Skoda has announced that its new Superb iV plug-in hybrid – the firm’s first electrified model – has entered production.
The manufacturer has had to spend €12m (£10.64m) adapting the plant in Czech Republic to deal with building electrified models. These plug-in hybrid versions of the Superb will be built on the same production line as regular combustion models at the factory in Kvasiny.
Michael Oeljeklaus, head of production and logistics at Skoda, said: “The beginning of serial production of the Skoda Superb iV is a major step towards the future.
“Over the past few months, we have rigorously made the provisions required to begin manufacturing our first plug-in hybrid at the Kvasiny plant. Today is therefore also the result of a great team effort.”
The Skoda Superb iV was unveiled earlier in the year as the brand’s first ever PHEV at the same time as the Citigo-e iV, which is also important as Skoda’s first EV.
The new Superb iV sits on the same platform as the standard car, and uses the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen Passat GTE. It sees a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor to produce a combined 218bhp. Skoda claims it can travel 35 miles on electric power alone, or for nearly 580 miles in tandem with the petrol engine.
See Available Superb deals
Full pricing for the Skoda Superb iV has not yet been announced, though Skoda has said it will be offered in various trim levels – such as Sportline and top-spec L&K. The Superb is expected to arrive in the UK at the start of 2020, with order books opening later in 2019.
