Skoda unveils hatchback variant of Rapid sedan to target younger audience

With a dynamically fresh design, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback is set to address younger customer segments. As typical of Skoda, the Rapid Spaceback offers a lot of space, numerous 'Simply Clever' ideas, top safety, interesting opportunities for individualisation, low fuel consumption and an excellent price/value ratio. The Rapid Spaceback will premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, while its launch in the European markets is scheduled for October 2013.

Compared with conventional hatchback models, Skoda claims the Rapid Spaceback stands out visually from the competition with sportier and stretched looks that makes it look almost like a coupe.

The Rapid Spaceback's dynamic silhouette is marked by clear lines, a long 2,602mm wheelbase and the sharp, high tornado line. The Rapid Spaceback has a 'C' and a 'D' column with a third side window.

Individualisation is a focus area in this car, one of the highlights being the huge panoramic glass roof available as an option. This tinted glass roof reaches all the way from the windscreen to the rear window, offering passengers an unobstructed view of the sky. Combined with the panoramic glass roof, the optional prolong rear window constitutes an additional design accent.

Up to the B-pillar, the design is based on the Rapid sedan. The core elements are a prominent grille with 19 vertical ribs and a chrome frame, the new logo on the rounded front end of the hood, the cloverleaf arrangement of the headlights and fog lights.

The tail end of the car emphasises the sportiness of the hatchback with clear lines that creates a balanced and uncluttered impression. A black diffuser underlines the horizontal orientation as well as the broad tail lights in brand-typical 'C' design.

The interior impresses with sporty three-spoke steering wheel, stylish trim lines and fresh designs for the seat covers. As typical of Skoda, the interior offers a lot of space. Though the hatchback is 180mm shorter in length than the Rapid saloon, passenger space is just as generous as in the car's bigger sibling. The rear of the Rapid Spaceback offers the largest legroom 64mm and the largest headroom 980mm in its segment. The hatchback offers a generous 415 litre boot which can be expanded to 1,380 litres when the rear bench is folded down.

This generous space is complemented by numerous 'Simply Clever' solutions like an optional double cargo floor in the trunk, the ice scraper in the fuel filler, the multimedia holder and the cup holders in the front and rear, among others.

In Europe, the new Skoda Rapid Spaceback is available with four petrol and two diesel engines. These advanced power plants put out between 73bhp and 120bhp. The 1.6-litre TDI good for 88bhp celebrates its premiere in the Rapid model series. In the GreenLine version with this engine, the Rapid Spaceback consumes a mere 26.3km/L while emitting just 99g/km.