The Skoda Rapid Spaceback has not been on sale for long, but there’s already a more eco-friendly GreenLine version, which is also available for the regular sedan-shaped liftback model. Now, both variants have been priced and rated in the UK, where they start at £17,195 and £17,535 respectively.
However, despite having different body styles and weights, both models are quoted to return the very same 74.3 mpg UK (3.8 l/100km or 61.9 mpg US) and emit 99 g/km CO2. These numbers will make these two cars excellent fleet choices and are partly down to the efficiency tweaks done to the cars, like the use of low rolling resistance tires.
Spec-wise, buyers will be treated to a detuned version of the now familiar 1.6-liter TDI engine, which puts out 89 hp, comes fitted with a particulate filter and drives the front wheels via a traditional five-speed manual gearbox. At least there are 15-inch alloys as standard, as are foglights, height-adjustable driver’s seat, manual air-con, reach- and rake-adjustable steering wheel and the trademark Maxi-DOT extended function trip computer (a must on any new Skoda, really – should be standard, but it’s not).
If you order one now (which you can), Skoda says you will be taking delivery in early 2014.
Still, keep in mind that the larger, better and more comfortable Octavia GreenLine, equipped with the non-detuned version of the same engine is considerably more frugal and ever so slightly friendlier to the environment (it’s probably quicker too, though they don’t quote acceleration times).
By Andrei Nedelea
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