This is how the European Skoda Rapid notchback will look like

Skoda names its products differently for different markets like most other car makers but then, Skoda also uses the same names on different products in different markets and that’s what confounds most people. Here’s a classic example of that. Skoda sells the Rapid sedan in India, which is a rebadged and restyled Volkswagen Vento in Skoda garb. The Volkswagen group owned Czech brand will launch the Rapid in Europe as well, with the big difference being the fact that the European Rapid could feature a notchback design along with the car being much bigger than the Indian Rapid sedan.

2013 European Skoda Rapid Notchback Spyshot

In fact, the European Rapid will replace the Skoda Octavia/Laura, which in its next generation, will become larger to occupy the space of the Skoda Superb luxury saloon. The Skoda Superb will in turn get bigger and more luxurious than ever before. This, in a nutshell is what Skoda is planning when it comes to the sedans it will offer in the coming years. Coming back to the European Skoda Rapid, we’ve showcased a rendering on how this car will look like, and from the spyshots we have with us, courtesy our friends over at AutoEvolution, our renders closely match what we’re seeing through the spyshots.

The European Rapid comes with an all new styling, with brand new headlamps, bumpers and grille. However, the front grille features the trademark Skoda styling treatment. From the rear too, the styling elements on the European Rapid are unmistakably Skoda. Given that the European model will technically replace the Octavia/Laura, the interiors of the D-segment car are expected to be much roomier than the Indian version of the car, which incidentally is positioned in the C-segment space. Engine wise, the car is expected to come with both petrol and diesel power.

: European Skoda Rapid Notchback

: 2013 European Skoda Rapid

: 2013 European Skoda Rapid Notchback Spyshot

Given the higher demands on fuel economy and lower emissions, both the petrol and diesel engines are expected to be available with forced induction and direct injection. In the Indian car market, the European Rapid could be launched as the next generation Octavia even as the Laura grows up to become a bigger car model based on the MQB platform, that will underpin most new mass market sedans from the Volkswagen group. The Rapid is expected to make its European debut sometime in early 2013.

Spyshot Courtesy AutoEvolution