Can anyone explain please--is the Rapid sold in Europe getting a facelift soon?

 

I've tried to do my own research and get bogged down with stuff about Idnia sorry India.

 

It looks to me like five different cars are sold as rapids out there and most are getting FLs !!??

 

If it is European versions getting FLs what are they doing to it?

 

Seems very soon after launch but is it selling at all well?

 

Thank you

Facelifting a car after a couple of months of production makes no sense. Rapid in India and in Europe are two totally unrelated cars. The Indian thing is essentially the Indian Volkswagen Vento with Fabia's front grille, and it's been out there for some time, so that's a wholly different story.

 

In short: No, it is not getting a facelift.

Can anyone explain please--is the Rapid sold in Europe getting a facelift soon?

 

I've tried to do my own research and get bogged down with stuff about Idnia sorry India.

 

It looks to me like five different cars are sold as rapids out there and most are getting FLs !!??

 

If it is European versions getting FLs what are they doing to it?

 

Seems very soon after launch but is it selling at all well?

 

Thank you

 

Yes, its due a facelift very shortly from what I understand. Interior dash material improvements as well as additional equipment (again!) is my understanding as well as availabilty of new options ie Xenons and new drivetrain/engine options (lower powered diesel).

imho, i would say these are production improvements and product line enrichment, rather than a facelift.

nowdays, fl always has to do with slightly changing the exterior design (bumpers, grilles, headlights) and also  the interior design

imho, i would say these are production improvements and product line enrichment, rather than a facelift.

nowdays, fl always has to do with slightly changing the exterior design (bumpers, grilles, headlights) and also  the interior design

 

Exactly. The Rapid is not getting a true facelift but rather some improvements...

 

Probably more than normal after less than one year of production though. That might be annoying for those of us who bought early but it is good to see Skoda trying to constantly improve their product range rather than just leave it as is for three years.

Good point guys, it probably wont be reffered to as a facelift by Skoda either.

Good point guys, it probably wont be reffered to as a facelift by Skoda either.

 

Yes, it's probably just something to annoy current owners... again.

Yes, it's probably just something to annoy current owners... again.

 

Or to make us want to replace them more often?

Or to make us want to replace them more often?

 

At this rate, it'll be every six months.

While this may be a knee jerk reaction, it does seem that Skoda have made a bit of a balls up with the Rapid and the amount of changes being thrown at it at various times over it's first year on sale is amazing.

I've never seen any car suffer from this before to such an extent.

One more reason against early adopting. But I do like Skoda adjusting to the demand.

One more reason against early adopting. But I do like Skoda adjusting to the demand.

 

I'm starting to think waiting for the first year to pass is a good idea.

Was better on the Yeti, would have been better on the Citigo (sport version and interior changes) and clearly ideal for the Rapid.

At this rate, it'll be every six months.

While this may be a knee jerk reaction, it does seem that Skoda have made a bit of a balls up with the Rapid and the amount of changes being thrown at it at various times over it's first year on sale is amazing.

I've never seen any car suffer from this before to such an extent.

 

I think fundamentally it's a good car, there's just one or two areas they pushed the cost-cutting a little too far (and then Skoda UK pushed the price up too far) Some adjustments in both directions should start to see it sell well

I'm starting to think waiting for the first year to pass is a good idea.

Was better on the Yeti, would have been better on the Citigo (sport version and interior changes) and clearly ideal for the Rapid.

You can't always guess right what will work with people. Hard plastics really don't, but the key-operated filler cap apparently does. Journalists were complaining about the latter, but IMHO it doesn't matter.

I think fundamentally it's a good car, there's just one or two areas they pushed the cost-cutting a little too far (and then Skoda UK pushed the price up too far) Some adjustments in both directions should start to see it sell well

I was chatting to a dealer/friend over the weekend and thats his view down to the wording almost! The dealers feeling is that they've been stuck with an unsaleable car currently as most customers cant get their head around the asking price and start comparing its interior to the Octavia's in the showroom! :(

start comparing its interior to the Octavia's in the showroom! :(

Apples and Oranges to me. But having said that with the physical foot print of the cars being so close it's easy to see why they would do that. Also I'm guessing they'll have fully optioned up demos in the court yards which won't help with the listed price either.

Apples and Oranges to me. But having said that with the physical foot print of the cars being so close it's easy to see why they would do that. Also I'm guessing they'll have fully optioned up demos in the court yards which won't help with the listed price either.

Yes, his specific point was that by the time they've added a few options to a decent Rapid, its in Octavia base model territory (which isnt too shabby on the equipment list). They then start looking at the Octavia and comparing. Then they loose interest in the Rapid. Thats the way the customer generally reacts their but of course it could be different at different sites. He also said the majority of buyers were retirered or heading that way so the money wasnt an issue. (hope I have that issue when Im retiring!)

If I remember correctly, every single Skoda was ridiculously overpriced at launch. Maybe it's a strategy! - Let a few people beta test it, then we polish it and sell it for a normal price.

Yes, his specific point was that by the time they've added a few options to a decent Rapid, its in Octavia base model territory (which isnt too shabby on the equipment list). They then start looking at the Octavia and comparing. Then they loose interest in the Rapid. Thats the way the customer generally reacts their but of course it could be different at different sites. He also said the majority of buyers were retirered or heading that way so the money wasnt an issue. (hope I have that issue when Im retiring!)

 

That last point is why Skoda have never offered any incentives on the Yeti.

That last point is why Skoda have never offered any incentives on the Yeti.

Agreed. And now its on 0% interest for the first time along with every other model (although Im guessing you already knew that considering that you must have ordered at least two Skoda this month, under the new Campaign?!)      

 

I also wonder if the dealer is being strategic by placing the Rapid and Octavia at opposite ends of the showroom with all the other models seperating them! Maybe im just overthinking it now!

Agreed. And now its on 0% interest for the first time along with every other model (although Im guessing you already knew that considering that you must have ordered at least two Skoda this month, under the new Campaign?!)      

 

I also wonder if the dealer is being strategic by placing the Rapid and Octavia at opposite ends of the showroom with all the other models seperating them! Maybe im just overthinking it now!

 

Yes, I did know.

But I ordered last week under the VAT free deal before it finished.

 

Give me a chance, it's only the 2nd!!

It's also nice to see offers across the range of models rather than the previous overcomplicated set of offers on each individual model, with varying deals on different spec levels.

It must have made life complicated for salesmen.

It's also nice to see offers across the range of models rather than the previous overcomplicated set of offers on each individual model, with varying deals on different spec levels.

It must have made life complicated for salesmen.

It did and its something they are greatful for, they also thought it confused the customer ie yes you can have it on vat free.... but only if its a petrol....   hatchback. Ah, the Fabia, thats different again... It was pretty naff and confusing. This is far better. 0% finance with free servicing and the cars purchase price matched to drivethe deal to save £4000. Nice.