Skoda Rapid Spaceback and VW Golf VII Variant

As a rule, I only cover cars that were grown from the country where its made, well almost. Japanese cars speak Japanese, Korean cars speak Korean, American cars speak American, German cars speak German, you get the idea. As for the Skoda Rapid, released last year, I'm only focused on the original Czech version rather than the Indian remake because they're very different from how it's made. Mlada Boleslav-made Rapid is the original Rapid I'm tackling because, well you know the rule, we don't cover cars not sold from its home markets.

2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback

This is the Rapid Spaceback model and this hatchback version is what you can expect only on the original Czech version. Apart from its hatchback looks, Skoda claims that the all new Spaceback is the “first Skoda hatchback in the high-volume compact segment,” which looks “dynamic and fresh for young customer groups.” Yeah. For young customer groups but how dynamic and fresh is the new Spaceback?

First and foremost, the new Spaceback costs 269 900 Kč, which is the same as the saloon model I've examined last year alongside its Spanish SEAT Toledo twin, and amazingly, even in an altered bodywork to accommodate more space in the back, you can still expect the same engine choices like the 1.2 MPi, 1.2 TSi, 1.4 TSi, and the 1.6 TDi engine. Depending on the engine types, you can go for either a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, and a 7-speed DSG.

The most powerful in the lineup was the one with the 1.4 TSi engine which has a 0-100kph time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of about 203kph. Hmmm...Not quite exciting for a car like that though but the 1.2 TSi engine model is a moderate one that can be taken very seriously. Regardless of the specs, what's like to drive as a driver's car?

2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback interior

By the moment you first drive the Spaceback, your first impressions isn't really a good one because judging by all means Czech, it feels as cruddy as the Korean cars and as confused as the low-cost machines, especially the one you can keep yelling "Good News" to your peers. It's like some of the things Jon Tickle's body can't do but for this Spaceback, there is one thing you can't do; to excite. It maybe a yuppie's car but trying to have fun in one of these is as...pre-school-ish as letting your baby do all of the things you can't. It feels like just another senior citizens' car or rather a future banger but despite that, it's still work as a family car.

With rear seats in place, the Spaceback offers 415L of space, more than enough to put your everyday groceries on the back but if you're in a bit of a leisure man, you can fold the rear seats down and attain 1380 litres of space, more than the present-day VW Golf has but less than its big brother, the Octavia. The interior maybe suffered from, what should I call it, cost-cutting-itis, but in terms of today's economy, it's a smart buy for those who want a new car that suits their budget. Hmmm... Cost-cutting-itis? I should better add that to the Big Book of Boo Boos. Don't judge me from this, this isn't some sort of kids show my baby's frequently watching, I'm in a middle of...this!

Anyway, the Rapid Spaceback maybe more of an Audi A3 on a budget but it's still doesn't worth the mettle to be a family car. Regardless from this, this is one proof that I only choose the original Czech Rapid rather than the Indian-dubbed remake. Same thing why I like the original UK version of Top Gear rather than the US version.

However, if I want a more practical family mover, I have to move to Germany and check this out...

2014 Volkswagen Golf Variant

It's the brand new Golf VII Variant, it's basically an all-new model based on an all-new Golf rather than a carryover from the previous model and oh, if you're from North America, nein. This new Golf Variant won't be called J_tt_ Sp_rt_w_g_n (some vowels blocked to avoid search query hijinks, again. I said this so I don't want to see some mess when I check my site's analytics, you get me?). Anyway, it maybe larger than the original Golf hatchback but thanks to its enhanced rear legroom, it's much better than the Rapid Spaceback as well.

The Golf has been proven to be a people power for the masses and this is the first to incorporate Volkswagen Group's new MQB platform which you can expect future models from the VW Group to wear this new outfit. The benefits include reduced weight (up to 105 kg lighter), optimised package (100 litres more cargo space), sharper body proportions, new safety and convenience systems, new petrol and diesel engines (up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient) and new running gear technologies.

With Volkswagen finally returned on Philippine soil, it seems the latest Golf will not come around until next year because so far, the only available VWs Filipinos can buy are The Beetle, the Touareg, the Tiguan crossover, the Jetta sedan, and the Touran minivan, which is essentially based on the Golf. One thing that really shocked me is that the petrol VW engines are not compatible with Philippine fuels because of, and we're not joking because Automobile Central Enterprises confirmed, manganese. Eewww...

2014 Volkswagen Golf Variant interior

Anyway, back on the new Golf Variant because for the first time, it comes with the XDS+ electronic differential lock which corrects the car every time when it faces the corners. You can opt in for the DCC dynamic chassis control in which at the touch of a button, you can make it more comfortable on the normal roads or sportier on the open roads but as for me, no matter which mode, it feels almost the same as none. You want to have a more comfortable ride or a sportier ride but by default, it feels a bit more of a default. Oh and if you're going old-school, there's also the sport suspension which drops the car by just 15mm. Lower height makes it a well-cornering act but be warned, it does make you feel uncomfortable on your back because when you hit the bumps, expect your ribs to be transplanted on your head.

There are so many engine types offered on the Variant like the 1.2 TSi, a 1.4 TSi, a 1.6 TDi, and a 2.0 TDi engine but for those who want a well-balanced car should go for the one with the 1.4 TSi with 122PS of power. 0-100 takes about 9.7 seconds and flatout, it will do about 204kph, faster than the Rapid Spaceback's but there's a twist and that's the stupid 7-speed double clutch gearbox which is as swift as a metro aide clearing the roads from the falling leaves. Do I have to be bothered by this? Well, there are so many choices available for the new Golf Variant but it might be best not to go to a more complicated ones.

Unlike any other big wagons available, the new Golf Variant is worth a value for the masses and with 18,950 Euros of starting price, that makes it a great value so it's your choice; if you want a family car would you consider a Czech hatchback with a different back or a true German family car that is worth noting than nothing? Good luck, pals.

Photo: Volkswagen Group

New Skoda Rapid and New Seat Toledo

This is the first of one of today's offerings. It's the new age of Skoda, the first of its kind, a compact sedan. The Skoda Rapid. It maybe essentially a production version of the MissionL concept car as seen on 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show but this one though is a bit more clever than that...

2013 Skoda Rapid

Now, if you're from India, then to you, your India's Rapid is different from our Rapid. As I want to say, the real Skoda Rapid we'll talk about is the new one. The real one. The made-in-Mladá Boleslav one. The one from the Paris Motor Show. Not the poor man's Rapid which was made in Pune. Indian Rapids had the old Skoda badge on it while the Rapid that was made in Mlada Boleslav, Czech, has the new Skoda trademark front as well as the new Skoda logo. See the difference? Yep, it stays true to its brand slogan; "Simply Clever".

Hopefully, I don't want anyone from India reading this article or searching for it. Anyway, this new Rapid is coming back fighting and the most powerful version as of now is the 1.4 TSi model that produces 122PS of power, 0-100kph time of 9.5 seconds, and top speed of 206kph. Most fuel efficient is the one with the 1.6 TDi engine mated with the 5-speed manual that promises combined consumption of 23.8km/L (4.2l/100km). There are other engine types available such as the 1.2 MPi, 1.2 TSi, and a 1.6 TDi with 105PS power output and whichever engine you're on, transmission offerings will be a 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, or a 7-speed DSG.

Prices start at about 289,000 Koruna or about an estimated 11,500 Euros for the basic Skoda Rapid Active 1.2 MPi 5MT varnat up to 459,900 Koruna or about an estimated 18,210 Euros for the top of the line Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.4 TSi 7-speed DSG model.

2013 Skoda Rapid interior

It looks nice though and somewhat practical because what's underneath the Rapid is a chassis from the current generation Volkswagen Polo, which means there's a bit of cleverness going on. Sure, Skoda is the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, the Germans have done it again to keep the new Rapid well-made for the developing markets, even China's going to get one of these soon.

2013 Skoda Rapid

It may look like a saloon car but it is essentially a 5-door liftback promising a luggage capacity of 550 litres. That makes it a good compact car all-round for everyday use and I think the all new Rapid could claim to be Czech's first of its kind.

However, it must now face this. A car that seems to be the identical twin of the Skoda Rapid...

2013 Seat Toledo

The se habla español SEAT Toledo. It's back. The compact saloon is back and now it uses the same aesthetics from the Skoda Rapid. It might be more of the production version of the concept version as seen from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show but by the looks of it, the Seat Toledo's dramatic design blows the Rapid out of the water. It looks even more premium and stylish unlike any other compact saloons in this category.

2013 Seat Toledo interior

Even though the new Toledo, like the new Rapid, comes with the same engine choices such as the 1.2 MPi, 1.2 TSi, 1.4 TSi, and the 1.6 TDi engine but when it comes to dimensions, the Toledo is longer than the Rapid thanks to its long wheelbase.

2013 Seat Toledo

However, there are a couple of chinks behind the Toledo's elegance; while the Rapid costs about an estimated 11,500 Euros for the entry-level grade, the entry-level grade for the Toledo will cost you 13.990 Euros, that's more than the Rapid even though they are made at the same line and they used the same A05+ platform. Also, the Toledo's less wider than the Rapid. You really can't tell which one has a wide stance.

But still, the Toledo is much more better looking than the Rapid because while the Rapid is focused to be more simple but the new Toledo is very stylish, very practical, and very emotional in every corner. These two compact saloons is what the Czech and the Spanish are capable of in the midst of the Euro Debt Crisis that hampering European carmakers for days but would they work in today's economy? You'll have to find that out soon...

Photo: Skoda Auto, SEAT