The production version of the forthcoming Skoda Rapid remains faithful to the MissionL concept that preceded it, as these spy photographs of the car prove.
The pictures show an undisguised version of the Ford Focus and VW Golf rival testing at the Nürburgring last week. Skoda’s new car keeps the MissionL’s hatchback-come-saloon body shape, described by the Czech firm as a “compact liftback design”.
Company insiders have hinted that the car — which is designed to fill the significant gap between the Fabia and Octavia in Skoda’s current range — will be revealed officially next month.
The Rapid is scheduled to reach British showrooms towards the end of this year, priced from around £12,000.
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Bargin
Bargin but what are the figues how fast is it has it got a good interer etc
Rapid(e)
The front end disguise is clearly there to make the casual observer mistake it for a current Octavia. If you zoom into the grille/lights, the disguise is all at the top. The finished article will look more like the Mission L Concept with thin rectangular lights & the new corporate grille where the bonnet/badge cuts into the top edge rather like a bird's beak. I love the geometric look - It reminds me of the 2000's Audi designs that were just right.
As to where the Rapid(e) fits into the range, it's a new in-between segment more like a 1-Series or Golf in dimensions (Don't forget that the Octavia has always been stretched larger compared to it's VW donor.) This will allow the next Octavia to grow larger and compete with the Mondeos & Insignias of this world.
If it retains the styling proportions of the Mission L, I for one would buy one. It looks great. The idea of using a combination of the Fabia/Polo pan at the front and the Yeti platform at the back was always going to make a very good and cost effective car.
Although, I did prefer the often suggested name "Lauretta".
The Octavia has always been a
The Octavia has always been a large Golf rival. But if the Rapide fulfils the brief as Skoda's next Golf/Focus rival, and the next generation Octavia does moves up a class to compete with the Mondeo/Passat etc, then if the VW Group plays its cards right then they could see the next Octavia being their cheapest and most cost effective Mondeo rival if they base it on the Golf Mk 7/3rd gen A3 variant of the MQB platform rather than the MQB version of the next Passat.
Mind you, if the Octavia moves up a class for its 3rd gen incarnation, does this mean the next Superb will now become an in house rival for the Audi A6, and may be a cheaper one at that if based on the next, but smaller, Passat/A4?
HighMilerTDi wrote: If it
It will be identical to the MissionL bar a few small details (indicators on the front wings and "normal" door handles. Look on Skoda's facebook page and they have released some teaser shots.
That isn't a production model
That isn't a production model at all, look closely at the lights and badges, it is clearly just a mule. In terms of where it sits that car pictured is just a saloon version of the current Polo 6R.