[jalsa777]

The Skoda Superb now gets a new base variant, the Ambition. Actually, it's hardly a "base" variant!




Pricing (ex-showroom, Delhi):
Petrol: Rs. 18 Lakh
Diesel: Rs. 22.5 Lakh

The Superb has been leading the D2 sedan segment since the time of its launch in 2009. It's average sales have been 274 a month from January 2011 through March 2012. The Ambition variant's lower price point could just drive sales further, and provide a mid-life boost for the vehicle. The next gen Superb is expected only by Q4, 2013.

The Ambition is available with both, the 1.8 TSI petrol engine (160 BHP @ 4500-6200 rpm, 250 Nm @ 1500-4500 rpm) and the 2.0 TDI oil-burner (140 BHP @ 4200 rpm, 320 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm). The petrol Ambition gets a 6-speed manual transmission (no DSG), while the diesel gets only the 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

What is missing in the Ambition compared to the Elegance?

Surprisingly, very less has changed. Only the absolute extras have been removed. The Ambition does retain the dual-zone climatronic A/C, retractable sun-screens, rain sensing auto wipers, rear footrest, umbrella in the rear door etc. As does the safety kit which includes 8 airbags, fog lamps with cornering function, Traction Control, ABS with EBD, Anti Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential lock, auto-dimming rear view mirror et al.

Here the list of missing items as compared to the Elegance trim:

• Bi-Xenon Headlamps (gets Projectors only)
• Sunroof
• Proximity sensors at the front
• Touch screen music system with 6 CD changer (gets a normal music system with a single CD changer, speakers remain the same)
• Bluetooth & steering mounted audio controls
• Headlamp washers
• Cruise control
• Hill hold and descent functions
• Tyre Pressure Monitor

0% interest on 2011 manufactured cars:

Skoda also announced a 0% interest scheme. This is applicable only to 2011 manufactured Superbs and Lauras (petrol Laura only). I don't think it makes sense to go for these vehicles which have seen lying in the stockyards for more than 4 months now. If you want to buy new, well, buy new only!

Some pictures of the Skoda Superb Ambition:

Externally, nothing has changed except for the alloys:


All the external chrome bits remain intact:


Chrome-tipped exhaust:


No proximity sensors up at the front:


Projector head-lamps. No head lamp washers:


5-spoke alloy design, instead of the 8 spoke. Same 16 inch size:


Spoiler:


Leather-wrapped gear knob:


No touch screen here:


The faux-wood finish remains:


12-way adjustable driver & front passenger seats. The driver's seat comes with 3 programmable memory functions:


No steering-mounted audio controls and no cruise control either:


No sunroof:




Umbrella in the rear door:


Lots of leg-room. Seats come with Nappa leather upholstery:


12V socket for rear passengers:


8 Airbags:


Foot-rest for rear passengers:


Turn indicators on the ORVMs:


Chrome lining on the doors frames:

[dkaile]

Skoda launches Superb Ambition
This new variant is available with both petrol and diesel engine options.

Apr 18, 2012

Skoda has added a more affordable variant to the Superb called the Ambition. This variant comes with a 1.8-litre TSI petrol mated to a six speed manual gearbox and a 2.0-litre diesel engine with a 6-speed DSG transmission.

The Superb Ambition is equipped with projector headlamps (in halogen) with cornering function instead of the bi-xenon units found in the upper-spec Elegance variant. On the inside, the Superb Ambition loses the Elegance’s touchscreen and also gets a single-CD player with MP3 instead of the 6-CD changer on the higher variant.

However, the Superb Ambition trim retains all the safety features offered on the Elegance including eight airbags, ABS, EBD, ASR (Anti-Slip regulation), TCS (Traction Control system) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). Available with both petrol and diesel engine options, the Superb Ambition gets a six speed manual for the Petrol and a DSG auto ‘box for the diesel variant. This variant does not get a tyre-pressure monitor.

The Superb Ambition petrol is priced at Rs 18.6 lakh (ex-showroom Maharashtra) and Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) while the diesel variant is priced at Rs 22.5 lakh (ex-showroom Maharashtra) and Rs 22.07 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Edit: The new differential feature list is now online on it's site - http://www.skoda-auto.co.in/ind/mode.../Features.aspx

It also features
- Moon alloys instead of Spectrum;
- No chrome cover for headlight washer and No headlight washers;
- Halogen projector headlights with manual levelling;
- No AFS;
- No HHC;
- No TPM;
- No ESP;
- No Parktronic at the front;
- No Sunroof;
- No KESS - Keyless Entry and Start Stop System/Button (now introduced in the Elegance);
- Non Touchscreen Music System;
- No Audio Controls on Steering
- No SD Card Support
- No Bluetooth on Stereo
- Lesser spec Maxidot with minimal controls
- No Cruise Control
- No Lamella (latex rubber) cover on front cup holders

BUT Yes, the fabled Skoda Umbrella is there...

[dkaile]

They have also now, in effect, killed the 3.6L V6. Their brochure and website states availability in only 4 colours now - Black, White, Rosso and Amethyst.

Brochure (detailing the feature list) is attached

So, as I had informed a few posts earlier, only the KESS comes in the upgrade for the Elegance and lots of features are removed for the cost, for the Ambition.

Price List (Ex-Delhi) -

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Indian Car Scene. Thanks for sharing!

[n.devdath]

The Superb now becomes an even more VFM proposition with the Ambition (Or is it the Ambiente?) being offered in both the Petrol and Diesel variants. I wouldn't be surprised if this is purchased a 5 star hotel cab too, in large numbers.

With the Superb inching so close to the Laura L&K variant, we could see more L&K features being added to the lower variants of the Laura.

Skoda now has the 10-25 lac sedan segment completely covered.

[ethanhunt123]

Tasty. Superb was already a "Superb" VFM offering and this just adds cherry to the cake. I hope this means Skoda will move Laura's pricing a bit downwards :-)

[dkaile]

Great Pictures Jalsa777. Now if we can squeeze out some discounts from them (maybe some months down the line) it will be a quite VFM product. At this price however, which will be somewhere near to 19.5L on road Delhi, it does seem a tad more with the features they have cut (especially after having got my fully loaded Elegance for 18.4L on-road but with heavy discounts).

Great initiative however from Skoda. Just hoping they streamline their service network a little more to commensurate the great products they are launching.

[Santoshbhat]

Wow! With the Ambition variant, the already vfm Superb becomes even more so. Makes SUPERB sense in every sense of the word. Makes not just the Passat and Jetta look terribly overpriced, but also Skoda's very own Laura

[VW2010]

@Santoshbhat

If not for the rear space the car is actually looking over priced to me. @22l Ex showroom the car has been stripped of features not just cosmetic but also some on safety and more.

The more i read about Superb the more i feel my 2010 Jetta lacks the rear space and bluetooth while the rest of the features are pretty standard and i paid 18L on road.

I still feel the top end petrol of Superb is VFM than the ambient version.

If space is not a constraint i will look at a passat or a Jetta top end petrol variant over this ambient.

[nandishpal]

is the car raised a little bit than the ambiente version,lot of gap in the wheel arches

[ashis89]

This is a welcome move on the part of Skoda, now the poor man's limo is more accessible. The important part is that Skoda has removed any safety features which is good(a la Honda strategy).

IMO the five spoke alloys give the car a more sporty look and suit it better.

[hrman]

Nice move by Skoda. Now petrol superb makes more sense considering you are saving close to 4 lakhs on the capital cost differential between Diesel.
Now Laura's price should be reduced or more features added to make it a VFM proposition too.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by VW2010

@Santoshbhat

If not for the rear space the car is actually looking over priced to me. @22l Ex showroom the car has been stripped of features not just cosmetic but also some on safety and more.

The petrol Ambition is 18L Ex showroom. However good the diesel is, the refinement of the TSI is something else. The 1.8 TSI is a stonker of an engine too. A 4.5L price difference for the diesel model makes very little sense to be honest. Unless of course one is particular about getting an AT. The chauffeur driven wouldn't mind the MT. And as far as safety features are concerned I don' think a lot has been stripped and most of the essentials have been retained.

Originally Posted by VW2010

The more i read about Superb the more i feel my 2010 Jetta lacks the rear space and bluetooth while the rest of the features are pretty standard and i paid 18L on road.

I still feel the top end petrol of Superb is VFM than the ambient version.

If space is not a constraint i will look at a passat or a Jetta top end petrol variant over this ambient.

We are in 2012 so I meant the 2012 Jetta/ Passat . And where is the Jetta or the Passat petrol?

[Karan1981]

Thanks for sharing jalsa777, any idea of improvements in the service part as well? The superb was always a great car except that buyers moved away only for the fear of servicing.

[StarScream]

However tempting, I wouldn't touch a Skoda with a barge pole.