Skoda used the model name Slavia in the distant past, but it looks like it could soon return to the market. Rumor has it the carmaker is preparing a family wagon for India under that name, which will slot in just above the Rapid. Here are what appears to be its first spy shots made in the Alps.
Judging by the crossover SUV Kushaq that Skoda launched exclusively for India earlier this year (see video), the new car could be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform. It looks larger than the Rapid, and there is a lingering suspicion that it could be related to the Volkswagen Virtus or the Polo sedan available in Latin America, despite being liftback-shaped.
It remains to be seen whether the alleged Slavia will come to replace the Rapid on permanent terms, but it could very well be possible. An official representative of Skoda India said recently that the Rapid would not be updated anymore.
If we had to guess, we would say that the Slavia draws its power from a 1.0-liter or a 1.5-liter gasoline engine rated somewhere between 115 and 150 metric horsepower. At any rate, this is what the Kushaq currently comes with.
The launch event will likely take place later this year.