Skoda's new Rapid is a curious car. It sits between established marketing categories yet is roomier than the previous Octavia, a car nominally from the category above. It's based on diverse VW Group 'modules', specifically a PQ26 front end (current Polo) and the torsion-beam rear end of the US-market Jetta and lowlier Beetles, chosen for the vast boot it allows. There's something of the original Seat Toledo in its approach, which makes sense as the next Toledo will be Rapid-based.
We've already driven the petrol-fuelled Rapid TSI 1.2, so now it's the turn of the 1.6-litre turbodiesel version. This comes in 89 or 104bhp guises, with a seven-speed DSG gearbox an alternative to the usual manual five-speeder in the lower-powered version; our test car is the more powerful one, still with a competitive 114g/km CO2 output or 104g/km if you go for the Green Tec model with stop-start.
The engine is predictably gutsy, albeit much less refined than a petrol 1.2 TSI with the same power. It's clear, though, that there is something inconsistent going on with the suspension.
This diesel proved fidgety and unyielding over bumps, as though fitted with a bad aftermarket suspension kit, yet this unintentional 'sportiness' wasn't reflected in the dull, inert handling balance.
The engineers admit there is still suspension work to do, and the 1.2 TSI we sampled had much more of the fluency and absorption expected of a Skoda. We suspect that the small petrol cars have already been more finely tuned by Skoda's boffins.
Styling is partly subjective, but for this writer the Rapid's clean, straight lines and razor-crisp ridges are a welcome change from the contrived sweeps, slashes and bulges of too many new cars. Skoda says the Rapid won't date as quickly. We agree.
John Simister
Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI 105 Elegance
Price: £15,500 (est); 0-62mph: 10.6sec; Top speed: 118mph; Economy: 64.2mpg (combined); CO2: 114g/km; Kerb weight: 1179kg; Engine: 4cyls, 1598cc, turbodiesel; Power: 104bhp at 4400rpm; Torque: 184lb ft at 1500-2500rpm; Gearbox: 5-speed manual
A disapointing chassis from Skoda, I bet thats down to Volkswagen, jealous of previous Skoda cars being the best to drive of the VAG group. If its not a good drive, I wouldnt buy one.
There's a heck of a lot of the current polo in that front end design - if this is replacing the Octavia and likely to sell in huge numbers to the UK minicab market does it have the same sort of space that the Octavia has?
Agree with your point on the styling. Doesn't look as fussy as a lot of slash/flame-surfaced cars now.
Earlier I was queued beside a new Ibiza and noticed that the front midline crease sweeps down and a 2nd crease line emerges from the doors somewhere towards the bootlid - At best it is too fussy, at worst it makes the car look like it has accident damage!
Was hoping it would ride as well as most Skodas do, almost in a French manner. Hopefully they'll sort the suspension out yet.
(Your last paragraph is inserted twice.)
Apologies to Mr. Shakespeare! It is almost as if Skoda, having outperformed parent VW with the Yeti have had their legs slapped and made to produce this anodyne thing as a reminder that they must know their place! From the road test it does not seem to handle very well and the reviewer does not exactly enthuse about the power unit. So no compensation then for the dullness.
I cannot comment about the handling but, if the power unit is the same one as commonly fitted to Octavia minicabs, the variation between individual units is surprising. Some are like a throwback to an earlier era in terms of rattle and vibration. Others are satisfactory but they are never as good for NVH as the PSA 1.6 Hdi or, for that matter, the Vauxhall unit.
Are Skoda losing it as one national journalist suggested?
VW have put Skoda back in its box going by this first test drive.The styling is very bland and it should have the Octavia suspension in this class.
There's a heck of a lot of the current polo in that front end design - if this is replacing the Octavia and likely to sell in huge numbers to the UK minicab market does it have the same sort of space that the Octavia has?
Where have you been?! Haha! This isn't replacing the Octavia at all. Rather, it is sitting between the Fabia and Octavia, supposedly offering similar space to the latter, though it is much narrower. The next Octavia will be larger. The Rapid probably will appeal to minicab drivers though.
I'm still not sold on the looks. It is very clean and elegant, but the front appears very high to me, and the details (lights, grille) almost seem to big for it, contrasting with the tall, slightly slab-like sides.
"The creative adult is the child who survived."
Apologies to Mr. Shakespeare! It is almost as if Skoda, having outperformed parent VW with the Yeti have had their legs slapped and made to produce this anodyne thing as a reminder that they must know their place! From the road test it does not seem to handle very well and the reviewer does not exactly enthuse about the power unit. So no compensation then for the dullness.
I cannot comment about the handling but, if the power unit is the same one as commonly fitted to Octavia minicabs, the variation between individual units is surprising. Some are like a throwback to an earlier era in terms of rattle and vibration. Others are satisfactory but they are never as good for NVH as the PSA 1.6 Hdi or, for that matter, the Vauxhall unit.
Are Skoda losing it as one national journalist suggested?
Losing it? I don't think so.
I think the Rapid is aimed at a certain type of driver, offering space and value which the original Octavia offered (and still does, really). If they can iron out the ride flaws then this should do okay. But I don't think there's any other evidence that Skoda are 'losing it'.
It is in VAG's best interests to keep Skoda as desirable as possible if they want sales. Sure, VW have too much of an ego which became very evident when VW UK refused to do the attractive finance package on the Up! as offered on the continent, claiming it would "sell itself", but I can't imagine that they would consciously try to harm Skoda's success. They're the ones that bought them with the aim of bringing them up to scratch, and that's what they've done. Let's just hope they aren't ruining it.
"The creative adult is the child who survived."
Niche car maker goes large with its repurposed twin-turbo V8 6-series
Skoda's flagship saloon receives a mid-life refresh comprising revised styling, extra equipment and improved efficiency
New-look Jeep Grand Cherokee also gets new technology and improved performance to take on the class best
Kia's flagship MPV delivers good value for money, but the best Carens is lower down the range
MG's Focus rival has been indefinitely postponed in favour of an SUV; was it the right decision?
