New Skoda Rapid Spaceback from $18,990
Czech brand finally enters Australia's biggest vehicle segment with all-new small hatch priced from under $19KSkoda Australia has announced an $18,990 starting price (plus on-road costs) for the Rapid Spaceback, which goes on sale today.
The first new Skoda nameplate to be introduced Down Under since the Fabia in 2011 also puts the fringe-dwelling Czech brand into Australia’s largest vehicle segment for the first time.
Comprising two turbocharged direct-injection petrol engines, two transmissions and two equipment grades (there will be no sedan or diesel versions, for now), the small five-door hatchback undercuts Australia’s two most popular cars, the Mazda3 (from $20,490) and Toyota Corolla (from $19,990).
Opening the Rapid range – which from under $19,000 sits neatly between the repositioned Fabia light-car (now from $15,990) and larger new Octavia (from $21,690) -- is the six-speed manual-only 77TSI Ambition, powered by the 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre turbo-four from the Fabia and Yeti.
Fitted with the same equipment is the more powerful 90TSI Ambition, which for $21,890 plus ORCs comes standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission and the same 90kW/200Nm 1.4-litre turbo-four seen in Volkswagen’s cheapest Golf (90TSI manual -- $21,490 plus ORCs).
The same car is also offered in higher-spec Elegance trim, which tops the Spaceback range at $23,750 plus ORCs, but ‘style’ and ‘sports’ options packs can be fitted to all models at extra cost.
All Rapids come with six airbags, electronic stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic differential lock, five three-point seatbelts, front seatbelt pretensioners and height adjustment, adjustable front head restraints, tyre pressure monitoring and hill-hold control.
Ambition variants ride on 16-inch ‘Dione’ alloy wheels, a comes with a leather-clad three-spoke steering wheel with radio and phone controls, air-conditioning, trip computer, cruise control, height-adjustable driver’s seat, daytime running lights, a 60/40-split folding rear seat and a six-speaker ‘Swing’ radio with CD/MP3/SD/AUX/USB functionality and Bluetooth streaming.
Elegance versions add 17-inch ‘Camelot’ alloys (but still retain a space-saver spare), climate-control, front passenger seat height adjustment, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, front foglights with cornering function, chrome-frame air-vents and brushed silver (instead of graphite) dashboard trim.
For a further $1800 ($2100 for Ambition buyers), an optional Style Pack adds an extended glass tailgate, panoramic glass roof, 17-inch black ‘Ray’ alloys, black rear spoiler, dark-tinted foglights and tail-light, black side mirror caps, and privacy glass.
The Sports Pack ($1600 Ambition, $1000 Elegance) adds xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, red/black fabric-trimmed sports front seats with integrated head restraints, privacy glass, stainless steel pedal covers, black dash decor, foglights with cornering function and a double-sided cargo mat.
Both option packs can be combined at a lower cost -- $1400 for Ambition customers and $1000 for Elegance cars.
Despite the lack of fuel-saving functions like idle-stop and brake energy regeneration, the 77TSI manual returns combined fuel consumption of just 5.4L/100km and the 90TSI auto consumes 6.0L/100km.
Skoda claims the Rapid Spaceback is one of the most spacious cars in its class, with a 384-litre boot, 1349 litres of total cargo space and 984mm of rear headroom.
There are also plenty of ‘Simply Clever’ storage solutions, including huge door pockets with bottle holders, a ticket holder in the driver’s A-pillar, multimedia (phone) holder, front and rear cup holders, rear seatbelt buckle slots and a parcel shelf that can be stowed behind the rear seats.
The Rapid Spaceback rides on a 2602mm wheelbase and incorporates MacPherson strut front and compound-link crank-axle rear suspension systems, and a speed-dependent column-mounted electro-mechanical power steering (C-EPS) system.
Solid exterior paint colour options include Candy White and Corrida Red, while metallic hues include Moon White, Brilliant Silver, Denim Blue, Cappuccino and Black Magic with pearl effect.
2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback pricing (plus ORCs):
77TSI Ambition manual -- $18,990
90TSI Ambition auto -- $21,890
90TSI Elegance auto -- $23,750
Style Pack:
Ambition -- $2100
Elegance -- $1800
Sports Pack:
Ambition -- $1600
Ambition with Style Pack – $1400
Elegance -- $1000
Elegance with Sports Pack -- $1000
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