Sketches reveal Skoda’s Golf rival
Sketches reveal Vision RS that’s set to be revealed in Paris ●
SKODA’S replacement for the Rapid Spaceback and more direct rival for the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus has been teased in official sketches prior to its reveal at next month’s Paris Motor Show.
The drawings show the Vision RS concept, which previews the new model. The company is being tight-lipped on technical details, but said the show car points towards the next design phase of its new VRS models, hence the name.
More significantly, the manufacturer has confirmed the concept hints at a future compact vehicle from Skoda. The dimensions of the concept – 4,356mm long, 1,810mm wide and 1,431mm tall – put the car firmly into the same space as models such as the VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.
Our first thinly-veiled glimpse at the replacement for the current Skoda Rapid Spaceback gives us a pretty good idea of how the model is shaping up. It takes on a more conventional hatchback shape over today’s model and adopts the firm’s latest design language, with slim LED headlamps and a single-frame frontt grille.
Outside of Skoda’s home marketket of the Czech Republic, the Rapid Spaceback doesn’t enjoy the same level of sales success. However, such is the transformation the hatch is set to undergo – as previewed in our exclusive image (below) – it’s understood that Skoda will take the opportunity to give its Golf rival a new name in the hope of a successful rebrand.
Presenting it as the Vision RS concept also indicates that Skoda will develop a fully-fledged Golf GTI rival. The concept features familiar VRS design cues such as the turbine alloy wheels and deep front bumpers. The closest thing the firm currently has to a competitor for the VW hot hatchback is the larger Octavia VRS.
The concept confirms Auto Express’s scoop back in March on plans for the Rapid replacement. As we outlined in Issue 1,516, the model will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB A0 platform, which also underpins the VW Polo and SEAT Ibiza superminis.
Expect the engine range to be dominated by 1.0-litre three-cylinder units and the more powerful 1.5-litre turbo. A 1.6-litre diesel optionpti is also expected to appear in the line-up.
The Vision RS concept will be fully revealed on the stands in Paris, where it will line up alongside the marque’s new Kodiaq VRS SUV.
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