The new ŠKODA Rapid Xin Rui for China is ŠKODA’s star of the show at the Shanghai Auto Show 2013. The company will introduce its new compact limousine Rapid Xin Rui in China. The new model will launch in China within the month of April. The brand’s 15,000 square foot exhibit space will also feature the ŠKODA Yeti and the Superb Combi, which are being introduced in China. Visitors will also be able to see the Fabia, the Octavia and Superb limousines that are currently available on the Chinese market. ŠKODA’s large exhibit in Shanghai underscores the company’s ambition for growth in its largest market. The highlight of the ŠKODA presentation in Shanghai will be the ŠKODA Rapid Xin Rui. This compact sedan named Rapid has been customized to the needs of Chinese customers and offers a total of nine different packages.
“The ŠKODA Rapid is crucial for our growth in the next few years,” says ŠKODA’s CEO Winfried Vahland. “China in particular is a key growth market for us. We are looking to expand here in the coming years with the Rapid and other new models. The Rapid has everything going for it to become another successful model of our brand in China. It boasts roominess, expressive design, great value, high functionality, comprehensive safety features, and economical engines. This is the new ŠKODA class for China,” says Vahland.
The brand’s intends to grow its sales in China to roughly half a million units per year. To this end, ŠKODA is expanding its local model range: The new, compact ŠKODA family limousine Rapid Xin Rui and the ŠKODA SUV Yeti, both of which are being introduced this year, are the fourth and fifth ŠKODA models to launch in China. The ŠKODA Superb estate is available as an import. The Yeti will be purchased as in import model. Subsequently, the ŠKODA Octavia is scheduled to launch in China in 2014.
At the Shanghai Auto Show, the Czech automaker will present the ŠKODA Rapid as well as its vehicles available for sale in the country—the Fabia hatch, and the Octavia and Superb sedans. In 2012, these three models helped ŠKODA achieve a new record in sales. The brand delivered 235,700 units to Chinese customers—over seven per cent more than in the previous year. ŠKODA’s best-selling model was the Octavia Limousine.
ŠKODA Rapid Xin Rui – the family car for China
The car has been developed as classic notchback saloon, a model variant especially popular in China, and aimed especially at families as a core target group. The Rapid complements the model line-up between the ŠKODA Fabia and the new ŠKODA Octavia. This makes it at home in the China’s high-volume compact segment.
Specific design modifications cater to the taste of Chinese customers. This includes an increased use of chrome elements. A total of nine equipment option packages offer customers a great variety in terms of comfort and safety. In China, the Rapid is available with a choice of two efficient petrol engines: A 1.4 MPI/66 kW and a 1.6 MPI/81 kW.
The new ŠKODA design: clear, precise, fresh, timeless, and elegant
The first ever model for China entirely designed following ŠKODA’s newly developed design language, the Rapid boasts perfect proportions, clear and carefully modelled surfaces and sharply drawn lines. The front part displays the new interpretation of ŠKODA’s signature design elements.
The new brand logo proudly adorns the harmoniously rounded front part of the bonnet. Defined by 19 vertically aligned slats, the radiator grille presents a finely-drawn chrome frame. At the front of the vehicle, the ŠKODA Rapid’s headlight unit is grouped in a shape reminiscent of a clover leaf.
The sideline is characterised by a long wheel base and a precise, sharp tornado line, which produces a clear separation of light and shadow. In the rear, the brand’s signature C-shaped tail lights provide a striking and distinctive visual, just as do the two new cubist triangular elements and the new brand logo.
Active and passive safety
The ŠKODA Rapid places great emphasis on active and passive safety, with ABS standard. ESC is also available for the Chinese Rapid.
A long wheel base, precise chassis and rigid body provide the basis for stable driving dynamics. As far as passive safety is concerned, passengers are protected by a comprehensive safety package in case of impact. This includes up to 6 airbags, height-adjustable 3-point seatbelts with belt tensioners front, and head restraints. The rigid body’s deformation behaviour on impact is exemplary.
Successful model range for China
The ŠKODA Rapid now being launched in China is part of the largest model initiative in ŠKODA’s history. The manufacturer aims to increase its worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million per year by 2018. With a total of 939,200 delivered vehicles, ŠKODA set a new sales record in 2012. Compared with 2011, deliveries increased by 6.8 percent. In 2013, ŠKODA will present eight new or re-engineered vehicles. This shows the brand is upholding its growth strategy even in economically challenging times.
The best-selling ŠKODA model in China, the ŠKODA Octavia, boasted 142,800 deliveries in 2012, a total of 60 percent of all local ŠKODA sales. Octavia sales in China thus increased by 15.8 percent in 2012. The Octavia’s roominess, timeless design, exceptional value, high-quality workmanship and great functionality are impressive. Both the driver and passengers have ample space, especially leg and head room. With its carefully selected materials and functionally organized controls, the Octavia’s interior is attractive and exceptionally comfortable for all occupants. In 2014, the third-generation Octavia will launch on the Chinese market.
In China, the Octavia is currently available in five different gasoline engine versions, offered in combination with manual transmission, automatic transmission, and DSG automatic dual clutch transmission. Engines range from 1.6 MPI/77 kW to 2.0 TSI/147 kW in the Octavia RS. A particularly economical version is available as well: the Octavia GreenLine 1.4 TSI/96 kW is equipped with a start-stop system with brake energy recuperation.
The ŠKODA Fabia is a roomy and efficient entry-level model in the compact car class. On ŠKODA’s sales performance list, the Fabia takes second place, just behind the Octavia—worldwide as well as in China. In China, ŠKODA delivered roughly 49,800 Fabias in 2012. The Fabia offers generous space for up to five passengers, as well as a boot that is exceptionally large for its segment, ranging from 300 to 1,163 litres. In China, the Fabia is available in two petrol engine versions, each with either manual or automatic transmission. The engine performance options are 63 or 77 kW, and capacity options are 1.4 or 1.6 liters. The vehicle consumes between 6.4 and 7.2 litres per 100 km.
The Fabia has made a name for itself in international rally races for many years. The Fabia Super 2000 won ŠKODA the 2012 APRC Asia Pacific Rally Championship. The brand also won the manufacturers’ IRC Intercontinental Rally Championship for the third time in a row, the driver title in the European Rally Championship, and six national Rally titles.
The ŠKODA Superb is the brand’s top model and flagship. Just as does the entire model range, so the Superb sets standards in its segment for its spaciousness. The ŠKODA Superb is the roomiest sedan in its class and leaves the competition far behind when it comes to space for passengers in the rear. This makes the Superb both the perfect family car and an attractive company car—with or without a chauffeur.
In addition to being attractive due to its elegant design, the Superb offers more than the average amount of space. Driver and passengers travel extremely comfortably, both in the front and in the rear seats. The interior will satisfy even the highest expectations with a finely tuned mix of materials and excellent workmanship. The innovative TwinDoor tailgate concept—a patented variable tailgate opening feature in the limousine —is “simply clever”. The boot lid can be opened alone or as a tailgate unit together with the rear window, as desired. This increases the usable trunk opening to about twice the size. The baggage compartments fits 565 litres, and with the rear back rests folded down the boot size increases to 1,670 litres.
Superb customers in China can select from three direct-injection gasoline engines and three transmission types: the 1.4 TSI/96 kW (with manual or DSG transmission), the 1.8 TSI/118 kW (with manual or automatic transmission), and the 2.0 TSI/147 kW (with automatic transmission only). The most economical version – the 1.4 TSI/96 kW engine with dual clutch transmission – uses a mere 6.7 litres of petrol per 100 km.
New models to be launched
The Superb Combi will be available in China as an import model. This expands the ŠKODA portfolio on the market in an entirely new direction—with an estate car in the upper middle class segment. In addition to the new top model, an internationally recognized SUV member of the ŠKODA family will make its first appearance on the market: the ŠKODA Yeti. This compact all-rounder not only boasts variable interior space, but also intelligent all-wheel-drive with Haldex clutch.
