Skoda Rapid test drive since 2011 sedan
Simplicity is a terrible force!
That's what we had not had for so long! So that someone will come out and say: here is the market, a car! Not newfangled, not sophisticated. Just a car. Just talking for himself. And it seems that Skoda did it. At least, judging by the interest that Rapid caused me and the views of colleagues. The official dinner came to an end, in the parking lot of the restaurant we will find a whole string of snow -white Superb to take us to the hotel. But we continue conversations with Skoda representatives. An individual interview with the head of the Rapid project Irji Dietrich turned out to be interesting for a dozen people and grew into a lively conversation by almost an hour. And nearby, the head of the design, the representative of the marketing department and the questions are asked not only we. I do not remember for all the numerous presentation trips so that the discussions are so long.
There is something to talk about! Skoda has prepared a bomb! For the Czechs themselves, Rapid becomes not only a new model, but also the first to receive a new face of the brand that rises in the Skoda 2018 strategy as a fashion legislator. Occupying a new niche, slightly extending Fabia and striving for the average size of Octavia. And fully embodied the brand slogan: Simply Clever. By the way, we are discussing not even the most correct transmission of the meaning of this slogan translated. You can safely say about Rapid: everything is ingenious simply! And it will be much more accurate.
In recent years, they gave us a series of prime minister in a compact class. And almost all of them entered our market with an eye on success in the fierce battle in the segment, having a unconditional stimulus in the person of Renault Logan. Hyundai Solaris, VW Polo Sedan, Kia Rio can continue! Everyone beat something his own. The Germans belonging to the breed, Koreans Europeanized design and filling with all sorts of modern bells and whistles. On the side of the Frenchman remained a pending perfectly proven in our conditions.
And the Czechs made easier. They just prepared a car. And at first they gave it to taste, and only then they shook their message. Naturally, imbued with marketing techniques. But by this moment there were almost no those who themselves did not fall under the charm of Rapid!
Yes, this is the brainchild of the new modular structure of Volkswagen. The front of Fabia was crossed with the back from the previous generation Octavia. Roomster was also born in this vein. Rapid, moreover, will be different for Europe and Asia. In China and India, the Polo Sedan double. But in Europe with increased length, trunk volume, a place for the rear passengers will become either a killer among compacts, or will enter the inter -class space. Indeed, in length, the car turned out more than the current Octavia! Plus, the continuation of the traditions of practical liftbacks (outwardly sedan, but the trunk lid rises with the rear window). Plus the prospect of the appearance of the station wagon. And the Russian market is expected to go out a car with a 15 mm clearance and more humane suspension settings (current, European, and are really harsh for our realities).
It is expected because shown versions with gasoline and diesel engines (there are seven options in the range: five gasoline and two diesel ones) are still pre -production. We need to talk about what prices will be in Russia, and even about which versions and configuration will be chosen, early, you need to wait about a year. It was possible to try one of the average in terms of power of the gasoline engine 86-horsepower 1.2TSI (exists in the 105-liter option) and the eldest of the 1.6TDI 105 l. With. Both with the only mechanics possible for them. Only the most powerful of the gasoline, 1.4TSI (122 pp) and the younger 90-horsepower diesel 1.6 will boast of the seven-speed DSG. There are also three -cylinder atmospheric 1.2 and the good old all -folkswagen 1.6.
A less powerful and moment gasoline engine was not at all boring more than a receipt diesel. Again, a rare case in my memory. With both Rapid engines, there is enough cut, albeit not a sport-combination. On the European suspension, handling is magnificent! The machine does not force her to explain what to do, easily following where the driver only hints to her. There are no complaints! But there is a nuance. On pre -production rapids, an electro -hydraulic steering wheel amplifier. And there are reasons (directly arising from Mr. Dietrich) to expect that electric vehicles will appear on markets. The one that is installed on Polo Sedan. And having already managed to catch the complaints addressed to him. Let them have time to completely bring it to mind, but will not the best enemy of good, do not leave a successful combined? I'm afraid the corporate answer will not be strictly left. I would like to attribute two more points to the pre -production flaws. The driver's lack of the opportunity to control the backdrops of the rear doors and the territorial conflict of the armrest between the front seats and the handle of the hand brake. The handbrake rests, making its use uncomfortable, not even to mention cases of extreme management, and this, by the way, is a safety tool. I would like to hope that unanimous criticism will take the action! Indeed, in fact, there is nothing more to find fault.
Even sounding fears that the slope of the roof of the Liftback will land on the back row of a height limited in height. Yes, with a special desire to make your own head with the sparkle of the ceiling, but even with my height of 192 cm there is more space up than other cars with a couple of classes higher! The opportunity to sit down for Skoda himself is generally a good family trait. Yes, there is not much space in front in front, but we are talking about compact! But at the back it is enough, and there is also a record in the volume in the classroom 550-liter trunk (with typical shkodovsky chips-organai-outs and hooks). And under it, a full -fledged spare wheel was also fit!
And even in the car is a bunch of all sorts of just geniuses that build the practicality of Rapid to an excellent degree. Tree on the phone on the sidewalls of the seats are familiar with Citigo, and it is great that the idea found development! A special holder for a smartphone in one of the cup holders, a garbage container in the door pocket, a bilateral (decorative pile and practical rubber) a rug in the trunk and why did no one have thought up to the nests under the support of seat belts on the back row in the arreas of the wheel? All ingenious is simple! The holder for a flashlight in the glove compartment, a pocket for a reflective vest under the seat, even a plastic scraper for glasses under the lid of a gas tank hatch! Little things, just reasonable simple things, like strokes, making simple ingenious. And the requirements of time are followed: here you have AUX connector for iPod, and touchscreen navigation, and multimedia center (albeit simple).
And, of course, design! The creators consider the new face of the brand an image of time. Perhaps they are right! There are no trends of momentary fashion and there is no rapid obsolescence. The front of the car is alive, welcoming and at the same time restrained. And the Skodovites themselves do not forget to remind you of a corporate icon that has moved to a tide of the hood and that the headlights, this badge and foggy are built in the image of a leaf of clover. Let's say it is easier: the car is designed, harmonious and beautiful. Honestly, I thought of whether the car was waiting for such a car, who was tired of marketing tricks and all doubtful usefulness, but high modality of decisions of the market? So just a car?
Source: Cars
