Photo: SB-Medien
Skoda's big debut at the Paris Motor Show is called the Vision RS, a hot hatch. We've only seen a few sketches of it, but because the automaker never builds concepts that don't go into production, we speculated that it's a preview for a Rapid RS.
A few weeks ago, we learned that the next Rapid would be bigger and much better, a compact hatchback that rivals the VW Golf. And today, the first spyshots showed its production body, including at the Nurburgring.
Now, this prototype is by no means an RS. But if you look at its headlights and grille, you'll notice they very closely resemble the Vision RS concept, which suggests it's a preview. And why would Skoda name a 5-door concept "RS" if not to suggest it's making a hot hatch.
In the past, various company executives stated that the RS formula doesn't work on smaller cars. But even so, a rumor suggested the Fabia RS would eventually return with a hybrid 1.5-liter making about 180 HP.
We believe that if the Rapid RS ever happens, it would have something different under the hood. Since the Rapid is all about affordability, the most likely setup involves the 200 HP, 320 Nm 2-liter turbo from the Polo GTI. Since it's bigger and heavier, the Skoda would be slow, taking about 7 seconds to reach 100 km/h. Of course, we wouldn't mind 220 or 230 horsepower either.
It probably won't have a mechanical diff or independent rear suspension, but its base price should be several thousand euros cheaper than the Octavia RS... which isn't available right now. Still, a 6-speed DSG and adaptive dampers configurable via drive models should be available.
Speaking of the Vision RS, we know that it's 4356 mm (171.4 inches) long, 1810 mm (71 inches) wide, and 1431 mm (56 inches) tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2650 mm (104 inches).
Now, this prototype is by no means an RS. But if you look at its headlights and grille, you'll notice they very closely resemble the Vision RS concept, which suggests it's a preview. And why would Skoda name a 5-door concept "RS" if not to suggest it's making a hot hatch.
In the past, various company executives stated that the RS formula doesn't work on smaller cars. But even so, a rumor suggested the Fabia RS would eventually return with a hybrid 1.5-liter making about 180 HP.
We believe that if the Rapid RS ever happens, it would have something different under the hood. Since the Rapid is all about affordability, the most likely setup involves the 200 HP, 320 Nm 2-liter turbo from the Polo GTI. Since it's bigger and heavier, the Skoda would be slow, taking about 7 seconds to reach 100 km/h. Of course, we wouldn't mind 220 or 230 horsepower either.
It probably won't have a mechanical diff or independent rear suspension, but its base price should be several thousand euros cheaper than the Octavia RS... which isn't available right now. Still, a 6-speed DSG and adaptive dampers configurable via drive models should be available.
Speaking of the Vision RS, we know that it's 4356 mm (171.4 inches) long, 1810 mm (71 inches) wide, and 1431 mm (56 inches) tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2650 mm (104 inches).
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