Škoda is continuing its model offensive with the unveiling of its new Rapid compact saloon just a few months after the introduction of the Citigo.
The Rapid is central to the brand’s growth strategy and will be phased in on European markets from the autumn.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Škoda will market the car on its price-value ratio, offering comprehensive safety equipment and efficient engines.
The Rapid will sit between the Fabia and Octavia in the A segment which currently accounts for about 36% of the world’s automobile market. Within this class, saloons have a share of around 42% and industry experts estimate the number of cars of this type sold worldwide will rise by about 50% by the year 2020.
The Rapid is the first Škoda to fully feature the brand’s newly formulated design language. The front end displays a new take on Škoda-typical design elements with the brand logo on the rounded front edge of the bonnet. The grille features a finely drawn chrome frame and is formed by vertical slats. The headlights are grouped to form a cloverleaf shape.
There is also a good amount of space despite its compact exterior dimensions (4.48 metres in length, 1.7 metres in width). Inside there is room for five occupants and their baggage.
The Rapid will be available with five petrol and two diesel engines.
The Rapid name was first seen on the Škoda coupe designed and built by AZNP in what was then Czechoslovakia between 1984 and 1990. It was based on the Škoda 130/135/136 saloon.
Skoda has a curious strategy for this model: there are in fact two Rapids, one is built in India as a B-segment rival for the Polo sedan and another, larger model, which will have its debut at the Paris motor show in September (see separate entry for the Indian-made Rapid).
Europe and China’s Rapid will be a C-segment sedan (a five-door hatchback may follow) that slots into the range between the Fabia and Octavia.
Skoda revealed its plans for the larger of the two Rapids at the Beijing motor show in April 2012, where it also displayed a new version of the related MissionL concept. This design study first appeared at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2011.
The car for China will be built by Shanghai VW from 2013 but the Rapid for European markets will be launched there in late 2012.
The Rapid was first previewed by the VisionD, a five-door hatchback concept which premiered at the Geneva motor show in March 2011.
Czech production of this additional model is set to commence later in 2012, with Chinese and Russian build to follow in 2013. Build in China would likely be at the forthcoming Shanghai Volkswagen plant at Yizheng in Jiangsu province. This facility is due to come on stream in 2013 and will have a capacity of 300,000 vehicles per annum.
