In depth Czech review from Auto.cz: http://www.auto.cz/test-skoda-rapid-spaceback-1-2-tsi-1-0-pro-hatchback-77521

 

They mention that the handling/ride balance is better than the liftback because of slightly less weight behind the rear axle. Also the upper rear spoiler on the Spaceback acts as a brace which improves the rigidity of the chassis.

I could not remember what this Spaceback strongly reminded me off until I saw one on the street yesterday.  The 2006 KIA Cerato hatch!  The Spaceback is an 80% copy of that from the rear threequarters!

 

 

 

 

 

Strangely, I was just thinking how much the front looks like a Ce'ed.

In that it's silver? Should have gone to Specsavers 900000.

But you could say all european targeted hatchbacks look the same, thats no different to how every minivan in Hong Kong is so similar, and how the majority of american saloons look the same... 

 

Theres similarities but thats about it, you know that the rapid looks much nicer, more thought out and complete. 

Should be receiving 2 Rapid Spacebacks soon 1 Standard SE 1.2 TSi & a Rio Red 1.6 TDi elegance with Pan roof

Should be receiving 2 Rapid Spacebacks soon 1 Standard SE 1.2 TSi & a Rio Red 1.6 TDi elegance with Pan roof

You're buying two?! Are you related to Bossfox by any chance?!

 

And in your other thread you say you already own one?! :wonder:

You're buying two?! Are you related to Bossfox by any chance?!

 

And in your other thread you say you already own one?! :wonder:

He works in a Skoda dealership:

 

 

Good morning folks, My name is Dale and im from Bedford! I also work for Progress Skoda in Bedford so I'll be happy to answer any questions you local guys have! Id also be interested in attending some of the local meets to meet some of you! At the moment im in a Rallye green Rapid 1.2tsi 105 with Black 17" Camelot alloys

 

Im off to have a snoop around the forum, Hopefully see some of you around!

You're buying two?! Are you related to Bossfox by any chance?!

 

And in your other thread you say you already own one?! :wonder:

 

See my comment in my VCDS thread bud, Poor wording on my behalf

Should be receiving 2 Rapid Spacebacks soon 1 Standard SE 1.2 TSi & a Rio Red 1.6 TDi elegance with Pan roof

 

How soon is soon?

 

Hope SUK spec up the early demo cars like they did with the liftback

I have dealt with Dale before top guy, he is really into his cars

UK brochure: http://toolsnew.skoda.co.uk/content/brochure/brochure_rapidspaceback.pdf

Ultimately though what is the point or the Rapid, original or Spaceback? The original Rapid/Toledo reminds me of a warmed over VW Vento from the 90s. The front and rear interior heights are restricted, it hasn't as much space for people as a Roomster and it feels cheap inside.

 

Then, big deal. Skoda go to the VAG parts bin, find and warm over an existing design and arrive at a reboot of the Seat Altea. Well whoop de doop! Let's call it a Space Back!

 

The bottom line is, the Altea must on the way out having been in production since 04, XL since 07, and perhaps for once VAG is thinking as a corporate whole.

Edited 23 November, 201312 yr by richardf

Ultimately though what is the point or the Rapid, original or Spaceback? The original Rapid/Toledo reminds me of a warmed over VW Vento from the 90s. The front and rear interior heights are restricted, it hasn't as much space for people as a Roomster and it feels cheap inside.

Then, big deal. Skoda go to the VAG parts bin, find and warm over an existing design and arrive at a reboot of the Seat Altea. Well whoop de doop! Let's call it a Space Back!

The bottom line is, the Altea must on the way out having been in production since 04, XL since 07, and perhaps for once VAG is thinking as a corporate whole.

Huh?! The Altea is based on the Golf platform and has absolutely ZERO to do with the Rapid or Sportback. So not sure what your point is exactly?

My point is , that what Skoda needs is a small MPV of some kind to replace the good, but not big selling or well promoted, Roomster. I suspect that if they keep the basic interior trimmings of the Rapid/Toledo and call it a Space Back that it will not compete well in a crowded market. It needs to have a new name and some USP to compete with the C3 Picasso or B Class.

My point is , that what Skoda needs is a small MPV of some kind to replace the good, but not big selling or well promoted, Roomster. I suspect that if they keep the basic interior trimmings of the Rapid/Toledo and call it a Space Back that it will not compete well in a crowded market. It needs to have a new name and some USP to compete with the C3 Picasso or B Class.

Oh you're talking about what you thought the Spaceback should have been.

Keeping old platforms going does not always make sense. With the new MQB platform VAG is saving a ton of money to simplify the platform across the board down to the diesel and petrol engines having the exact same angle and engine mounts. So keeping an ancient platform like the Altea means special dinosaur engines and what not just for that car. So a cheap car? No. So alas doesn't make sense. They tried this in keeping the old Audi A4 running as the Exeo for SEAT. Did it work? Nope it was a huge flop.

Škoda could do with an MPV perhaps but that is a dying and severely shrinking market. Hence they made the right choice to not do an MPV, but make a crossover, the Yeti. I don't think you'll ever see a Škoda MPV as people want crossovers now and don't want to be seen dead in an MPV.

Mr 900000 is correct, Skoda will be expanding their SUV range rather than looking at more MPVs.

 

It seems that they will drag another couple of years life out of the Roomster, that the next Yeti will probably be a little bit bigger and that there will be a larger 7 seat SUV joining it in the Skoda range in 2016.

 

I guess ultimately they will replace the Roomster with a small SUV, maybe something like the up!-based VW Taigun.

 

I agree that the Spaceback has nothing whatsoever to do with the Altea. The Spaceback is a mini-estate/large hatchback, a class which Skoda do not currently compete in.

 

The point of the Rapid is to provide a family car at a reasonable price to fill the gap vacated by the Octavia which has become bigger and more expensive. It's selling very well in the Czech Republic now but the Spaceback is expected to do better in Western Europe.

The point of the Rapid is to provide a family car at a reasonable price to fill the gap vacated by the Octavia which has become bigger and more expensive. It's selling very well in the Czech Republic now but the Spaceback is expected to do better in Western Europe.

Quite right - Golf-class cars have over the years become so expensive, complex and bloated that a gap has opened up in the market for a family car based on a stretched supermini platform that will accommodate four people and their luggage.

 

As I've said before, I was seriously contemplating buying one, but my key criterion was something that would fit in my garage, not just something cheap, and I was disappointed that there was no 1.4 TSi engine with manual gearbox. So I ended up with a Honda Civic (which tbh is a much classier car), but I still think the Spaceback is a good idea.

I quite like the Rapid, and personally, in petrol I think the 1.2 TSI is all you'd need really.

The 1.2tsi is almost as quick as the 1.4tsi anyway.

I previously had a 1.2 TSi SEAT Ibiza, so I'm familiar with this engine. It's a good engine, and has more poke than you might imagine. But, ultimately, the 142 PS engine in the Civic has another level of power, as would the 140 PS VAG 1.4 TSi as seen in the Octavia.

Well, yes that's a given! a 140bhp car is better than a 105bhp car!

 

I meant the 1.2tsi 105 is equal to the 1.4tsi 122, the engines offered in the Rapid/Spaceback. Only difference being that the DSG makes it feel quicker.

 

You are right though, a manual should have been offered in the 1.4tsi.

I went up this incline http://goo.gl/maps/KJVB2 a few times in the past week while staying at my sister's, the 1.2 tsi coped with it perfectly well, get up to speed and stick it in third before the 90+ degree turn half way up park road and didn't need to change down to second (Dad reckons he couldn't do that in his 1.4 Fiat Bravo)

 

According to here that's an average 15.4% grade, which I think works out to roughly 1 in 6.

I previously had a 1.2 TSi SEAT Ibiza, so I'm familiar with this engine. It's a good engine, and has more poke than you might imagine. But, ultimately, the 142 PS engine in the Civic has another level of power, as would the 140 PS VAG 1.4 TSi as seen in the Octavia.

 

The 1.2TSI has 1nm more torque than the Civic though

Isn't there also a rather large price difference between the Honda Civic and a Skoda Rapid