Skoda chases police sales with new Superb as it keeps faith in dying large-car class

Skoda Australia is chasing police forces with its contemporary Fantastic sedan and wagon, along with to a mini revival of the dying sizable-automobile phase.

The fourth-generation Fantastic arrives as one of correct three sizable autos provided under $70,000 RRP, joining the entry-level Lexus ES (from $65,540) and single-spec Honda Accord (from $64,900).

Skoda’s entrant is the handiest non-hybrid, powered by a 195kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol linked to the engine authentic in the VW Golf GTI and Skoda Octavia RS.

“We survey an alternative owing to the past phase size [of large cars],” acknowledged Skoda Australia boss Lucie Kuhn.

Kuhn referenced a chart showing that while the sizable-automobile phase under $70,000 had plummeted since 2014, sales of $70K-plus sizable autos had remained somewhat stable.

“We also survey alternative with emergency companies, in particular the police who need autos with a low sign nevertheless also excessive tempo [capability].”

The contemporary Fantastic sits at the crossover level of the under/over $70K sign, priced from $67,990 sooner than on-dual carriageway costs for the liftback sedan and from $69,690 for the wagon.

Basically the most helpful alternatives are a $1900 panoramic sunroof (wagon handiest) and ‘top class’ metal paint charged at $770.

Costs like elevated by $2400 over the feeble model nevertheless Skoda says the contemporary Fantastic provides typical aspects with a sign it areas at $8500.

Unique aspects embody entrance seats with heating, air float and rubdown capabilities, heated rear seats, head-up display, typical metal paint is now typical, and expanded driver-lend a hand methods embody automobile-exit warning, emergency guidance lend a hand, online page online page visitors-stamp recognition, and Scuttle Aid semi-self sustaining guidance.

Plenty of principal inclusions are adaptive suspension, 19-ride alloy wheels, ‘Matrix’ LED adaptive headlights, 13-ride infotainment touchscreen, 10-ride digital driver cluster, heated guidance wheel, dual-level customisable LED interior lights, tri-zone climate control, wi-fi smartphone connectivity, and a 12-speaker Canton audio system.

The Fantastic is but again provided in Sportline stunning handiest, which brings various gloss-sunless finishes to exterior components including the grille, mirror caps and, for the wagon, roof rails.

A sole drivetrain is provided for now – a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol powering all four wheels by a seven-tempo dual-take hold of auto. It’s in fact the identical engine authentic in the VW Golf GTI hot-hatch and Skoda Octavia RS, though it delivers a further 30Nm in the Fantastic.

Skoda quotes 0-100km/h acceleration events of 5.6 and 5.9 seconds respectively for the liftback and wagon, making the most contemporary Fantastic a few tenths faster than sooner than.

Fuel consumption also improves a exiguous – from 8.0 to 7.7L/100km (liftback) and from 8.1 to 7.8L/100km (wagon).

Skoda Australia is decided to introduce a skedaddle-in hybrid Fantastic in early 2026, a variant that will combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor for an EV using fluctuate of extra than 100km and decrease legit gas consumption. The Kodiaq seven-seater is also planned to catch the PHEV likelihood in the community.

The Fantastic wagon is fractionally shorter in size than the liftback nevertheless supplies noteworthy extra boot condominium – 634 versus 589 litres – thanks to its longer, flatter roofline.

Fantastic sales registered their lowest full-one year resolve in 2024, with correct 153 objects. The sizable automobile’s easiest one year changed into once 984 objects in 2017, the one year Holden stopped constructing the Commodore.