Currently reading: Skoda Rapid and Rapid Spaceback facelifts revealed

Skoda’s hatchback gets new headlights, some styling updates and a new 1.0-litre petrol engine

The new Skoda Rapid and Skoda Rapid Spaceback have been revealed, and are on display at the Geneva motor show.

The hatchbacks, which sit between the Skoda Fabia and the Skoda Octavia in Skoda’s line-up, also get the Volkswagen Group’s turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which is available with either 94bhp or 108bhp. 

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In its lower state of tune, that engine can propel the Rapid from 0-62mph in 11.0sec with 101g/km of CO2 emissions and a claimed fuel economy of 64.2mpg. The 108bhp Rapid does 0-62mph in 9.8sec, emits 104g/km of CO2 and has a claimed fuel economy of 62.7mpg.

The rest of the engine range consists of the existing 1.4-litre petrol, 1.4-litre diesel and 1.6-litre diesel.

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Both the cars get upgraded bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, plus updated tail-light graphics with optional LEDs, as part of tweaked front and rear ends.

The Rapid also now gets high-beam assist, as well as new 15in, 16in and 17in alloys.

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There are some changes inside the Rapid, including new inlays on the doors and some redesigned switchgear. It also gets a a wi-fi hotspot for passengers' devices, which uses Skoda Connect services including live traffic information. There are also now two USB ports in the rear.

Updates to the Rapid follow similar tweaks to the Octavia and Citigo.

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80sXS 23 February 2017

Never heard of it until the other day

I've recently been on the lookout for an estate as the family has a new addition and a Rapid Spaceback popped up in one of my searches. Up until then I thought the Rapid name was last used on the 1980s fastback!
xxxx 22 February 2017

more pointless

Having 2 diesel engines, just read the cheaper petrol 1.0 litre specs. Drop one of the diesel engines and give us a 1.8tfsu then I'd be interested, a baby vRS Octavia
Daniel Joseph 22 February 2017

Pointless?

The Spaceback, in particular, seems a bit pointless: more expensive than a Fabia Estate, with less boot space with the rear seats either up or down. It also looks a bit "hunchbacked", IMHO.