Škoda Rapid (2012)

Manufacturer	Škoda Auto
Production	2012 – present
Assembly	Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic Yizheng, China (SVW)
Class	Small family car
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door liftback 5-door hatchback
Platform	Volkswagen Group A05+
Engine	1.2 L I3 (petrol) 1.2 L I4 (t/c petrol) 1.4 L I4 (t/c petrol) 1.6 L I4 (t/c diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,602 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4,483 mm (176.5 in)
Width	1,706 mm (67.2 in)
Height	1,461 mm (57.5 in)
Curb weight	1,140 kg (2,513 lb)
Related	SEAT Toledo Mk4 Volkswagen Santana Volkswagen Jetta Night

The Škoda Rapid is a five-door small family car manufactured by Škoda. It was first shown to the public at the April 2012 Chinese Motor Show in Beijing, appearing very similar to the 2011 MissionL concept car. In September it was officially shown at the Paris Motor Show. Sales started in Czech Republic from 20 October 2012 and commenced at the end of 2012 in other parts of central and western Europe, with sales in markets further to the east scheduled to start in 2013 in China and early 2014 in Russia.
The Rapid is sized to sit between Fabia and Octavia models and shares some elements with the Roomster and Fabia. The 1.6 diesel version has a drag coefficient of 0.30 Cw.
Its design gives an appearance of a saloon, but it is a five-door hatchback providing a luggage capacity of 550 litres (19 cu ft). It shares main body elements, drivetrain and the interior design with the new Seat Toledo, both of which are assembled in the same Škoda factory inMladá Boleslav.

2013 Škoda Rapid (2012) interior - dashboard	2013 Škoda Rapid (2012) interior - seat
2013 Škoda Rapid (2012) interior - seat folded	2013 Škoda Rapid (2012) interior - boot space

Name

Despite sharing the name with the Indian-manufactured Rapid, launched in 2011, the international version is a different car, being slightly larger, with a new exterior, new interior and different engine options. The name was previously used in the 1930s for the Rapid (Type 901) and in the 1980s for the rear engined Rapid coupé.

Trim levels

Three levels of trim will be available: Active, fitted with 14-inch steel wheels with 175/70 R14 tyres; Ambition, with 15-inch steel wheels with 185/60 R15 tyres; and Elegance, with 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 R15 tyres. Larger wheels and tyres up to 215/40 R17 will be available as options.

Engines

The Rapid range features three petrol engines and one diesel with various power outputs, all compliant to Euro 5 standards. All engines are four-cylinder, except the base 1.2 petrol which is a three-cylinder unit.

Engine	Disp (cc)	Max. power	Max. torque	Transmission	Top speed	Combined consumption	Acceleration 0–100 km/h	CO2 emissions
Petrol engines
1.2 MPI	1,198	75 PS (55 kW; 74 bhp) at 5,400 rpm	112 Nm (83 lbft) at 3,750 rpm	5-speed manual	175 km/h (109 mph)	6.1 L/100 km (46 mpg-imp; 39 mpg-US)	13.9 s	137 g/km
1.2 TSI	1,197	85 PS (63 kW; 84 bhp) at 4,800 rpm	160 Nm (118 lbft) at 1,500-3,500 rpm	5-speed manual	183 km/h (114 mph)	5.1 L/100 km (55 mpg-imp; 46 mpg-US)	11.8 s	119 g/km
1.2 TSI	1,197	105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp) at 5,000 rpm	175 Nm (129 lbft) at 1,550-4,100 rpm	6-speed manual	195 km/h (121 mph)	5.4 L/100 km (52 mpg-imp; 44 mpg-US)	10.4 s	125 g/km
1.4 TSI	1,390	122 PS (90 kW; 120 bhp) at 5,000 rpm	200 Nm (148 lbft) at 1,500-4,000 rpm	7-speed automatic	206 km/h (128 mph)	5.8 L/100 km (49 mpg-imp; 41 mpg-US)	9.5 s	134 g/km
Diesel engines
1.6 TDI	1,598	90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) at 4,200 rpm	230 Nm (170 lbft) at 1,500-2,500 rpm	5-speed manual		4.2 L/100 km (67 mpg-imp; 56 mpg-US)		109 g/km
				7-speed automatic		4.3 L/100 km (66 mpg-imp; 55 mpg-US)		114 g/km
1.6 TDI	1,598	105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp) at 4,400 rpm	250 Nm (184 lbft) at 1,500-2,500 rpm	5-speed manual	190 km/h (118 mph)	4.4 L/100 km (64 mpg-imp; 53 mpg-US)	10.6 s	104 g/km (Green Tec) 114 g/km

Concept car

Škoda unveiled the concept car called MissionL at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show which pre-empted the launch of the production version which was subsequently called Rapid.

2011 Škoda MissionL Concept front view

2011 Škoda MissionL Concept rear view

Rapid Spaceback

In 2013 press reports appeared concerning the Skoda Rapid Spaceback, scheduled for launch at the October 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and expected to arrive in Skoda showrooms at the same time. The Spaceback shares the wheelbase and front panels of the existing Rapid, 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 hatchback. 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. Showroom appeal will be enhanced by the option of a glass "panorama" roof covering virtually the whole roof area. A range of four petrol/gasoline and two diesel engines will offer maximum power outputs ranging from 75–122 PS (55–90 kW; 74–120 bhp).

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Last updated on 28 July 2013 at 19:49.