We always thought that an estate version of the Skoda Rapid was a very interesting proposition for its respective sector of the market, and we were expecting to see one very soon. Now, to be honest, we’re not entirely sure that the car captured by the folks over at Nacho Fernández López’ blog is indeed the new Rapid estate or the next generation Fabia Combi.
The reason why we’re leaving a question mark has to do as much with Skoda’s one-style-fits all design strategy, as it has with the fact that this particular model featured a “Fabia” moniker on the tailgate. That’s not to say Skoda may have placed the logo there simply to confuse us – which it did…
Either way, looking at the car, the design is very clean, simple, and we’re 99 percent sure of motorway users at the time did not even suspect this was a new model, or something they hadn’t seen before, just because it is so understated in its aesthetics.
If it is the Rapid, which in its estate/wagon form, could be called the “Spaceback”, we expect it to be very similar to the regular liftback model, the sole difference being extra room in the back for passengers and cargo, and a slight dip in performance. The engine range will be carried over, and the two cars will be almost indistinguishable in their driving manners – a good thing, because some estate versions of cars have suffered in the past due to their different suspension setup for the rear axle.
You can take a look at the photos below and tell us which model you think it is.
By Andrei Nedelea
Photo Credits: Nachoferlo
PHOTO GALLERY
