Skoda has recently teased its upcoming Rapid Spaceback that will be showcased at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Rapid Spaceback is an estate version of the regular European Rapid sedan and Skoda is targeting young buyers with this new model. The company states that this is first time when any estate version will be produced for the mass market. The Spaceback will reach European outlets by October this year. Skoda is planning a baronial bang for the automobile market with several new launches in the next couple of years. Apparently, the Rapid Spaceback’s introduction will be followed by giving a subtle facelift to the company’s iconic CUV, Yeti.
The list doesn’t end here as Skoda has an extensive launch plan for other models too. We have recollected our earlier reports for Skoda and have played some criss-cross puzzles along with the current emerging news for the same company and the results we get are quite interesting. Skoda has extensive plans to revise and to expand its complete product lineup across the world. The company is planning to rejuvenate its existing offerings along with the introduction of several other new models in the coming years.
If we start with Skoda’s hatchback, Fabia, the car has been selling in good numbers in the European market nonetheless it has almost lost its presence in India. The rumours suggest that the company will launch the next generation Fabia around mid-half of 2014. The new Fabia will be longer than the current car and will be completely revised, similarly as seen with the upcoming Octavia.
Skoda is also working on a new 7-seater premium SUV that is inspired from the Range Rover Evoque. The SUV will have to be underpinned with the longest version of the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform. The facelift of the company’s flagship model, Superb, was recently spotted on our country roads that also makes the certainty of it to get launched by the end of the year.
We have earlier reported that Skoda will also enter in the compact utility as well as in the compact sedan segment. The company will launch a Mini Yeti (speculative name) which will be based on the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun with an all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine that Volkswagen and Skoda are developing for expanding their model range in lower segments. The compact sedan is likely to be conceived by Skoda’s mini hatchback, Citigo, which we have already reviewed last year (HERE). However both compact vehicles can not be expected in the near future as the development will require a long span to alter the vehicle according to the market requirements.
Skoda cars are known for their heavy built and good performance but mediocre after sales service and inadequate product planning in respect to Indian market, dis-contrast the company’s presence in the market. However, the launch of the Rapid (re-badged Vento) has aided Skoda quite well. Skoda will start a new innings with the premiere of the Rapid Spaceback that will be followed by a range of products to revitalise the company’s presence in the automobile world.
