The Škoda Rapid is a perfect complement of the model palette between the Škoda Fabia and the Škoda Octavia, making it at home in the large-volume compact segment.
The Škoda Rapid is the first Škoda series car ever to fully feature the brand's newly formulated design language. Škoda is aiming the Rapid especially at families looking for a roomy first car at an affordable price in Škoda's familiar quality. After tons of teaser images, Skoda has finally released first images of the European Rapid ahead of its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
First seen in concept form at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the European Skoda Rapid will make its official debut in production form at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show in September.
Apart from the stylistic changes, expect higher quality interiors on the European Rapid, which is usually the case with most cars sold in mature car markets. Dimensionally, the European Rapid(4.48 meters long) is longer than the Indian Rapid by about 120 mm but the width remains the same at 1.7 meters. Five variants of petrol engines and two variants of diesel engines will be in the mix. A 74 Bhp, 84 Bhp and 104 Bhp variant of the 1.2 TSI unit will be made available. The other petrol engine will be the 1.4 TSI unit outputting 120 Bhp. Škoda is resolutely pursuing its model offensive, presenting its new compact saloon, the Škoda Rapid, just a few months after the introduction of the Škoda Citigo subcompact.
The Škoda Rapid impresses with lots of room, an expressive design, an excellent price-value ratio, a comprehensive safety offering and efficient engines. The right car at the right time," says Škoda CEO Winfried Vahland.
The new Skoda Citigo city car is the first model in a rapid expansion of Skoda's product line-up, which will include a new hatchback, MPV and a large SUV in the near future.
See official images of the Skoda Citigo city car and concepts Scholz also referred to the production car as “Rapide” when speaking with Autocar, but Skoda is understood to still be deciding on a final name of the car. The MissionL is close in size in the current Octavia. The new Octavia, which will be Skoda’s biggest-selling model in the new range when it’s launched in late 2012/early 2013, will grow in size to fit between MissionL and the Superb
With the Škoda Citigo, at 3.56m long, the Mladá Boleslav automaker is entering the A00 segment. The Škoda Citigo offers maximum utilisation of space and seats for four passengers.
"The Škoda Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. Although the Škoda Citigo is a small car, it is a typical Škoda—and as such fits perfectly with our plans."Škoda did not have much to offer such groups of customers in the small car segment. Škoda's new small vehicle is a reaction to this trend.
"The Škoda Citigo places great emphasis on safety. , the Škoda Citigo is currently the only car in the small vehicle segment to offer the emergency braking functionality.
Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Škoda Citigo's launch: both have a volume of 1.0 litre and their power outputs are 44 kW/60 HP and 55 kW/75 HP. The Czech firm have revealed first pictures of the Citigo that will go on sale next year as their cheapest model.
The body will also be used by Skoda and Seat as part of the VW Group — the Spanish firm's version will be announced on Monday. The Citigo differs from the Up! Flexibility in the four-seater is boosted by fold-flat rear seats, extending boot space from 251 litres to 951 litres. There will also be ultra-economical Greenline versions that will boost economy over 67mpg.
