Here are the official pictures of Skoda’s production-ready Rapid for the European market. The Rapid is the first Skoda model to feature the brand’s new design language. Inspired by the Mission L concept, the new styling is characterised by a four-lamp headlight, trapezoidal fog lights and monochrome Skoda badge mounted on the bonnet with the company’s revised logo.

The exterior design sports clean and sharply drawn lines and the new grille is formed by vertical black slats bordered by a finely drawn chrome frame.

In profile, the liftback’s long wheelbase gives it a coupe-like silhouette, while at the rear the car’s boot design is similar to that of the Indian Rapid. However, while the Indian Rapid has a conventional boot, the European model has a liftback, hinged at the roof, like the Laura and Superb. The distinctly shaped taillights in the brand’s typical C shape, and the new logo all combine to make the Rapid unmistakably Skoda.

“This is a car that gives out a clear statement at first glance: clear, precise, fresh and emotional,” says Eckhard Scholz, Skoda board member for technical development.

Included in the model's engine line-up for European markets are seven engine options, including five petrols and two diesels. However, further details remain scarce.

The Rapid is 4.48m long and 1.7m wide, and its long wheelbase and torsion-beam rear axle are said to create larger cabin and boot space than even the current-generation Laura.

The new European Rapid will be on public display for the first time at the Paris Auto Show. 

More images here