Skoda has unveiled the Rapid at the Paris motor show – a family hatch aimed at the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus and starting with a budget price of £12,900 at launch on 12 November this year.
The Skoda Rapid introduces the brand's new design language, initiated by the Vision D concept and characterised by a four-lamp headlight, trapezoidal fog lights and monochrome Skoda badge mounted on the bonnet.
Included in the model's engine line-up are seven units. From launch there will be four petrol engines, ranging in power output from 74 to 121bhp. Initially, only a 104bhp 1.6-litre diesel will be available, although this will be joined by an 88bhp variant after a year. Skoda's usual three trim levels (S, SE and Elegance) will be applied to the new car.
The Rapid’s long wheelbase and torsion beam rear axle are said to create cabin and boot space larger than the Octavia, as the latter is expected to move further upmarket in its next generation.
Production of the Rapid began last month at the Skoda's Czech Republic plant. Pricing starts from £12,900 for the 74bhp 1.2-litre model in base S trim, ranging to £17,850 for the Rapid 1.6 TDI CR in Elegance trim.
Read our Skoda Rapid first drive for more insight.
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Ice Scraper..
I like the new Skoda 'face', it looks a lot more upmarket.
Their simply clever slogan has been applied to the Rapid too, so far I've found it has a built in ice scraper within the fuel filler cap!
http://www.rapidownersclub.co.uk/forum/ice-scraper_topic19.html
Replacement for my Bora
I like this a lot. This car is perfect for when I buy a brand new replacement for my Bora. Certainly not a beautiful car but quite a clean design and classy in it's own way. And torsion beam is fine with me, should be a lot more sturdy if keeping the car for a long time, and if I want fun I'll get that on my bike.
Just hoping they put the very efficient version of the 1.6 TDI in it that you get in the Audi A1...?!
oaffie wrote: Just hoping
This power unit has been the subject of much criticism for NVH in certain publications and, judging from my experience of the related power plant in Octavias, not without reason.
VW do not want to lose Golf
VW do not want to lose Golf sales to the Rapid so it gets a torsion beam in a class which is increasingly moving to multi link rear suspension.It is a move similar to Honda with the Civic.Look how that did not work out very well.