Looks like an A3

Yeah, I thought that too.

 

You could probably argue that the Spaceback is dull because it's a clone of that rounded hatchback shape that most the manufacturers go for these days, Golf, A3, Astra, i30, Cee'd etc. but to me, the Spaceback looks like a much better effort at the Rapid, maybe even what the first one should have been? I think I was deflated a bit to see Skoda play the 10%-Photoshop-shrink/expand game with the Rapid/Mk3 Octavia/FL Superb.

So are they going to bother with a Fabia III after launching this; given it's based on current Polo underpinnings and if so will it out grow the Rapid hatchback :wonder:

 

 

TP

Looks pretty smart, I would have one decked on a set of 18's if I hadn't already got this one...

Shown my Rapid to a few cab drivers this morning and they think it's great.

 

I'm told the local taxi firm who currently have a large fleet of elderly Mk1 Octavias have been looking at replacing them with Rapids.

Urgh.........  nothing, but nothing worse than a fixed sunroof.  You get all the heat gain but alas can't get rid of it.  Some cars like the Passat CC and current Scirocco have roofs that can't open (by sliding back) BUT they can tilt for this very reason.

 

 

I don't agree. as they are heavily tinted they don't really heat the cabin more than a normal roof. Certainly didn't on the Roomster.

 

It agree might be nice to have the option of opening though.

 

Don't think it's fair to call this staid either. It might have been nice if it was a more clearly hatchback shape as this still looks quite estate-y but on the other hand that will give better visibility around the c-pillar area.

 

Can't say it looks any more staid than a Golf for example though.

 

Think of it as a Skaudi A3

 

Think of it as a Skaudi A3

 

LOL.  I like that.  A Škaudi.

 

Think of it as a Skaudi A3

 

Good effort sir

So are they going to bother with a Fabia III after launching this; given it's based on current Polo underpinnings and if so will it out grow the Rapid hatchback :wonder:

 

 

TP

 

Maybe the Fabia wil be better and this will be the budget option.

So are they going to bother with a Fabia III after launching this; given it's based on current Polo underpinnings and if so will it out grow the Rapid hatchback :wonder:

 

 

TP

 

Fabia 3 will still be smaller than this and also on MQB so it will have it's own raison d'etre.

Fabia 3 will still be smaller than this and also on MQB so it will have it's own raison d'etre.

 

It'll be very interesting to see what they do with the new Fabia or how the Rapid moves on over the next year.

Because I can't see the new mkIII Fabia using all the same old stuff inside like the current one, which has been passed on to the Rapid.

For the Rapid to keep pace and be slightly bigger, it will also need to up it's game in terms of interior bits and bobs.  So early life refresh maybe?

The new Fabia will be 250-300 mm shorter than the Spaceback so an altogether smaller car, even if on more modern underpinnings.

The new Fabia will be 250-300 mm shorter than the Spaceback so an altogether smaller car, even if on more modern underpinnings.

That would make it about the same as it is now then if my maths is right. Hope they don't get carried away adding to the waistline instead, most modern cars are already far to wide for back lanes and car parks.

 

 

TP

That would make it about the same as it is now then if my maths is right. Hope they don't get carried away adding to the waistline instead, most modern cars are already far to wide for back lanes and car parks.

 

 

TP

and garages. My Dad must be one of the few people in the country who actually keeps his car in the garage. He's looking to find a replacement for his pre-facelift MkII Octy Estate, and is having real trouble finding something big enough on the inside that isn't too wide on the outside. Golf, Focus, Octy 3, A-Class all too wide.

That was one of the reaons we got the Yeti in the first place.

It's a good fit for a modern (small) garage.

That's one of the reasons for my interest in the Spaceback. I have a choice between using my garage and parking on the street, and I really want to avoid the latter if at all possible. And to think I used to happily put a Montego in the garage - that shows just how much cars have grown, especially widthways.

 

About the narrowest Golf-class car is actually the BMW 1-series.

One of the reasons I was quite happy to buy a Rapid actually - more than big enough on the inside, but not excessively wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nobody's commented on the interior yet... I thought the dash strip, 3 spoke wheel and what looks like part-leather seats gave it a nice lift.

Nobody's commented on the interior yet... I thought the dash strip, 3 spoke wheel and what looks like part-leather seats gave it a nice lift.

 

Yes I particularly like the colour coding of the dash trim with the wheel trim, oh an the new style vRS pedel covers.

 

 

TP

Elegance comes with vrs style pedals. Mines got em

Must say I do like it.

Nobody's commented on the interior yet... I thought the dash strip, 3 spoke wheel and what looks like part-leather seats gave it a nice lift.

Doesn't look that different to me.

They've just coloured a few bits in and added leather (vinyl?) to the seat bolsters.

New 3 spoke steering wheels now too. Those seats are like what you can get in eu - two tone vinyl?

I have to say I love it. This will be a serious contender when it comes to changing mine.

I really don't want to say this..but it looks fat in that image...doesn't really show its full potential! I'm sure it will look better in the metal...just saying!  

 

Maybe the ibiza is a bit of a fattest comment too far!