You might not be able to spot them at first, but it makes some serious changes. The answer lies in much thicker windows. That’s right, you’re looking at an armored Skoda Superb, something you don’t see every day. It will likely have trim on the doors and probably the front and back. Cars that can take you a bullet (or more) tend to have thicker floors and a few other things like an intercom, fire suppression system, strobe lights, etc. However, we can’t tell you if that’s the case with the Czech-born midsize sedan in the photo, as we simply don’t know.
Now, it may have been born in the Czech Republic, at the Kvasiny factory, but it received its armor and thicker windows further south in Serbia. The company behind it is called Inter-Auto and is based in Belgrade. We took a quick look at their portfolio and discovered that they have other armored vehicles that they are trying to part with. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 doesn’t raise any eyebrows when it comes to ballistic protection, but the Citroen Jumpy does, as does the Renault Kangoo, Volkswagen Caddy, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and an Iveco van. There’s also a Volvo armored truck sitting in its lineup that can take a bullet for its occupants, and it costs almost €215,000 (equivalent to $232,190).
Speaking of Benjamins, you’ll need to shell out €118,400 to buy this Skoda Superb. That’s $127,865 at current exchange rates. And it is not precisely this one, because the seller says that it will be ready in three months after placing the order. A B5 protection will set you back €40,000 ($43,200) at Inter-Auto. This is without taking into account the actual price of the car, which, in this case, was valued at more than €78,000 (almost $85,000). Mind you, that’s a lot of money to pay for any car, let alone a Skoda, but in its defense, you’d be hard-pressed to find a new armored vehicle for that kind of money. If you settle for a used one, you could aim as high as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 or even the Hummer H2.
Photo: Mobile | Intercar
Since we’re still talking about money, we should note that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts at €107,814 ($116,435) in its home market. For about €3,000 ($3,240) more, you can opt for the long-wheelbase model. So for the equivalent of an armored Skoda from Inter-Auto, you can get yourself a well-equipped copy. Either that or two new E classes. In case you forgot, the three-pointed star brand’s flagship sedan comes with an MSRP of $114,500 in the United States. Meanwhile, a new Superb will set you back at least €41,310 ($44,610) in Germany. The most expensive variant is over €56,000 ($60,475). As for the image, you can find it here.
Taking on the likes of the Toyota Camry and Mazda6, as well as its German cousin the Volkswagen Passat, the Skoda Superb comes in two body styles across the pond: liftback and estate. Different petrol engines are available, along with a couple of diesels and a plug-in hybrid. All-wheel drive is reserved for the more expensive versions, while the rest have to make do with front-wheel drive. Transmission options vary depending on the unit selected and include one manual and two automatics.
It may still look relatively modern, but the Superb is an aging product in the company’s lineup. The third generation was launched in 2015, and four years later, it received a mid-cycle update. Skoda is well aware of this, so they are preparing a new generation as we speak. Expected to be introduced in the second half of the year, it will use an updated version of the versatile MQB platform Both body styles will face the new era, and the engine family is understood to meet Euro 7 emissions standards. Look for the usual assortment of petrol mills, joined by perhaps at least one diesel , as oil burners are still popular in Europe. The mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid sets will also join the family.
Visually, it will look like an evolution of its predecessor, getting a new interpretation of the corporate grill, with different LED lights on each side, and a more modern rear. Dual screens will take center stage in the redesigned cabin, with what is expected to be a massive infotainment screen with independent styling. Overall, it should be an interesting proposition in the mid-size segment. It’s a shame that several automakers plan to drop this class entirely, while others have already done so.
