Skoda Rapid Spaceback Turns the Rapid Into a Hatchback

SkodaSkodaCzech Rep., 1895 > present57 models
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7 videos
is releasing a new variant of the RapidSkoda Rapid Gen.1Czech Rep., 2012 > present87 versions
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compact called the Spaceback that is meant to be a compromise in space between the FabiaSkoda Fabia Gen.2Czech Rep., 2007 > present280 versions
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and OctaviaSkoda Octavia (Modern) 3Czech Rep., 2013 > present141 versions
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. It will go on sale in Europe in October.

Skoda’s chief designer Jozef Kaban believes in radical minimalism in his designs for the company. For the Rapid Spaceback, he continues this style with a clear, simple design that he calls “sporty” but no one will confuse with a hot hatch. The Spaceback is actually 18cm shorter than the Rapid sedan. The front is the same as the standard Rapid and is available with xenon headlights with cornering lights. From the side, it appears as a stretched version of the Rapid with an added D-pillar and reshaped C-pillar to add a third in the area of the hatch. The windows are also larger than the sedan to let more light into the car.

For the interior, Skoda wanted the Spaceback to be open and airy. There is an optional panoramic sunroof that runs from the windshield to the rear window. Despite the smaller exterior size, the Spaceback has more legroom and more headroom than the sedan. The rear storage capacity is 415 liters, compared to 550 liters for the sedan, and 1,380 liters with the seats folded down, compared to 1490 liters for the sedan.

“The new Skoda Rapid Spaceback is a milestone for Skoda: it means that we are entering the strategically important segment of compact hatchback models. The Rapid Spaceback is a great addition to this class in that it combines Skoda’s good practical characteristics with the popular hatchback shape. Sporting the new Skoda design, the Rapid Spaceback has a fresh and dynamic appearance,” said Skoda CEO Winfried Vahland.

The Spaceback will be available with four petrol and two diesel engines with between 74hp and 121hp at launch. The 89hp version of the 1.6 TDI will debut in the Rapid in the Spaceback model with an optional seven-speed DSG, and the other diesel engine will be the 103hp version of the 1.6 TDI. The Greenline version of the Spaceback uses the 3.8l/100km and emits 99g/km of CO2. The petrol engines will be a 74hp 1.2 three-cylinder, 1.2 TSI with 85hp, 1.2 TSI with 103hp and 121hp 1.4 TSI with an optional seven-speed DSG.

Skoda did not announce pricing for the Spaceback.