• Rapid to sit between Fabia and Octavia
• Class-leading space promised
• Clean-cut new design language
New details have been released for the Skoda Rapid, which will sit between the Fabia supermini and Octavia family hatchback in Skoda’s growing range.
It will go up against the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, but is expected to undercut them by several thousand pounds.
Skoda says it will offer more space and better value than its competitors and CEO Winfried Vahland calls it: “the right car at the right time”.
The Czech manufacturer is expecting the market for small saloon cars to increase by 50 per cent in less than a decade, with particularly strong sales in emerging markets including India, China and Russia.
Featuring a new design language, the Rapid “gives out a clear statement at first glance: clear, precise, fresh and emotional,” according to Skoda board member Eckhard Sholz.
It has clear headlamps with two lights either side of the grille and the silver Skoda badge debuting with the Skoda Citigo is now mounted on the bonnet. At the rear, Skoda’s characteristic ‘C’-shaped rear lights flank a simple but strong boot design.
A sharp ‘tornado line’ crease runs along the flanks of the car from the headlights to the tail lights – making the Rapid appear longer – while a scallop in the bottom of the side doors reduces visual weight from the car.
Five petrol and two diesel engines will be available, and while no details have been announced, it’s likely the latter will be a 1.6-litre with fuel economy of more than 60mpg.
Skoda is enjoying great success in the UK, with a record 14,000 new cars sold in the first quarter of 2012. Not only has the brand represented great value products during the recession, but it continues to top customer satisfaction and reliability surveys.
By Andy Goodwin, senior road tester
Watch Live TV Feed
• Class-leading space promised
• Clean-cut new design language
New details have been released for the Skoda Rapid, which will sit between the Fabia supermini and Octavia family hatchback in Skoda’s growing range.
It will go up against the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, but is expected to undercut them by several thousand pounds.
Skoda says it will offer more space and better value than its competitors and CEO Winfried Vahland calls it: “the right car at the right time”.
The Czech manufacturer is expecting the market for small saloon cars to increase by 50 per cent in less than a decade, with particularly strong sales in emerging markets including India, China and Russia.
Featuring a new design language, the Rapid “gives out a clear statement at first glance: clear, precise, fresh and emotional,” according to Skoda board member Eckhard Sholz.
It has clear headlamps with two lights either side of the grille and the silver Skoda badge debuting with the Skoda Citigo is now mounted on the bonnet. At the rear, Skoda’s characteristic ‘C’-shaped rear lights flank a simple but strong boot design.
A sharp ‘tornado line’ crease runs along the flanks of the car from the headlights to the tail lights – making the Rapid appear longer – while a scallop in the bottom of the side doors reduces visual weight from the car.
Five petrol and two diesel engines will be available, and while no details have been announced, it’s likely the latter will be a 1.6-litre with fuel economy of more than 60mpg.
Skoda is enjoying great success in the UK, with a record 14,000 new cars sold in the first quarter of 2012. Not only has the brand represented great value products during the recession, but it continues to top customer satisfaction and reliability surveys.
By Andy Goodwin, senior road tester
Watch Live TV Feed
