SCOOP: Facelifted 2012 Skoda Superb and Octavia Snapped Testing in the Alps

While the Volkswagen Group is keeping itself busy with new introductions such as the VW brand's Up! and the soon-to-be launched Skoda MissionL (albeit under a different name), the company has not forget about its current portfolio and is working on improving its offerings in all segments.

This time, our team of spy photographers snagged the 2012 Skoda Superb facelift in sedan form undergoing testing in the Alps.

Skoda's engineers had the front and rear ends of the cars covered up to hide the styling tweaks, but it seems that the Superb will gain a similar front end treatment to the MissionL concept with a slightly longer grille, revised headlamps and a redesigned bumper with a large opening that encompasses the lower set of lights.

Comparable changes are expected at the back with new tail lamps (possibly with LEDs) and a re-sculptured bumper.

In one of the spy pictures, we also spotted a camouflaged Skoda Octavia Combi (that would be the silver car you see in the spy pictures below). Apparently, even though the Czech automaker refreshed the Octavia in late 2008, it is preparing another facelift for its compact model.

The changes that we can see on the Octavia prototype include a revised front end with a new bumper that sports the same styling cues as the MissionL Concept and the 2012 Superb.

PHOTO GALLERY

Volvo Says Dankeschön to Germans for Ranking the Brand First in Customer Satisfaction

We'll have to wait and see if and when an American carmaker will provide an appropriate answer to Audi's new A6 commercial, but meanwhile here's a fresh and rather witty TV spot from Volvo that thanks German drivers for making the Swedish company the number 1 brand for customer satisfaction in Germany.

Cleverly, the Swedes also say Dankeschön (thank you in German) to the country's car manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Opel, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Porsche for their...participation, and all this under the beautiful sounds of Bert Kaempfert's famous tune, "Danke Schoen".

Video follows below.

Dankeschön for the tip, Arne D.!

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IAA 2011: Skoda MissionL Concept Previews New Compact Sedan [Updated Gallery]

Skoda MissionL

Czech car manufacturer and member of the VW Group, Skoda, is on a…mission at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to preview its upcoming compact sedan model with a close to production ready concept car named MissionL.

The production model will be positioned between the smaller Fabia and the larger Octavia challenging the likes of the Focus sedan in Europe, Russia, China, and India. Skoda said the as-of-yet unnamed compact sedan will launch in India by the end of 2011 and the rest of the world in the beginning of next year.

“We have taken a very pure approach to this design study – we have structured the surfaces simply, but impressively,” says Skoda Board of Directors Member for Technological Development Eckhard Scholz.

“The car has a strong, sporty look which conveys a beautiful simplicity and a youthful and contemporary appearance. Many people look for clean, minimalistic lines, and the MissionL concept offers all that,” Scholz added.

Albeit Skoda makes no mention in the teaser press release, given the positioning of the model as well as certain details of the design, it appears that the MissionL is the Czech variant of the VW Jetta.

Skoda has not yet released any information on the car's specifications but future buyers should expect the usual mix of diesel and gasoline engines found throughout the Volkswagen Group.

“This premiere kicks off ŠKODA's model offensive for the coming years," said Skoda Board Chairman, Winfried Vahland. “This new compact model, along with other new products to follow, will enable us to accomplish our goal of increasing global annual sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018. We are going to present a new car approximately every six months over the next few years.”

PHOTO GALLERY:

IAA 2011: Skoda MissionL Concept Previews New Compact Sedan

Czech car manufacturer and member of the VW Group, Skoda, is on a…mission at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to preview its upcoming compact sedan model with a close to production ready concept car named MissionL.

The production model will be positioned between the smaller Fabia and the larger Octavia challenging the likes of the Focus sedan in Europe, Russia, China, and India. Skoda said the as-of-yet unnamed compact sedan will launch in India by the end of 2011 and the rest of the world in the beginning of next year.

“We have taken a very pure approach to this design study – we have structured the surfaces simply, but impressively,” says Skoda Board of Directors Member for Technological Development Eckhard Scholz.

“The car has a strong, sporty look which conveys a beautiful simplicity and a youthful and contemporary appearance. Many people look for clean, minimalistic lines, and the MissionL concept offers all that,” Scholz added.

Albeit Skoda makes no mention in the teaser press release, given the positioning of the model as well as certain details of the design, it appears that the MissionL is the Czech variant of the VW Jetta.

Skoda has not yet released any information on the car's specifications but future buyers should expect the usual mix of diesel and gasoline engines found throughout the Volkswagen Group.

“This premiere kicks off ŠKODA's model offensive for the coming years," said Skoda Board Chairman, Winfried Vahland. “This new compact model, along with other new products to follow, will enable us to accomplish our goal of increasing global annual sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018. We are going to present a new car approximately every six months over the next few years.”

Photo Gallery:

IAA 2011: Live Photos from the VW Group's Frankfurt Preview Event

VW Frankfurt

The Volkswagen Group has readied a little something for everyone at this year's 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, from the tiny Audi Urban concepts and the production VW Up!, to the striking Seat IBL study and the brand new Porsche 911. At a special preview event in Frankfurt, the VW Group rolled out some of its most important goods including the new Bentley Continental GTC, the limited edition Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 ST Trofeo, the Audi RS5 facelift and A2 Concept,while the Germans even brought along the bespoke Bugatti Veyron L'or Blanc.

Hop over the jump to check out a high-resolution gallery with more than 70 photos.

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