New Skoda Superb Sedan Mule Spied, Still Not Wearing The Production Body

Skoda is quietly working on a new generation of the Superb flagship which will be closely related to the next VW Passat for Europe. Following the sighting of a Skoda Superb Combi mule in September 2021, our spy photographers caught a new one, this time based on a Superb sedan.

The fact that Skoda is using the body of the current Skoda Superb with camouflaged front and rear ends sporting slightly different bumper designs shouldn’t trick us into believing they are working on another facelift. After all, the third-generation Superb was originally introduced back in 2015 and has already received its mid-life update in 2019. Thus, under the familiar-looking body panels of the pictured mule lies an all-new model set to arrive in 2023.

Unlike the Passat which is expected to morph into a liftback, Skoda will most likely retain both the sedan and the combi bodystyle flavors of the Superb. We expect the largest model in Skoda’s lineup to integrate the new “Modern Solid” design language announced last March with a mysterious SUV teaser. Still, don’t expect it to be the most radical design of the Skoda range, since its customer base is rather conservative.

Both the Skoda Superb and the VW Passat will be based on an evolved version of the MQB platform. They will be available with mild-hybrid petrol (eTSI), diesel (TDI), and plug-in hybrid powertrains (eHybrid / iV), leaving the fully electric option for other models in the VW Group lineup. Still, the improved efficiency of the PHEVs will allow an EV range of up to 62 miles (100 km) which is more than enough for the daily needs of most drivers.

We expect to learn more about the fourth generation Skoda Superb as we move closer to its debut in 2023, as prototypes wearing the production body could make their appearance before the end of 2022. The model will be produced in VW Group’s factory in Bratislava, Slovakia, alongside the VW Passat.