1.4 TSI manual with a slightly sportier trim level would be excellent, I expect (and would understand) them to only do it with the spaceback though.

Loads more pics of the Spaceback in "real life" here:

 

http://www.autorevue.cz/skoda-rapid-spaceback-poprve-za-volantem--88x-foto-z-italie/ch-49249#articleStart

 

Basic versions aren't doing anything for me (but then basic versions of any car don't really!) but liking the ones with the Style Pack and larger wheels.

Loads more pics here: http://www.auto.cz/skoda-rapid-spaceback-1-2-tsi-jizdni-dojmy-76913/foto?foto=0

 

Loads more pics of the Spaceback in "real life" here:

 

http://www.autorevue.cz/skoda-rapid-spaceback-poprve-za-volantem--88x-foto-z-italie/ch-49249#articleStart

 

Basic versions aren't doing anything for me (but then basic versions of any car don't really!) but liking the ones with the Style Pack and larger wheels.

 

Like the look of the Rallye Green one with stylepack. This is definately becoming my next car. The new Fabia Mk3 has got to besomething to win me over from the Spaceback.

Spaceback in white with Styleplus pack:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice, does look like it's sitting waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy to high on that suspension though!

Like the look of the Rallye Green one with stylepack. This is definately becoming my next car. The new Fabia Mk3 has got to besomething to win me over from the Spaceback.

 

That *IS* a cracking looking car, isn't it.

That *IS* a cracking looking car, isn't it.

 

That *IS* a cracking looking car, isn't it.

 

Sure is! Well I think it looks great! I wonder when Skoda UK will announce prices for the UK market?

Edited 27 September, 201312 yr by threadbear

Very nice, does look like it's sitting waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy to high on that suspension though!

 

I think its a wide angle lens, makes it look odd!

Auto Express review of 90 PS TDi version:

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/rapid/66228/skoda-rapid-spaceback-16-tdi-review

 

Anyone know why we have to wait until January when production has already started?

Another biased review being overly critical of the refined 1.6TDi CR......

This car has only one mistake in my eyes. It's tooo high IMO when I'm looking at the wheel arch. Well, it can be "fixed" but it would be nice if Skoda would give as an option for lower suspension. Based on images I think the Spacebacks with style plus are sitting lower than the ones without style plus packet. Or maybe my eyes are fooling around with me?

 

Interior looks solid and body design is gorgeous as far as I'm concerned (I just love this sporty-back design form A3). Overall it's is a nice looking car with plenty of space on back seats and in the boot. I'm pretty damn sure I will buy it.

New video here that says it's an official Skoda release:

 

http://www.inautonews.com/video-skoda-rapid-spaceback-gets-new-commercial

Prices/specs revealed: http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/skoda-rapid-spaceback-prices-revealed/1214471?

 

Good that they've not bothered with the MPI engine (IMO).

Full list here: http://www.skoda.co.uk/models/Rapid/rapid-spaceback/Pages/rapid-spaceback.aspx

Hmm, about £500 dearer across the board than the equivalent Rapid liftbacks. The 1.2 TSi 105 models are now in the same ballpark as the SEAT Leon SE with the same engine which is a more substantial car, and the 1.4 Hyundai i30 is cheaper. And, as expected, still no manual 1.4

 

Suddenly I don't feel so convinced - may be transferring my attentions elsewhere...

I'd be quite happy with the 1.6 SE, BUT it's towing capacity, if the same as the saloon, is much too low for me.

Very optimistic pricing to me, the SE versions of the Spaceback are £800 more than the equivalent Rapid Liftbacks. And the prices are getting very close to the Seat Leon excluding discounts. I think the Seat Leon wins out every time for me. 

 

Seat Leon 5 Dr 1.2 TSI 105 SE £16970.00

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 1.2 TSI 105PS £16,125.00

 

In the czech republic its been reported that they are doing lots of cheap finance deals. I hope Skoda UK is doing the same here. 

Seat Leon 5 Dr 1.2 TSI 105 SE £16970.00

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 1.2 TSI 105PS £16,125.00

 

The OTR price is actually £16,180, and realistically you have to look at the £16,430 Greentech version for an equivalent spec to the Leon.

 

Priced the same as the liftback it would have made a lot of sense, but it seems Skoda have fallen for their own publicity and pitched it directly against the lower end of the Golf class rather than recognising it for what it is, something in between the Polo and Golf classes.

Good they've dropped the 3-cylinder MPI as that engine was dated and inadequate however I can't quite understand why the other versions are more than the liftback. Was expecting prices to go in the opposite direction. 

 

The £15,480 figure for the 1.2 TSI 86 SE seems a bit high when compared to the competition, even inside VAG. An Audi A1 Sportback SE with the same engine runs in at £14,735 OTR. At the other end of the scale a Fabia Estate SE also with the same engine is £13,000.

 

Will be interesting to see how it gets on. 

Skoda's are getting far far to expensive I feel; colleague has recently been looking for a newer motor and one of his considerations was a used BMW 320D SE with full leather etc. 10 months old, 11,000 miles and from a main dealer at £19,000.

 

Maybe I should suggest a new Rapid Spaceback Elegance 1.6TDI Greentech instead to save £360

 

 

TP

You can't really start comparing new cars with used TP, that's not a level playing field however much it "makes sense" in the real world.

 

I think SUK are trying to muddy the waters by not having the same equipment levels on Spaceback vs. liftback. I think they should have kept the spec levels and prices the same.

Yes your right of course, however Skoda are in danger of loosing new car orders from customers like myself. Even their used prices are not much better mind; a farer comparison would be a 6 month old Octy III Elegance hatch 2.0 TDI at oh yes the same £19,000 but to be fair to Skoda they are generally better equipped and cheaper to service but it's still crazy paying the same for a Skoda as a BMW of similar age; maybe I'm old fashioned.

 

 

TP

Rather lukewarm review of 1.2 TSi Elegance in Autocar here:

 

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/skoda/rapid/first-drives/skoda-rapid-spaceback-12-tsi-greentech-first-drive-review

I will look forward to seeing the full spec lists to compare this to the "normal" Rapid but disappointed that SUK have gone MORE expensive with it given that a lot of people think the list price for the normal Rapid is already too high.

IMO they should have used the launch of the Spaceback as an opportunity to re-jig the whole Rapid range again and load up the equipment whilst keeping prices the same...

Even if that meant that lower discounts would be available - I think a lower list price and smaller discounts gives a better first impression to people than high list prices and large discounts.

I'd think that the pricing will be just like with everything else when newly launched. It'll start higher than you may expect while they gauge demand. Give it a couple of months and the prices will fall, (although that will probably be due to dealer discounts).

 

Just like I find with camera equipment for work, I never buy anything in the first six months since launch, as you can guarantee it will be much cheaper after then.