'As part of its growth strategy, SKODA has initiated the largest model offensive in its corporate history and will bring a new vehicle to market every six months on average in the years ahead,' said Winfried Vahland, Skoda chief executive officer at the brand’s press conference in Beijing. 'The Rapid is our next new model. It has a central importance for our growth and will provide us with a strong tailwind on international markets,' he added.

With the Rapid, SKODA offers an attractive and family-oriented model in a global growing segment between the Fabia and the Octavia. The MissionL design study provides a preview of the car’s design and concept.

SKODA showed the MissionL’s European variant at IAA 2011 in Frankfurt and is displaying a version modified for Chinese market in Beijing. For the interior design of the Chinese model, SKODA conducted extensive research in China and asked customers about their individual wishes in order to build a car that suited the customers’ needs. MissionL China and the future compact sedan are considered an ideal combination of SKODA genes and Chinese demand.

'MissionL China is true SKODA. It perfectly embodies the brand’s values: fresh design, functionality, roominess, ingenuity, and price-to-value ratio typical for our cars. There is lots of room for the driver, passengers and luggage. An ideal car for families. Simply clever,' he concluded.

The Rapid will be available either as a 1.6 petrol or TDI Diesel engine, both capable of achieving 105 bhp @ 5250 rpm, however engine torque on the diesel equivalent (250 Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm) is significantly higher than that of the petrol version (153 Nm @ 3800 rpm).

The European version of SKODA’s Rapid will reach UK showrooms from late 2012.