Skoda Vision RS Concept Previews A Sexy Hatchback

That’s because it’s the breadcrumb trail to the new Rapid. But it doesn’t look anything close to a sedan, you might argue. Yep, it’s a big hatch all right. In European markets, the Rapid sedan gets a ‘Spaceback’ version that ditches the three-box design for a two-box setup. Rumour has it that Skoda is planning on doing away with the Spaceback nameplate and just calling the new hatch the Rapid. So, what we’re looking at, in essence, is Skoda’s version of the Volkswagen Golf.

And boy oh boy is it a looker. We see Skoda’s trademark crystalline philosophy in play here, with sharp edges and aggressive clefts along the side and the rear. Size wise, it’s 4356mm long, 1810mm wide and 1431mm tall. The wheels are pushed outwards all the way to open up a wheelbase of 2650mm. One can tell by looking at the low splitter and the usage of carbon fibre that Skoda wants the RS badge to evolve into being outright sporty and not dolled up versions of their regular cars.

There are the usual Skoda elements too, including the familiar grille. The headlamps adopt an all-LED theme, while the tail lamps are strikingly similar to what we’ve seen on newer Skodas, including the Karoq and the Kodiaq. We love the little details too, like the absence of door handles, the illuminated Skoda insignia on the boot and the gentle slope of rear windscreen.

What’s particularly interesting, for us folks in India at least, is the fact that the next-gen Rapid will be based on the MQB A0 platform. This is the same modular platform Skoda plans on localising for the VW Group in India. Does this mean we’ll get to see this big hatch on our roads soon? Erm, don’t get your hopes up. Skoda has promised us an SUV by 2020, which is likely to be followed by the T-Cross SUV by Volkswagen. There are follow-up products too, which are expected to be the new Polo, and possibly the new Fabia as well.