Skoda’s upcoming Rapid replacement promises to be a revolutionary model for the Czech arm of the Volkswagen Group when it is revealed early next year.
The firm’s family hatchback is poised to transform from a cheap and cheerful offering into a genuine rival for the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, while still occupying a clear space between the Fabia and Octavia saloon. It’ll take on a brand new name too.
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Spied here for the first time is the estate-bodied variant of Skoda’s Golf rival, which will follow the shorter hatchback variant into showrooms next year. Like the Rapid name, the Spaceback designation will be dropped as well.
The final design still lies underneath plenty of protective masking, but it’s possible to spot the trademark Skoda bonnet shut line at the front, flanked by headlights similar to the ones equipped on the facelifted Fabia. It’s the same story at the back with a new set of horizontal taillights.
The all-new model will move onto the Volkswagen Group’s widely used MQB platform. It’s expected that the A0 variant of the platform will be used, stretched to its largest size – MQB A0 is used elsewhere in Volkswagen for smaller B-segment cars, but will support Skoda’s new C-segment entry.
As such, a spread of fresh engines supported by MQB will be available in the new car, opening up the possibility of a 48v mild hybrid Skoda for the first time.
Though these spy shots confirm Skoda plans to continue offering a C-segment estate, a fastback variant of the Rapid replacement is not expected.
The new car will spawn a sister SUV in the form of a new crossover based on the same underpinnings as the SEAT Arona. The new model, based on the Vision X concept revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will be Skoda’s smallest SUV when it arrives later in 2019.
Read all about Skoda's plans for nine new models by 2021...
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