Caught this yesterday:

 

Replace SE and Elegance

There are two new trim choices for Rapid Spaceback: SE Tech and SE Sport. They replace current SE and Elegance.

SE Tech will remain the same price as SE and gain: 

• 16-inch Dione alloy wheels
• Amundsen sat-nav and DAB radio
• Climate control

SE Sport will have a premium of £1,200 over SE tech and gain:

• 17-inch Camelot alloy wheels
• Style pack (includes fixed panoramic glass roof, extended tailgate glass, black rear spoiler, black door mirrors, black rear lights and black cornering front fog lights)
• Sports seats
• Sunset glass

Appears to me that they are trying to head the SB towards a more 'Sporty' market and the Rapid as the family end, only my assumption though.

 

If I get more info by all means I will post it up.

 

Also more spec for little extra, so effectively reducing the overall cost compared to the previous SE, which is interesting.

Maybe they believe the SE to be a bit overpriced.

 

Admundsen nav and climatronic for no extra cost is a nice little upgrade.

Yep, my thoughts exactly Richard.

At least it'll brighten up that bland dashboard

Yes that's a very good move by Skoda UK; just missed out then, as our new Rapid SE is effectively a SE Sport but without the climatronic and nav, although only the latter would have been of real interest, personally prefer the manual a/c system.

 

Couldn't see the point of the Elegance myself, as there was little to gain in the upgrade and the mismatched steering wheel and dash inserts looked odd. However I can see some being less than impressed with having to run on 16 or 17" rims if they are looking for ride comfort.

 

 

TP

It won't quash the dichotomy that its called 'Rapid', yet its one of the slowest VAG's. If its an image problem the car has it could be easy fixed by dropping a 2.0 FSI Turbo in it people wont care about the drab interior then. Id buy a couple tomorrow if this happened.

Law of the sod TP, but then if we all hung on to wait for the 'what ifs' we'd be going nowhere fast 

 

Scribbler, I don't think we'll ever see the 2 litre lump in the Rapid unfortunately, stepping on toes maybe? But I do see where you are coming from; popping an E on the end of the name might have helped (the letter, not the drug   ) and maybe a 122 manual or even the 140 lump would be nice   

Law of the sod TP, but then if we all hung on to wait for the 'what ifs' we'd be going nowhere fast 

 

Scribbler, I don't think we'll ever see the 2 litre lump in the Rapid unfortunately, stepping on toes maybe? But I do see where you are coming from; popping an E on the end of the name might have helped (the letter, not the drug   ) and maybe a 122 manual or even the 140 lump would be nice   

 

Never understood the politics side. If there is a market for a rapid the goes like the proverbial 'stabbed rat' or 'poo off a shovel' which im positive there is I can't be the only one who wants to see It then why not just make one. You could call it a vrs. then you would sell more of the standard Rapids because people would want to make them lucky likey the fast version. Lets say for arguments sake this model existed it wouldn't take sales from the other cars in the VAG family people who can buy an Audi S3 are unlikely to buy a Skoda. But it might just pinch a few sales from the likes of Vauxhall, ford and Renault etc.

Never understood the politics side. If there is a market for a rapid the goes like the proverbial 'stabbed rat' or 'poo off a shovel' which im positive there is I can't be the only one who wants to see It then why not just make one. You could call it a vrs. then you would sell more of the standard Rapids because people would want to make them lucky likey the fast version. Lets say for arguments sake this model existed it wouldn't take sales from the other cars in the VAG family people who can buy an Audi S3 are unlikely to buy a Skoda. But it might just pinch a few sales from the likes of Vauxhall, ford and Renault etc.

 

To be honest mate, I couldn't agree more. Maybe it's big brother saying no? I really don't know, maybe it's the 'fear' of pinching some sales from VW, but surely it would be more beneficial for VAG to be nicking sales from each other AND the opposition than not having any at all  :think:  

Think there's room in the bay for a more powerful lump; certainly front and back of the 1.2TSI there's quite some spare space. However the TSI 105 goes well enough for my needs and a step up in performance on our last Rapid, a 136

 

Surprised Richard didn't try fitting an VAG bi turbo before he parted with his yellow peril  

 

 

TP

The Skoda configurator reflects the proposed changes, doesn't show the Spaceback SE or Elegance models.

 

Does this only apply to the Spaceback model, any changes to the Rapid specs?

Edited 31 July, 201411 yr by MickA

is this a few tweaks in advance of the fabia 3 launch in paris October?

 

still not sure if rapid will sit above or below the new fabia in the pecking order

The Skoda configurator reflects the proposed changes, doesn't show the Spaceback SE or Elegance models.

Does this only apply to the Spaceback model, any changes to the Rapid specs?

Will check tomorrow Mick but from how I read it, it does only affect the Spaceback.

As said though, as soon as I get details I will post up.

Don't forget the 1.4 TSI DSG is pretty quick for the rapid, it just needs to be marketed better...

 

It would also be nice for Skoda to broaden the choice of alloys and custom colours too, possibly actually offer sports suspension for the sport too? 

is this a few tweaks in advance of the fabia 3 launch in paris October?

 

still not sure if rapid will sit above or below the new fabia in the pecking order

 

I imagine in terms of physical size/space the Rapid will still sit between the Octavia and the Fabia, but in terms of equipment/comfort/refinement we'll just have to wait and see I suppose. I don't think the new Fabia is MQB based, so it'll be interesting to see what they serve up.

I imagine in terms of physical size/space the Rapid will still sit between the Octavia and the Fabia, but in terms of equipment/comfort/refinement we'll just have to wait and see I suppose. I don't think the new Fabia is MQB based, so it'll be interesting to see what they serve up.

 

Posted a while ago that the face-lifted Polo could be a good gage of what to expect with the Fabia III, particularly the new 'radio' system and engines; Skoda are already well in the the swing of building the 1 ltr 3 pot in their engine facility.

 

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/video?_mout=1&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter#video

 

 

TP

Surprised Richard didn't try fitting an VAG bi turbo before he parted with his yellow peril

 

I considered it, but then decided to start with a better base vehicle.  Bought a Yeti.

Posted a while ago that the face-lifted Polo could be a good gage of what to expect with the Fabia III, particularly the new 'radio' system and engines; Skoda are already well in the the swing of building the 1 ltr 3 pot in their engine facility.

 

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/video?_mout=1&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter#video

 

 

TP

looking at the specs I have seen both of the new fabia (from the spy shots and internals) and the rapid, I think it will be citigo, rapid, fabia

 

as the new fabia is supposed to be bigger than the current one,

 

also the equipment of the new fabia would suggest it being above the rapid, with the rapid looking a bit basic / low spec in comparison

also the equipment of the new fabia would suggest it being above the rapid, with the rapid looking a bit basic / low spec in comparison

 

But they do keep upgrading the Rapid's spec, which leaves people that have alrady bought one with a lower spec car at the same price.

It's happened two or three times already and the car has only been out a year or so.

 

So no telling how many more times Skoda UK will do it.

perhaps they should have got the spec right first time :P

 

my car is up for replacement early mid next year so will be watching the fight between fabia 3 / rapid with interest trying to work out the pecking order and if skoda uk will be playing the ooops we got it wrong, lets chuck some more spec at it again game

looking at the specs I have seen both of the new fabia (from the spy shots and internals) and the rapid, I think it will be citigo, rapid, fabia

 

as the new fabia is supposed to be bigger than the current one,

 

also the equipment of the new fabia would suggest it being above the rapid, with the rapid looking a bit basic / low spec in comparison

 

If the Auto Express figures are anywhere near, then it will be about 300mm shorter than a Spaceback but fractionally wider and taller.

 

Plus if Skoda continue the Rapid project into a facelift, then I can see it catching the Fabia up in terms of equipment and possibly the introduction of standard Nav and auto air con is a stop gap measure until that time, using the best equipment currently designed for the range :wonder:

 

Very early days yet into Spaceback ownership but I hope they do keep the Rapid going, as I'm beginning to appreciate styling wise it's got a lot more to it than the Octy III I've had for the last 6 months and apart from the lack of 4x4 it's nicer to drive; IMHO obviously.

 

Why people keep raving about MQB I don't know; from my experience its junk (particularly the RHD floor-pan)

 

 

TP

are you comparing the hatch to the spaceback?

 

current fabia est to spaceback less the 50mm difference

 

also seen a seat Ibiza add on telly (Ibiza = fabia?) and seems to show PID in it?

 

PID as option in fabia 3?

Don't forget the 1.4 TSI DSG is pretty quick for the rapid, it just needs to be marketed better...

 

It would also be nice for Skoda to broaden the choice of alloys and custom colours too, possibly actually offer sports suspension for the sport too? 

 

Very nippy as i can testify, but again relative never put it to the test yet against something "competetive" at the lights!

What would you suggest would be a likely boy racer rival to "blow away"????

 

Bidey fae Perth

are you comparing the hatch to the spaceback?

 

current fabia est to spaceback less the 50mm difference

 

also seen a seat Ibiza add on telly (Ibiza = fabia?) and seems to show PID in it?

 

PID as option in fabia 3?

 

Yes the hatch, as I understand the figures given were for that version. Would imagine the estate will be that bit longer, as theres more boot space in the new car. Also I've read somewhere the estate tag may be replaced with Spaceback on the Fabia like the Rapid.

 

Certainly the Rapid Spaceback feels noticeably more spacious than our Fabia II hatch, particularly rear leg room and boot.

 

 

TP

perhaps they should have got the spec right first time :p

 

my car is up for replacement early mid next year so will be watching the fight between fabia 3 / rapid with interest trying to work out the pecking order and if skoda uk will be playing the ooops we got it wrong, lets chuck some more spec at it again game

 

If your decision tree has a heavy preference on technology, gadgets and shineyness, then I actually also expect the Fabia 3 to come up trumps... but different people have different priorities, I'll be astonished if the Fabia 3 is 'bigger' than the Rapid in terms of interior space / boot capacity, as that would put it on the same level as the Octavia which would be boneheaded.

I am waiting to see, rapid does not really fit my requirements based on current spec / price, but I think the price will be interesting

 

the options would be between a rapid / fabia 3