hi, been having a look at the rapid or space back ( which I'd prefer on looks alone ) on line can anyone confirm as to whether the rears seats actually fold flat, fully understand I may have to remove seat base ( as per Fabia )  

 

thanks in advance 

On the spaceback, the seat base remains in place and the backs fold forward on top of the seat base. Haven't checked to see if the base comes out easily.

hi inspectorman

 

that's what the photos in the brochures show, however I find the fact I can remove the seat base for a flat loading area on my Fabia very useful

The seat base does come out pretty easily, but it doesn't look like it's recommended to do this regularly. When folding the seat back forward you need to make sure the centre seatbelt buckle steers clear of the fuel tank electricals but otherwise no problems. The seat backs are now completely flat but there is a 5 inch step in the loading area between the boot floor and the seat backs.

How do you remove the back seat base?

 

any photos appreciated

Pull up sharply at the seat leading edge. There are two loops of metal coming down from the seat base which engage into some sort of catch. Now carefully disengage the rear - there is a double claw shaped metal locator on the body which goes up into a recess in the seat base. If you're clumsy with this it would be easy to rip the material around the recess on the seat base. Easiest if you don't pull the base forward by much when you've disengaged the rear on one side before moving around to do the other one.

 

Reassembly the reverse of above. Locate rear and then push down at the front. The seat base will more or less insert itself - that's how it happens in the factory, after all.