Škoda Rapid (2012)
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 and in the 1980s for the rear engine Škoda Rapid coupé. Today, the Rapid nameplate is used for three separate small family cars: a 5-door liftback and a hatchback originating from Europe, a 4-door sedan from China based on the same platform, and India's version of a smaller sedan Rapid 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. 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 and production in Russia starting at the beginning of 2014.
The hatchback marketed as the Rapid Spaceback premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, with production starting subsequently. Since 2019, the successor to the Rapid in Western and Central Europe is the Škoda Scala, with the Rapid being given a facelift for the Russian market in 2020 due to its continuing popularity.
5-door liftback
The Rapid liftback was the first Škoda model to fully feature brand's new design language. Its minimalistic appearance, developed by Škoda chief designer Jozef Kabaň, was first featured by the Skoda MissionL concept car which was showcased 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 overall dimensions were quite similar to the Octavia Tour, but the Rapid offered more space for rear passengers due to its longer wheelbase. Despite increasing interior space while reducing outer dimensions, the boot shrunk only by 35 litres. Payload remained the same as in the Octavia Tour.
The Rapid line-up features three petrol engines and one diesel with various power outputs, all compliant to Euro 5 standards. Several of the petrol units have also been Euro 6 compliant since 2015. All engines are four cylinder, except the base 1.2 petrol which is a three-cylinder unit 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.
Trim levels are Active, Ambition and Elegance in most markets, or S, SE and Elegance in the United Kingdom. The GreenLine model with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km was available since 2013. All models sold within the Europe are equipped with ESC and six airbags.
Facelifts
Rapid was facelifted in 2017. It received modified front fascia and new headlights, which can be equipped with bi-xenon headlamps with LED lights. The assistance systems were added and in cabin was slightly modified the dashboard. The basic motor instead of 1.2 MPI is now the 1.0 TSI, while the 1.2 TSI engine was completely removed.The liftback Rapid was facelifted for the second time in late 2019 for Russian and CIS markets, bringing significant styling and equipment updates. The 2020 Skoda Rapid gains a new face with triangular LED headlights that are similar to the Scala hatchback, a redesigned bumper with a sportier design, and the brand’s hexagonal corporate grille.
At the rear, it featured the L-shaped LED taillights. Also new are the subtle deck lid spoiler, the refreshed bumper, and the “Skoda” lettering on the tailgate. The interior overhaul featured a very similar layout with the Scala and gaining several new features, which include a digital instrument panel, the latest infotainment system featuring a 6.5-inch “floating” touchscreen display, two USB-C outlets on the center console, and heated steering wheel.
Volkswagen Polo sedan (Russia)
The 2020 facelift Rapid liftback was used as the basis for the 2020 Volkswagen Polo sedan for the Russian market to cut costs instead of having to produce the MQB A0-based Volkswagen Virtus in Russia. Volkswagen has given the Russian market Polo sedan a Jetta-like front fascia, and a unique rear fascia to differentiate it from the Rapid. Contrary with its name, it remained a liftback. As with the Skoda Rapid, the Polo sedan is also built at the Volkswagen Group Rus plant in Kaluga, Russia.5-door hatchback (Rapid Spaceback)
The original Rapid liftback was followed by a hatchback called Rapid Spaceback in September 2013. The Spaceback shares the wheelbase and front panels of the liftback, and uses a station wagon body, but with a shortened rear overhang and a correspondingly shortened rear section, following the formula pioneered in the 1970s, by Opel/Vauxhall, with their Opel Kadett City/Vauxhall Chevette. 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.A range of four petrol/gasoline, and two diesel engines offering maximum power outputs ranging from 75–122 PS is the same as in the Rapid. 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.
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.
4-door sedan
There are two Škoda 4-door sedan models bearing the Rapid badge. In China the Rapid shares body panels and other principal elements with the 2012 Chinese Volkswagen Santana, while still featuring identical front fascias with the European liftback.The Indian manufactured Rapid, launched in 2011, is based on Volkswagen Vento sedan which is a completely different model. Despite the European version, both Chinese and Indian models are classic 4-door 3-box sedans.
The Rapid introduced some new ‘Simply Clever‘ details, i.e. double sided mat in the boot, warning vest holder under driver's seat, removable waste bin in door panelling and ice scraper on the fuel tank flap.
Safety
Related models
The Rapid shares main body elements, drivetrain and the interior design with the new SEAT Toledo. Both cars are assembled in the same Škoda factory in Mladá Boleslav.The 2020 Rapid for Russia and CIS markets which are a heavily revised exterior and interior version of the 2012 model will be manufactured by Volkswagen Group Rus in the Kaluga factory alongside the 2020 Polo lift-back which is a Skoda Rapid with Volkswagen exterior and interior design cues.
;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.
At the 32nd GTI Treffen Škoda presented the Rapid Sport with bi colour body and 19" alloy wheels.