A few months after Skoda has revealed the Citigo, the car maker has unveiled a brand new compact saloon, the Skoda Rapid 2013. On short the new Rapid can be characterized as a roomy and confortable sedan that manages to deliver a more than decent amount of cutting-edge technology and an outstanding price-value ratio. On short, the compact sedan fits right between the Fabia and the Octavia when it comes to both price and size.
Once it hits the European market the Rapid will be offered with one of four petrol engines and two diesel units, all of which will conform to EU 5 standards. The entry-level petrol unit is a 1.2 liter MPI three-cylinder engine that produces 75 horsepower. Next in line is a 1.2 liter TSI unit developing 86 horsepower, followed by a 1.2 liter and a 1.4 liter TSI developing 105 and 122 horsepower respectively.
As far as the diesel power plants go, the Rapid will be equipped with either a 1.6 liter unit with common rail injection producing 90 horsepower. The more powerful option is a 1.6 liter TDI CR developing 105 hp.
In terms of transmission the engines will be coupled with either a manual or an optional seven-speed DSG gearbox. The DSG however might not be available as an option on each and every one of the 6 engines.
As mentioned above Skoda's compact sedan is said to be very generous in terms of room. Despite the fact that the exterior dimensions are 4.48 meters in length, 1.71 meters in width and 1.46 m in height, the compact sedan delivers lots of leg-room for all its passengers and a boot capacity of 550 liters, making it the best in its class regarding the matter. Furthermore, folding the rear seats will increase the boot capacity up to 1,490 liters.
Safety features in the Rapid include ABS and ESP as a standard in European countries. Other optional features include "corner function" fog lamps, a system that automatically switches the right or left fog lamp on or off, whenever the driver is turning the steering wheel. Furthermore, the compact sedan will also offer options such as tire pressure monitor, Hill-Hold-Control, front and side airbags with the front-passenger airbag being automatically disabled if a baby carrier is being transported, large head airbags and automatic fuel supply and electrical circuit cut off system in case of accident, just to name a few.
In terms of availability, the Skoda Rapid 2013 will hit dealerships by the end of year 2012, but price-wise the manufacturer has not revealed anything but the fact that it will be an "affordable" compact sedan.
