http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/skoda-make-golf-style-rapid-hatch

Yeah has been mentioned a few other times. Looking forward to it and another launch course

Just had a thought; would a 'shortened' Rapid not be in conflict size wise with any forthcoming replacement for the venerable old Fabia or is this the new Fabia III that we are talking about :wonder:

TP

The Fabia 3 is another model. But as the Fabia is quite a bit smaller than a Golf I can't see a problem.

The Fabia 3 is another model. But as the Fabia is quite a bit smaller than a Golf I can't see a problem.

Yes true but the Rapid is a narrower car than the Yeti, which is very similar in size to our previous Golf V (takes up the same space in our garage at any rate). Therefore a shortened Rapid would be smaller than a Golf but bigger than our Fabia II's. As car models evolve they tend to get bigger in 'floor area' (other than the Fabia II; only got taller), hence my bemusement about a short Rapid and a Fabia III at a similar time.

TP

From what they told me the Rapid HB or whatever they may call it is the same size as a Golf, with the larger version being bigger still but not as big as the new Octavia.

Either way there is going to be a lot of models to choose from in the say £12k-£15k braket isn't there. Possibly Fabia, bother versions of Rapid and Octavia all being available in one spec or another. But isn't this the way of the world these days, look at how many VWs all do the same job for similar money. Just a way of expanding the range to get them to the 80,000 vehicles sold target that they are going for by 2015 or whatever it is.

But the Rapid uses the Polo/Fabia floorpan doesn't it so as the plumber mentioned it competes with the Fabia, I know which I would rather have and its not the Fabia

But the Rapid uses the Polo/Fabia floorpan doesn't it so as the plumber mentioned it competes with the Fabia, I know which I would rather have and its not the Fabia

The Indian Rapid does yes. The UK car is a different platform which is new to group.

So a bit of a hybrid then, it still look way better than a Fabia ( well, the mock ups do )

But the Rapid uses the Polo/Fabia floorpan doesn't it so as the plumber mentioned it competes with the Fabia, I know which I would rather have and its not the Fabia

The Mk1 Octy and Audi TT used the same platform but I don't think they competed with one another.

As Tech1e says anyway, the platform is not the same, even if it uses some Fabia elements.

But these are both 5 door hatches of the same brand and similar price

But these are both 5 door hatches of the same brand and similar price

True. I don't see it as a problem though and think it's good that Skoda will be able to offer a bit more choice in the range. They might take some sales off each other but hopefully more so off the opposition, and this won't have taken much money to develop if it's literally a Rapid with the tail chopped off.

Just done a quick comparison of the dimensions of the Rapid & MK1 Octy, as rumours had been that it would be slotted between current Octy / Fabia

Rapid - 4483mm - Length, 1710mm - Wide, 1460mm - Height. ( taken from FB link)

Octy Mk 1 - 4507mm - Length, 1731mm Wide, 1431mm - Height.

So it looks very much like it is very close to the Octy Mk1 size, which is slightly smaller than the current Octy FL

An article on Auto.cz re the short Rapid 'Sport' (my phrase for it anyway).

http://www.auto.cz/skoda-rapid-hatchback-zadi-golfa-68668

TP

Photoshop by Briskoda's very own Leon-y-k of the front/side view of the possible new Rapid hatch:

Photoshop of the rear/side by someone else:

Have to say I really like both images and feel they could be quite realistic as the are based on images of the Rapid with the back chopped off.

Photoshop by Briskoda's very own Leon-y-k of the front/side view of the possible new Rapid hatch:

Photoshop of the rear/side by someone else:

Have to say I really like both images and feel they could be quite realistic as the are based on images of the Rapid with the back chopped off.

Yes should send them to Skoda Auto; would be great to have a Rapid 'Sport' that looked just like that

TP

Supposed to be very close to the Vision D and the Rapid is to the Mission L

Thats a nice butt!

Just got back to the UK from a trip to Delhi - LOADS of Rapids already on the roads and look the size of the MK 1 Octavia and defo more cheaply trimmed up than the current Octy... They look sharp, very V.A.G.y though, and have that look and feel inside in keeping with so many asian market cars are..... nice but basic

Makes me wonder if the forthcoming Octy (off the modular floorplan like the new A3) will be marketed as a more luxury for your size variant , and then start down the road that volvo did over the last decade?

The Indian Rapid is a rebadged VW and is a totally different car to the one we're getting here. They are the same only in name.

I was thinking they should do something like this. A proper golf competitor.

I get it as some people would think the saloons are too long, so it's a proper traditional family hatch.

I like very much. Hope it's as good as the photoshops

I really don't know what to believe anymore regarding the Rapid Sportback/Spaceback but this is the latest according to Whatcar: http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/skoda-rapid-spaceback-set-for-late-2013/264459

Looking at Leons mock ups it looks very A1 - not a bad thing at all. From reading the WhatCar? write up, you could understand Skodas logic behind it. Closer to Golf size in general and probably more appealing than the more family friendly hatchback.

As always though, speculation and Chinese whispers will always be rife - we'll have to wait in anticipation.

The hatch looks great,

It's what should have been launched here first and much more akin to the "sporty" old rapid 136.

I visited Hayselden's in Doncaster yesterday and a salesman confirmed the hatch would be available in around 12 months time so sales of the current Rapid would not be affected.