Production of the new Skoda Superb iV plug-in hybrid has started ahead of its 2020 launch. The model will be built at the Kvasiny plant in the East of the Czech Republic, which has undergone a 12 million Euro refurbishment to enable the production of electrified cars.
The new iV will be produced alongside the conventional combustion-powered Superbs in Kvasiny, where just under 400 are produced every day at a rate of one every 198 seconds.
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Of that 400 or so, the plant can currently accomodate for up to 60 PHEV models per day. Beyond the investment in the plant’s infrastructure, the need to cater for electrified tech has also resulted in 40 new jobs.
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The Superb iV is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor. Together, they produce 215bhp and 400Nm of torque, while it can travel in electric-only mode for 35 miles according to the latest WLTP testing procedures.
In addition to the Superb, the Kvasiny plant also produces the Skoda Kodiaq, the Karoq, plus SEAT and Cupra variants of the Ateca. In total, the plant produced over 300,000 cars in 2018, and employs around 9,000 workers.
Skoda’s fully electric models will be produced elsewhere. It’s first full EV, the Citigo iV, is produced in Bratislava, while the firm’s first MEB platform vehicle – expected to be closely related to the Vision iV SUV – will be built in Mladá Boleslav.
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