SECTOR Lower medium  PRICE €12,680 – €21,300 (approx)  FUEL 4.4 – 5.9l/100km  CO2 114 – 137g/km

MQB may be the future building block for many more VW Group models yet to come, including the latest Skoda Octavia, when it breaks cover next year. But as corporate belts tighten, it does no harm to be reminded that there are many ways of producing new models without breaking the bank. Tried and tested existing hardware and manufacturing methods can provide the starting point needed.

Enter the Skoda Rapid, bearing all the packaging hallmarks of a Skoda product. In model range terms, it fits between the Octavia and the Fabia, while where interior space is concerned, it manages to offer as much, if not more than the Octavia. And there’s a sizeable boot as well, providing 550 litres of space with the rear seat in place and 1,488 litres with them folded down. At the same time, a 1.83m tall passenger can sit behind a 1.83m tall driver with knee room to spare. That should guarantee interest from a few fleet operators.

At launch, Skoda is offering a choice of 1.2, 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI petrol engines or 1.6TDI diesel power. The entry-level 1.2-litre engine delivers 75hp, rising to 86hp for the lowest powered turbocharged 1.2TSI engine. These engines are both equipped with a five-speed gearbox, while the 105hp 1.2TSI engine comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Opt for the 122hp 1.4TSI and it comes with the seven-speed DSG automated transmission as standard, but with lower CO2 emissions than the 1.2-litre 75hp engine – 134g/km compared with 137g/km.

Diesel power comes from the 105hp variant of the VW group 1.6 TDI diesel engine, with emissions of 114g/km. In 2013 GreenTech models will also be added to the Rapid range, lowering emissions still further.

For the launch, Skoda had lined up a selection of 1.6TDI diesels, peppered with a few 1.2TSI models with both 86hp and 105hp.

Journalists are not normally known for their economy driving performances on vehicle launches, but some of the claims made included figures of 4.0 – 4.7l/100km (60-70mpg) or even better. It drives well too, with the 1.6TDI engine. It has impressed us before with its spread of torque and good refinement and it’s no different in the Rapid. The TDI was equipped with a five-speed gearbox, but this seemed no barrier to good economy and provided slick gear shifting.

Curiously the first model we drove had a good blend of ride comfort and responsive chassis, but the ride quality was stiffer in the second model fitted with smaller diameter wheels.

Skoda’s designers have done a good job, particularly in disguising the interior space when looking at the car from the outside. The Rapid follows the recent trend for more angular design, with sharp crease lines in the bonnet and body sides. Externally, it carries the Skoda grille with vertical bars up front beneath the new Skoda logo – without green finish. The bonnet line curves under that new badge. At the rear, the Rapid carries Skoda’s trademark ‘C’-shaped rear lamps, making it recognizable as a Skoda in the dark.

Aside from the hard finished plastic for the dashboard, which gives the interior a somewhat utilitarian look, the car looked well assembled and pleasing to the eye. The interior would probably look better in one of the lighter coloured finishes available, instead of the dark grey of our test cars, which made the interior somewhat austere. The switchgear and instrumentation has a familiar VW Group look about it, but it’s a familiarity that suggests good quality.

Verdict

Skoda is on to something with the Rapid. The company has developed a good looking compact hatchback with a commodious interior. One to watch.