The Superb is the flagship of Skoda’s range and a budget-friendly large family car offering class-leading rear legroom combined with VW Group’s platform, engines, and technology. Despite many manufacturers axing passenger cars to focus on SUVs, Skoda is developing a new generation of the Superb for a rumored 2023 market launch. Luckily, our spy photographers have caught an early development mule for the first time during testing in the European Alps.

As we can see from the profile, the car is wearing a current-generation Superb Combi body, with camouflage on both the front and the rear end. It is also fitted with LED lighting units taken from the facelifted Superb, and a redesigned bumper featuring vertical side inlets.

Also read: 2020 Skoda Superb Looks Familiar But Sports New Tech, 10 Powertrain Options

Similar openings on the sides of the bumper directing airflow to the front wheelarches can be found in the Fabia, Scala, Kamiq, and facelifted Kodiaq. In the new Superb, Skoda is testing a significantly taller and more pronounced version. At the back, we can see two tailpipes hidden below the rear bumper, hinting at an ICE-powered version.

Speaking of powertrain options, the new Superb is going to share its engine range and underpinnings with the next-generation Volkswagen Passat (B9) which is also rumored for a 2023 launch. The D-Segment models will be based on a stretched version of the MQB platform and they will be offered in plug-in hybrid variants with an electric range of up to 62 miles (100 km). The 2.0 TDI diesel might live on in FWD and AWD versions, alongside the 2.0 TSI petrol and possibly the 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid.

See Also: 2023 VW Passat To Morph Into A Liftback, Offer Diesel Power In Europe?

The current third-gen Superb was launched back in 2015 and received a facelift in 2019. This included the introduction of the crossover-style Scout and the plug-in hybrid Superb iV. Between 2001 and 2019, Skoda had sold more than 1,280,600 units of the Superb in sedan and estate (aka Combi) form.

The fourth generation Superb is expected to launch in 2023, concluding the eight-year lifecycle of its predecessor. Fully camouflaged production-bodied prototypes should start appearing in early 2022, bringing us closer to the real thing. In any case, the brand’s designers will take an evolutionary approach in terms of exterior design, retaining a subtle yet imposing look for their flagship.

2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body
2023 Skoda Superb Test Mule Spied Wearing The Current Model’s Combi Body

Image Credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops