Škoda Rapid (2012)

Škoda Rapid
Overview
Production	2012–present
Assembly	Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic Yizheng, China (SVW) Kaluga, Russia (since 2014)[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car
Body style	5-door liftback 5-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group A05+ platform
Related	SEAT Toledo Mk4 Volkswagen Santana (2013) Volkswagen Jetta Night
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L I3 MPI (petrol) 1.2 L I4 TSI (petrol) 1.4 L I4 TSI (petrol) 1.6 L I4 TDI CR (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 7-speed automatic DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,602 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4,483 mm (176.5 in) (liftback) 4,304 mm (169.4 in) (hatchback)
Width	1,706 mm (67.2 in)
Height	1,461 mm (57.5 in) (liftback) 1,459 mm (57.4 in) (hatchback)
Chronology
Predecessor	Škoda Octavia Mk2

The Škoda Rapid is a name used for models produced by the Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto. The name was previously used in the 1930s for the Škoda Rapid (1935–47) and in the 1980s for the rear-engine Skoda Rapid (1984) coupé. Today, the Rapid nameplate is used for two separate small family cars: a liftback and a hatchback originating from Europe, and the sedan Škoda Rapid (2011) originating from India, based on the PQ25 platform.

The liftback in its production form was first shown to the public in September 2012, when it was officially shown at the Paris Motor Show.^[2] Sales started in Czech Republic from 20 October 2012 and commenced at the end of 2012 in other parts of central and western Europe,^[3] with sales in markets further to the east scheduled to start in early 2014 in Russia.^[4] The hatchback called the Rapid Spaceback was officially premiered at Frankfurt Motor Show 2013, with production starting already in August and hitting first markets in September 2013.

Liftback

Sedan

Interior

The Rapid liftback (Typ NH3) became the first Škoda model to fully feature brand's new design language. Its minimalistic appearance, developed by Škoda chief-designer Josef Kabaň, could have been already seen at the MissionL design study, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car was intended to fit between the Fabia and the third-generation Octavia, where Škoda had a gap after the Octavia Tour had been discontinued in 2011. Its outer dimensions (length: 4,483 mm; width: 1,706 mm; height: 1,461 mm) were quite similar to the Octavia Tour (length: 4,572 mm; width: 1,762 mm; height: 1,462 mm), but the Rapid offered more space for rear passengers due to its longer wheelbase (2,602 mm vs. 2578 mm). Despite increasing interior space while reducing outer dimensions, the boot shrunk only by 35 litres (550 l vs. 585 l). Payload remained the same as in the Octavia Tour (535 kg incl. driver).

The Rapid line-up features three petrol engines and one diesel with various power outputs, all compliant to Euro 5 standards. All engines are 4-cylinder, except the base 1.2 petrol which is a 3-cylinder unit.[10] 7-speed DSG is standard for the top-of-the-range 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine, and option for the 1.6-litre diesel with 66 KW.

The Rapid is aimed at price-sensitive customers at the entry of the segment A (compact class). With this corresponds the offer of standard equipment and available extras which is close to the Fabia (e.g. the same car radios, navigation system). Trim levels are Active, Ambition and Elegance in most markets, or S, SE and Elegance in the UK. The GreenLine model with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km is available since 2013. All models sold within the EU are equipped with ESC and 6 airbags (front and side for driver and passenger, curtain airbags).

With launch of Rapid Spaceback hatchback in 2013, the Rapid models received some enhancements: for instance the rear power windows could be operated from the driver seat, the dashboard can be delivered with decorative strips in one of four options (Graphite metallic, Aluminium look, Piano White and Piano Black).

The Rapid introduced some new ‘Simply Clever‘ details, i.e. double-sided mat in the boot (rubber/textile), warning-vest holder under driver's seat, removable waste bin in door panelling and ice scraper on the fuel tank flap.

Euro NCAP test results
[5] 2012
Test	Score
Adult occupant:	94%
Child occupant:	80%
Pedestrian:	69%
Safety assist:	71%

Related models

The Rapid shares main body elements, drivetrain and the interior design with the new Seat Toledo.^[6] Both cars are assembled in the same Škoda factory in Mladá Boleslav.^[7]

There are two other Škoda models bearing the Rapid badge. In China the Rapid shares body panels and other principal elements with the 2012 Chinese Volkswagen Santana.^[8] The Indian-manufactured Rapid, launched in 2011, is based on Volkswagen Vento (Polo). Despite the European version, both Chinese and Indian models are classic sedans.

Concept cars

Škoda unveiled the concept car called MissionL at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show which preceded the launch of the production version, subsequently called Rapid.^[9]

At the 32nd GTI Treffen (2013) Škoda presented the Rapid Sport with bi-colour body and 19" alloy wheels.

Spaceback (hatchback)

Spaceback

Spaceback

The original Rapid liftback was followed by a hatchback called Rapid Spaceback (Typ NH1) in September 2013 (both exhibition premiere and market launch). The Spaceback shares the wheelbase and front panels of the liftback, and uses a station wagon body, but with a shortened rear over-hang and a correspondingly shortened rear section, following the formula pioneered in the 1970s, by Opel/Vauxhall, with their Opel Kadett City/Vauxhall Chevette.^[10] Despite the "sporty" fastback shape of the rear, luggage capacity is rated at between 415 and 1380 litres, according to whether or how the rear seat is folded.^[10]

A range of four petrol/gasoline, and two diesel engines offering maximum power outputs ranging from 75–122 PS (55–90 kW; 74–120 bhp) is the same as in the Rapid.^[10] The same counts for the equipment. With launch of the Spaceback, the European Rapid models were given optional low-power dipped-beam xenon headlights. Due to the high intensity of xenon lamps, by law, if xenon headlights are fitted, headlight washers and dynamic headlight range adjustment must also be used. Both measures are aimed at maintaining the light beam at a constant volume and angle relative to the road surface in order to avoid dazzling other road users. The luminous flux of xenon headlights in the Rapid models is 2,000 lumens, so there is no need to install a headlight washer system or dynamic range adjustment.

The Rapid Spaceback comes with a lockable fuel cap included in the central locking system. This means there is no need to unlock the fuel cap with car keys, the ice scraper is protected from theft, and can be removed only after the car has been unlocked. This change was announced to arrive to the Rapid liftback, too.

List of features of the Rapid Spaceback includes an optional false boot floor added. The false floor reduces the height difference between the loading sill and the boot floor and eliminates the step created when the rear seat backs are folded down. There is hidden storage space of up to 135 mm under the false boot floor.

The Rapid Spaceback can be enhanced by optional ‘Style Package‘ consisting of panoramic roof, tailgate with elongated glass, black-painted tailgate spoiler, black front fog lamps, black-painted side-mirrors, and black rear light cluster. Tinted glass roof reaches all the way from the windscreen to the rear window, which is prolonged and reaches about 10 cm (3.94 in) further down the rear door than in the normal rear window. So tinted glass is covering virtually the whole area from windscreen to the rear registration plate.^[10]

Monte Carlo variant is available for the Rapid Spaceback. The car has ‘Style Package‘, black alloy wheels, specific upholstery, interior decorative stripes in carbon look, and steering wheel with flattened bottom.

While the Rapid in China is a special variant of the Volkswagen Jetta, the Spaceback produced in co-operation with SVW is the European model.

Engines

Overview of engines available for the Rapid (NH3) and Rapid Spaceback (NH1).

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

(*) Valid for cars with so-called Green tec (Start-Stop, brake energy recovery)

References

Bibliography

• "Auto Motor und Sport Heft 16, 2013 "Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Der Spaceback ist kürzer als die Limousine, bietet aber viele Variations- und Individualisierungs-Möglichkeiten"" (in German). Motorbuch Verlag. 2013: 10. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Škoda Rapid (2012).

• Škoda Rapid – Škoda Auto Official Website
• Škoda Rapid – Škoda UK Website
• Škoda Rapid – Škoda Australia Website