Skoda at the Australian International Motorshow

[brenno]

Boy have they gone cheap on it! Skoda, no-one is going to buy a car that feels worse than a bin on the inside! The plastics are horrible, there is no soft-touch stuff anywhere in the cabin, it's really scratchy everywhere and the Fabia has a much higher quality interior.

I thought the hard plastic/soft plastic thing was just so journalists could fill an article. People actually judge a car based on this? People get excited about texture of plastics? I'm surprised.

A $21,990 Mazda3 (the price point rumoured the Rapid will start at) has 115kW, not 77, and anyone comparing the two wouldn't even bother test driving the Rapid. Practicality aside, why would anyone buy the Skoda?

I dare say the Rapid would feel more spritely on the road, with a more favourable kg/torque figure (6.95 Kg/Nm as opposed to 6.51kg/Nm). It's not too hard to figure out. When would you actually use 115kW in day to day traffic?

It needs more upmarket features like dual-zone climate control (even as an option), the Swing radio is horrible and just in general (particularly with the interior) it really needs more flair.

Climate control? Oh hell no. I would pay more for simple and easy traditional HVAC controls.

What is horrible about the Swing? In a sea of ridiculously complex and unnecessary audio systems in a new cars, it's a bastion of simplicity and clarity.

[dArK5HaD0w]

those who have been - wat were crowds like at the skoda section?

[BottomScratcher]

EDIT2: The whip aerial is gone!!

Not so sure mate.

I can't tell for sure from the pic, but it looks to me like the whip has been unscrewed. I think the thread is still there behind the fin. Check out the line of the fin silhouetted against the inside of the left hand side roof rail.

It's a different camera angle, but the fin of the Rapid looks different.

[Perun]

I thought the Rapid was nicely finished and it brought it in line with Opel, Mazda, Honda, etc. in terms of interior quality. Yes, it's a drop from previous Skodas (Octavia and Superb being prime examples) but if the interior quality was as high as VW, why would people buy VWs then?

Loved the Superb interior though - pity about the exterior. :/

[Jake02]

I thought the hard plastic/soft plastic thing was just so journalists could fill an article. People actually judge a car based on this? People get excited about texture of plastics? I'm surprised.

I certainly do, but that's perhaps I really enjoy, respect and admire a really well engineered car and appreciate the details. I also would like a car not to be filled with scratchy, crappy black plastic.

I dare say the Rapid would feel more spritely on the road, with a more favourable kg/torque figure (6.95 Kg/Nm as opposed to 6.51kg/Nm). It's not too hard to figure out. When would you actually use 115kW in day to day traffic?

I hope you're correct in saying that but I cannot work out why they didn't give it more power. Hopefully the future holds a more powerful version.

Climate control? Oh hell no. I would pay more for simple and easy traditional HVAC controls.

What is horrible about the Swing? In a sea of ridiculously complex and unnecessary audio systems in a new cars, it's a bastion of simplicity and clarity.

That's great that you like the more simple things in life but I am different; the base climate controls of the Rapid that make it look like a Chery interior. The base Octavia and Yeti have lovely circular buttons with chrome surrounds on their non-climate controlled air-conditioning and it looks great! Coming from the equally horrible Audience radio, I don't like the Swing because I couldn't see it very well and some other cars of that it competes with have more aesthetically pleasing, larger and simpler systems. Is a bigger screen (and better use of the available space) that much harder to include? I'm not trying to cause an argument. I didn't like the Rapid for the reasons I've given; everyone is different and their automotive tastes and preferences are even more different.

Darkshadow, I was there on the first night so apparently it was quiet but the Skoda stand had many people on it. The Superb, Roomster (!) and Yeti had lots of interest. I also chuckled at an article on Carsguide that Suzuki was annoyed at Skoda for that wall they have on their stand that completely blocks Suzuki's stand.

[pologti18t]

I hope you're correct in saying that but I cannot work out why they didn't give it more power. Hopefully the future holds a more powerful version.

It's "based" on the current Polo chassis. They have got the most powerful engines fitted
Unfortunately Skoda has the fight Japanese/Korean cars here fitted with 1.8L and 2L engines. In Europe the Mazda 3 has a 1.6L. Toyota Corolla has a 1.3L and 1.6L.

[Jake02]

It's "based" on the current Polo chassis. They have got the most powerful engines fitted

Well the 103kW 1.4TSI is now available in the Polo so fingers crossed it makes its way to the Rapid. And the SEAT Ibiza has way more powerful engines than that - I'm sure you can (or at least could) get the 103kW 2.0TDI in the Ibiza FR TDI. Same platform.

[Mysticality]

You have to get those wheels!

I've been looking at quotes to get my Neptunes repainted - best one I have so far is $400 for the lot.
A mate of mine bought some MPS rims for his Mazda3 SP25 off eBay and had the gutter rash removed, and had them repainted by this one shop - I can't recall the name or location atm, I have the link somewhere though.
Finish is pretty good. As far as I can tell, worth $400 for 4 rims - thats for sure!! XD
I'm also considering PlastiDip, but I'll make a decision on that after the November meetup, if The Speedfighter joins us.

Not so sure mate.

I can't tell for sure from the pic, but it looks to me like the whip has been unscrewed. I think the thread is still there behind the fin. Check out the line of the fin silhouetted against the inside of the left hand side roof rail.

It's a different camera angle, but the fin of the Rapid looks different.

Upon closer inspection, they've unscrewed the normal boring antenna.
Oh well!! XD

Well the 103kW 1.4TSI is now available in the Polo so fingers crossed it makes its way to the Rapid. And the SEAT Ibiza has way more powerful engines than that - I'm sure you can (or at least could) get the 103kW 2.0TDI in the Ibiza FR TDI. Same platform.

If you can get the 103TDI in, you can get the 125TDI in. Its the same engine, with like... One part upgraded to handle more power. [Perhaps Transporter can confirm? ]

I'm pretty sure there would be a huge difference in size of engine block and auxiliary equipment (radiators, reservoirs, etc) between the 103kW 1.4TSI and the 103kW 2.0TDI. The 103TSI is a twincharge, isn't it?

Either way - a 2ltr I4 petrol should compete fine with a 1.4 or 1.6ltr turbo... And then it can play on the "Economy is better when you have a turbo!" line. (Which we all know is true. )

The problem that needs to be solved for VWaG's petrol engines in Australia is needing bloody RON95!!... If the Asian competitors can all run on the RON91 E10 then Skoda is losing and is going to lose a lot of sales to them.

I'd love my mum's next car to be a Fabia... or a Rapid even, but as it stands at the moment, she's paying roughly 155.9c/ltr for RON91 E10 and doing in excess of 1,000km/wk. The only option viable for her within the VWaG would be a diesel (159.9c/ltr local) because paying for RON95 (165.9c/ltr) whilst getting roughly the same economy would just be insane. :S
That being said, I'd love to never have any spark plugs on the property ever again. Yes, I know - I'm biased.

... Now to work on a diesel lawn mower...

[Antiplastix]

Wheel Painting......

Trivett Tyreright - Alloy Wheel Repairs

[candy_wagon]

I've been looking at quotes to get my Neptunes repainted - best one I have so far is $400 for the lot.

How about you look at getting them powder coated. If you look on other car forums you will often find guys getting 4 wheels coats for around or under $200. I am looking at doing exactly that with my Neptunes. Correct me if I'm wring, but powder coating may also prove to be a stronger coating than paint.

[zei20t]

are the black neptunes glossy? im tempted to make mine matt black. hides the brake dust as well as giving an aggressive appearance. then coupled with matt black grill, front lip, rear valance and wing top; should look good!

after I install some low......

[BottomScratcher]

Mysticality,
For wheel repairs, painting, or powder coating in Sydney I can't recommend Magman at Punchbowl highly enough. Top quality work at fair prices. If you look here you'll find a more detailed recommendation I gave on another thread. Greg at Magman is right up there with Albert, my glass/tint guy.

[dArK5HaD0w]

i desperately want to powdercoat mine gunmetal/anthracite/graphite, but i can't afford to have the wheels off (the car) for 2-3 days, and hence no car while its being done.

[zei20t]

if you have a full size spare, get them done one at a time

[Tigger]

i desperately want to powdercoat mine gunmetal/anthracite/graphite, but i can't afford to have the wheels off (the car) for 2-3 days, and hence no car while its being done.

Hey mate, dont know if it would work, but you would be welcome to borrow a set of old 16" tiguan wheels and tyres I have in the garage for a week while yours get done. They are technically running tyres too large for a skoda...but maybe it would be ok for a short time??