Skoda Rapid - compact family car (C-segment), produced by a Czech company «Skoda Auto» from 2012 to present. Occupies a seat between a subcompact «Fabia» and a little more «Octavia». This name was previously used for cars «Skoda» from 1935-1947 for the midsize car and from 1984-1990 for the rear-engined coupe. Body modern «Rapid» is a front-engine sedan, liftback or hatchback with front-wheel drive. Since 2019 the car has been replaced «Skoda Scala», which is described below. Production was carried out in Algeria, China, Russia and the Czech Republic. Over the entire period, more than 380 thousand copies were sold in Europe.
Today, the main competitors and classmates of the Skoda Rapid are the following cars - VAZ -2107, Chery Bonus, Chevrolet Aveo, Daewoo Nexia, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Solaris, KIA Rio, Lada Vesta, Lifan Solano, Mitsubishi Colt, Nissan Almera, Opel Astra, Peugeot 301 (2012), Renault Sandero, Renault Logan, SEAT Ibiza, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and ZAZ Chance.
Body five-door liftback (NH3) appeared first and was presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, and sales began in October. Platform based «Volkswagen Group A05» (PQ25), which is used for cars «Audi A1», «SEAT Ibiza», «SEAT Toledo», «Volkswagen Polo» and others. The dimensions of the liftback are as follows - length 4483 mm, width 1706 mm, height 1461 mm, wheelbase 2602 mm and curb weight 1217 kg. Appearance was designed by the chief designer «Skoda» Joseph Kabay. Trim levels in most countries were called «Active», «Ambition» and «Elegance».
five-door hatchback (NH1) with the title «Rapid Spaceback» was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013 and sales began immediately. The length of the car was 4304 mm, width 1706 mm, height 1459 mm, wheelbase 2602 mm and curb weight 1155 kg. The volume of the luggage compartment is from 415 to 1380 liters, depending on whether the rear seat is folded down.
four-door sedans there are two types - Chinese, based on elements of Chinese «Volkswagen Santana», as well as Indian, based on «Volkswagen Vento».
The range of gasoline engines installed on the Rapida consisted of the following models:
- 1.0 liter (999 cm3, I3, TSI, 12V, DOHC, turbo, 94/109 hp)
- 1.2 liters (1198 cm3, I3, CGPC, MPI, 12V, DOHC, 74 hp)
- 1.2 liters (1197 cm3, I4, CBZA/CBZB, TSI, 8V, SOHC, turbo, 85/103 hp)
- 1.2 liters (1197 cm3, I4, CJZC/CJZD, TSI, 16V, DOHC, turbo, 89/108 hp)
- 1.4 liters (1390 cm3, I4, CAXA, TSI, 16V, DOHC, turbo, 121 hp)
- 1.4 liters (1390 cm3, I4, CZEA, TSI, 16V, DOHC, turbo, 123 hp)
Diesel engines were installed all turbocharged with a fuel system «Common Rail» the following characteristics - 1.4 liters (1422 cm3, I3, CUSB, 12V, 89 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm3, I4, CAYB/CAYC, 16V, 89/103 hp) and 1.6 liters (1598 cm3, I4, CRKB, 16V, 113 hp). The gearbox was a five- or six-speed manual, as well as a seven-speed robotic «DSG».
The 2012 model was crash tested by the European Committee «Euro NCAP» and received the maximum five stars, see the table for more detailed results.
The car was updated in 2017. It received modified headlights and a mask that can be fitted with LED bi-xenon headlights. Driver assistance systems were added, and the instrument panel was slightly modified in the cabin.
Skoda Scala (2019-present time)
Skoda Scala - small family car (C-segment), successor «Skoda Rapid», produced since 2018 by the Czech automaker «Skoda Auto». The official premiere took place in December 2018 in Tel Aviv (Israel), and sales began in April 2019. The car is based on a platform «MQB» and is a five-door hatchback with a front engine and front-wheel drive. The length of the car is 4362 mm, width 1793 mm, height 1471 mm, wheelbase 2650 mm and curb weight 1192-1339 kg.
«Scala» means «ladder» in Latin and according to the car manufacturer represents a big step forward in the compact car segment. This name has already been used for a small car «Renault Scala» (2012-2017) and Serbian car «Zastava Skala» (1971-2008).
This is the first car «Skoda» with a permanent Internet connection. It will feature a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.2-inch center screen, a blind spot monitor that recognizes vehicles up to 70 meters away, lane control, parking assistance, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and trunk of 467 liters.
Gasoline engines were installed with the following characteristics - 1.0 liter (999 cm3, I3, TSI, 12V, turbo, 94/114 hp) and 1.5 liters (1498 cm3, I4, TSI, 16V, turbo, 148 hp). The diesel engine was one with a volume of 1.6 liters (1598 cm3, I4, TDI, 16V, turbo, 114 hp). A 1.0 liter natural gas engine was also installed (999 cm3, I3, G-Tec, 12V, 90 hp). Transmission 5- or 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic (DSG).