“Just like with the Passat, one step away.”

The auto industry has always been ruthless. Development costs are enormous, often running into the billions per car. Especially since the very high development costs of electric platforms have to be included in addition to the normal structure, the margins have also become very slim. For non-premium automakers, it’s more difficult. The market can be described as hostile and unpredictable. See also Volkswagen plant closures about the ID range.

Part D terminal industry

The world is also bleak for many manufacturers that have a model in the mid-range D segment. It is a somewhat terminal industry, with fewer clients. After all, their preferences inevitably shifted to SUVs.

Unlike most of its competitors, the Volkswagen Group has had great success with its D-segment offerings in recent years. The Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb were a very convincing offer. The latest iterations of both models are also very well drawn. This, combined with the high level of ease of use and strong residual values, has made them very popular among business and private drivers.

The previous Skoda Superb was introduced in 2014.

But now… with the launch of the eighth generation Passat, it is only available as a replacement version. The Passat sold well, especially as a station wagon. Therefore, customers now looking for a sedan will have to choose a different brand. While the Passat is limited to just one model for 2024, Skoda is still allowed to retain both the hatchback and the combi for its latest Superb model. private.

However, for the latest Passat and Superb models, the Volkswagen Group has chosen to share not only the underbody and drivetrains of these expensive large and medium-sized cars, but also the bodies! Pasorb or sopat? Look for differences. The metal panels are literally convertible, and match perfectly. How sad.

Skoda Superb Combi and Volkswagen Passat Variant look very similar.

Volkswagen Passat in R-line trim.

Given the close similarities between the outgoing Superb and the new one, it seems likely that the 2024 Superb is actually a cosmetic example of the outgoing model. VW used to do this quite often. For example, the Golf VI was a restructuring of the V.

While the Golf VI was a huge improvement aesthetically over the V, that couldn’t be said for the Superb. What a very disappointing and poorly executed post. A weak, energy-free surface was applied to the side. It could be called nondescript and anonymous at best, as the previous Passat and Superb were clearly indistinguishable from each other. Just the typical ones DLO The great level has been maintained. All the smiles and other personality traits have disappeared. As if the designers had deliberately shaved off everything recognizable. also Chart on the road nothing special. The previous Superb was a masterpiece of Skoda design. The result of this design exercise is a car that might just please Wolfsburg’s accountants. They don’t seem to care much anymore.

Of the two models, the Superb seems to fit its new suit somewhat better than its German cousin, but one wouldn’t view the new exterior design as anything other than a big step back from both of the well-painted previous models.