superb , the car features an aggressively styled front end with BMW inspired headlamps and design cues borrowed from the Volkswagen Passat which is already on sale in India . The Superb’s long list of features include adaptive cornering headlamps, a new electronic air conditioning system, automatic parking assist and nine airbags along with Skoda's new 'Twindoor' design for the boot which offers users the standard boot opening of a saloon or the fully opening rear of a hatch.

It would be interesting to see which engine variants make it to India as the Skoda Superb featues a varied range in international markets which include the 1.9 litre and 2.0 litre turbodiesels , 1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol engines, and a 3.6-litre V6 topping the range with standard four-wheel drive and six-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The new superb is most likely to be sold alongside the current generation model albeit at a higher price, being Skoda’s latest offering in the luxury D-segment of the Indian car market.

If priced right (Rs. 18-20 lakh) the new Superb could turn out to be more popular alternative to the just launched 2008 Honda Accord which is set to dominate the D segment sales as of now.

Skoda to launch C-segment sedan in 2009

Autocar UK reports that sources in Skoda have revealed that by 2009 end we would see a c-segment sedan from skoda which would compete with the likes of Chevrolet aveo,Honda city,Suzuki sx4 etc..When it would come to India[if at all] is unknown but given the importance skoda is giving to the Indian market this new c-segment saloon is a very likely possibility.This sedan is an all new platform and VW plan to share the platform for its sedan for the US markets.

Remember skoda have talked about launching eight new models in our markets in the next five years and a c segment sedan is a major opportunity for increasing sales especially a diesel.And with Skoda not launching the Fabia sedan version this new C-segment sedan makes all the more sense.

Another car which I am not sure if it would head to the Indian markets is the Sharan seven seater MPV from Skoda which is expected by 2010.But such a vehicle does make sense even for the Indian market.

While I have talked about the Fabia combi in previous posts,there is talk that the skoda yeti could also be in India by 2010.Apart from that there is the new small car[placed lower than the fabia with a price tag between Rs. 3-5 lakhs] and based on the VW Up concept platform also expected in a couple of years[around 2011].

One car which is expected in the Indian markets the skoda roomster is all set for a major makeover in 2011.Hopefully skoda decide to give us the newer version not the two cars fixed together with glue version.

All in all by 2011 Skoda is expected to be a major player in the automobile sector.