SPY PICS: Skoda Rapid Spaceback

The clearest images yet of Skoda's new Rapid Spaceback wagon have been snapped in the Czech Republic. The compact wagon will be revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show in September ahead of its Australian arrival in early 2014.

The Rapid Spaceback's proportions show the vehicle will rival wagon variants of small cars like the Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30 and even sister company Volkswagen's Golf wagon.

The new Rapid will be a key car in Skoda's Australian range, expected to outsell the brand's current top-seller, the Octavia. Pricing for the Rapid sedan is expected to start at under $20,000. You’ll likely pay slightly more for the wagon.

Skoda Australia hasn't put an exact date on when the car will come to Australia but early 2014 is most likely for the wagon, following the Rapid sedan launch in the third quarter of 2013.

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback wagon will have a more cargo space than the already commodious 530-litres of the sedan. This should increase its appeal to budget-conscious family buyers and fleets.

The Skoda Rapid made its Australian debut at the Sydney motor show in 2012 and confirmed engines include 77kW 1.2-litre and 90kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engines. A 77kW 1.6-litre turbo-diesel is also likely. Manual and dual-clutch DSG transmissions will be available.

Fitting in between the Fabia light car and Octavia medium car (which has grown in its latest guise), the Rapid is based on a modified version of the Fabia's platform and not the VW Group's MQB architecture that underpins the new Octavia and Golf.

As such the new small car will champion value for money, interior space and functionality ahead of driving dynamics.

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