The new Skoda Rapid in UK later this year

The new Skoda compact hatch is to be called the ‘Rapid’ and will make its debut in Europe before the end of the year. A Chinese version of the Rapid will be built and sold in China from 2012.

The Rapid name has been used on a small Indian market Skoda in recent years, but is best known as the coupe that was on sale in UK in the late eighties and ceased production in 1990.

The new Skoda Rapid will sit between the Fabia supermini and Octavia hatch in price and size, it is reported that the starting price will be approximately £12,000.

Skoda chose the Beijing Motor Show for the announcement of the new Skoda Rapid due to the importance of the Chinese market to the Czech car maker. Twenty five per cent of all Skoda’s sold worldwide are sold in China. The UK remains an important market, though, accounting for five per cent of all sales.