Skoda will be launching a new car for its existing line and this time it is an estate variant of the Rapid. For over a week Skoda had been previewing this car through various teasers, highlighting the Rapid and Skoda logo and rear head lights of the car on its Facebook page. The teasers were hinting towards a Rapid RS or a Rapid Spaceback. Skoda has now finally unveiled the car and it is the Spaceback! This is an estate variant of Rapid and will make its first public appearance at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show going to be held in September. It will enter the UK market in the month of October 2013.
Rapid marque has been used by Skoda many times since the 1930’s to denote various car models. The tag Rapid first came into existence in the year 1935. This class of Rapid stayed for sometime after the World War. It was called off in the year 1947. Rapid was brought to the market again in the year 1984 with a coupe platform. It stayed in the market until 1990. In the year 2011, Rapid marque was brought to India as a VW Vento variant. In the last year Skoda Rapid again made it to the international markets as a hatchback. Now it is the estate variant of this car, Skoda Rapid Spaceback, that is going to be launched this year.
This Spaceback uses the same platform as that of the standard Rapid model and will also have an unchanged wheel base of 2602 mm. The car has modified C and D pillars along with a 3rd side window. This estate variant is about 180 mm shorter than the standard Rapid model but this does not compromise with the comfort of the car. The interior still offers sufficient leg room in the back of about 64 mm. It also offers a head room of about 980 mm which is probably the largest in this class. The car has been given a rear spoiler which adds to the sporty feel of the car.
The luggage carrying capacity of the car has been reduced to 415 litres which is almost a 100 litres less than the standard model. With the rear seats folded away, the capacity is increases to 1380 litres. The most appealing addition made on the Estate variant is its panoramic tinted glass roof that covers up the car from the windscreen to the rear window. This feature is, although, optional.
Talking about the car’s safety parameters, Skoda has equipped the car with Anti-lock Braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), multiple air bags, 3 point seat belts and head restriants which are height adjustable. Fog lights with a cornering feature, Xenon headlamps, hill hold control assist and pressure control system are some of the optional elements for this Spaceback.
Rapid Spaceback will enter the European market with a total of 6 engine options- 2 diesel and 4 gasoline. These engines are capable of giving an output between the range of 74 bhp to 121 bhp. The Greenline variant of this Spaceback will be powered by a TDI engine of 1.6 litre capacity offering an output of 89 bhp. This variant is highly fuel efficient with a fuel consumption of only 3.8 litres for every 100 km. The CO2 emissions will be only a 99g / km.
The car may be priced at 10,500 GBP which is approximately Rs 9.49 lacs. This Europe specific car might not make it to India. But with a closer look at the UK Rapid Spaceback, we sure know what to expect from Skoda with respect to its Indian Rapid.