Skoda Rapid Spaceback Revealed, Sedan Scratched From Local Launch List

Skoda has wasted no time unveiling its new Rapid Spaceback, revealed online just hours after releasing a set of telling teaser images.

The carmaker's local arm has also confirmed the Spaceback will be the first model in the Rapid range to hit Australia.

The sedan was expected to have debuted here by now, but switching to the Spaceback body - due in Europe from October and bound to be a more popular offering - has caused a delay in the Rapid's local launch timing.

Speaking with TMR today, Skoda Australia's Kurt McGuinness confirmed a first-half 2014 debut for the Spaceback, with the liftback sedan moved to the 'wait and see' list.

"We wanted to wait for this model before launching the Rapid as it sits in the larger small hatch market," Mr McGuinness said. "For now, we are just going to focus on our volume seller."

Importantly for Skoda, the Rapid Spaceback will be the first small hatch offered by the Czech carmaker in Australia, entering the range above the light Fabia.