SKODA Spaceback's unique selling point

Rapid Spaceback as shown at Frankfurt 

With the imminent arrival this month of the new SKODA Spaceback, the brand's Head of Marketing here, Raymond Leddy, says with the majority of Rapid saloon customers choosing petrol versions, and the same likely with the new Spaceback, the focus will be on petrol offerings.

"In recent years, the assumption was you pay more at the outset for the diesel but you make the savings in the long run on road tax and fuel. This is no longer the case as our clean TSI petrol engines have proven. Annual road tax for petrol and diesel is the same at €200 while the fuel consumption gap between petrol and diesel is closing all the time." The 86bhp 1.2 TSI petrol engine is expected to be the big seller in the range.

Leddy says the unique selling point of the Rapid Spaceback, due to go on sale later this month, is the Style Pack from €1,220 that adds a full length fixed panoramic glass sun roof, glass tail gate and other black design elements such as 17-inch sports alloy wheels and a sports steering wheel. These items individuall amount to €2,000 representing a saving of €780 for the consumer.

There's also the option of a Technical Pack which adds the Amundsden satellite navigation system and cruise control for €249, a saving of €551 for buyers.

The Spaceback gets a new dashboard with improved plastics, as well as a revision to the rear suspension to give improved ride quality while a new electromechanical steering system improves driver feedback and reduces vehicle weight.

All of these measures will feature across the entire Rapid range for 2014.