2014 Skoda Superb | new car sales price

Less aims to mean more with the revised Skoda Superb sedan and wagon.

A nip, a tuck and deletions headline the changes to Skoda's flagship Superb range.

The large-car range has lost its all-wheel drive variant, along with it the lesser turbo diesel and the petrol V6.

A lack of buyer interest in those drivetrains prompted the change but Skoda hasn't ruled out a return to all-wheel drive if demand returns.

Pricing has dropped on some models by as much as $2500 and the premium for the wagon is a flat $1700.

The Ambition 118TSI sedan starts from $31,990 (down from $33,990) and the petrol Elegance variant have dropped from $42,490 to $39,990. The diesel 125TDI is $44,990, a $500 increase.

The drivetrain changes take place under a tweaked exterior, with the stylists giving the nose and tail a once-over.

Snout changes include a new bonnet, bumper and grille with repositioned and revamped Skoda logo, flanked by redesigned headlights, which are now bi-xenon on the Elegance model, and LED running lights and indicators.

The rump has also had its lines cleaned up and given the 'cubist triangle" look and the light treatment has been altered in design and light-source (now LED). Bootlid operation has been simplified too.

Engine mapping changes, brake energy recovery and stop-start fuel-saver setup have cut fuel consumption - the 1.8-litre turbo (118kW/250Nm) claims a combined figure of 7.2L/100km (down from 7.3L).

The 2.0-litre turbo diesel (125kW/350Nm) claims 5.5L (previously 6.2L). The gearbox choices areunchanged. Both engines come standard with twin-clutch automated manuals - petrol power gets a seven-speeder and diesel buyers get six speeds. The Superb range has the latest auto-parking technology, standard on the Elegance along with heated and power-adjustable front and rear leather seats, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, USB and Bluetooth input, nine airbags and five-star ANCAP rating.

Elegance models also have tyre pressure monitor, satnav, 30GB hard-drive and 10-speaker audio. An optional $700 Driver Pack adds keyless entry and start and driver fatigue detection.The Superb has ample interior space. The sedan has 565L of cargo volume (1835L with rear seats folded) and the wagon 603L and 1670L.