Skoda to reveal Vision RS concept at Paris motor show

August 30, 2018

Vision RS demonstrates what the next-generation Rapid could evolve into, with sportier looks and a more conventional hatchback shape

Skoda has revealed sketches of its upcoming Paris motor show-bound concept car, the Vision RS.

At 4356mm long, 1810mm wide and 1431mm tall, it’s longer, narrower and squatter than the current Rapid Spaceback and signposts what that model's indirect hatchback replacement will look like upon its arrival in early 2019. It won’t be called Rapid, though.

Designating the concept as the Vision RS also suggests that Skoda intends to make the next Rapid decidedly more sporting than the present iteration, with a hot vRS model to boot - not currently offered on the Rapid. Sales and marketing boss Alain Favey previously confirmed to Autocar that the car will have “completely new technology, completely new styling”.

The car’s handling will be vastly improved over that of the current Rapid, as the car adopts the MQB A0 platform already used on the Seat Ibiza, Volkswagen Polo and Seat Arona. It will be the first Skoda to be based on this platform if it appears before the production version of the Vision X small SUV concept. It’ll be repositioned to avoid crossover with the Octavia in the C-segment hatchback market, too, said Favey.

“The Rapid is clearly a Golf rival in design, while the Octavia is a three-box hatch. The real Golf contender will be Rapid. You will not be able to be confused between the new Rapid and Octavia.”

Skoda has given the Vision RS sportier styling than that of the Rapid, with a more aggressive front end and a more conventional hatchback-like rear. The liftback version seen on the current Rapid will not be carried over.