New Skoda Rapid
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Highlights
Pros
Cons
- Built on the Volkswagen Vento platform.
- Rear parking sensors and rear bumpers.
- Manual driver seat adjustment facilities.
- More fuel efficient than the Vento.
- Manual central locking.
- Anti Lock Braking system.
- Not much different from the Volkswagen Vento.
Overview
Skoda Rapid, a sedan from the house of Czech company Skoda Auto, has been launched in India on 16th November 2011 in the 'C' segment.
Skoda Auto registered sales of 6,84,226 cars in 2009 and 85,000 units in the month of March 2011. Though the sedans built by Skoda suffered poor reputation for the build quality and handling, the car buckled the trend, coming to be described as "the poor man's Porsche" and later on as one that "handles like a Porsche" by the Auto Car and Motor Magazine. Skoda has currently come a long way, gaining steadily in popularity, as a classy car, with the Garde and convertible models enjoying high popularity.
Though the Rapid is styled on the same platform as the Volkswagen Vento, the good looking car has been carefully styled according to varying tastes of customers.
In India, Skoda Rapid will be available in five petrol variants and three diesel variants. The Active, Ambition and Elegance variants will be available in both petrol and diesel versions while the Skoda Ambition Automatic and Elegance Automatic variants will be available only in the petrol version. Skoda Rapid will allow a choice of five colour shades, Deep Black, Candy White, Flash Red, Brilliant Silver and Cappuccino Beige.
In India, Skoda plans to manufacture the Rapid at the plant of Volkswagen at Chakan, near Pune.
Powertrain & Performance
Skoda Rapid offers a choice of petrol and diesel engines, both of which are the same as that used in the Volkswagen Vento. Though both the versions contribute to the same power and capacity, the torque differentials between the two versions are massive. Both the versions have 4-cylinders and 16 valves and a capacity of 1,598cc, contributing maximum bhp of 105. Maximum torque of 153 Nm @ 3800 rpm is produced in the petrol version while the diesel engine has a maximum torque of 250 Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm.
Both the petrol and diesel versions of the Rapid are found to be more fuel efficient than the Vento, as the Skoda engines are fine tuned better. The lower weight of the Rapid also helps in achieving the desired fuel efficiency. The Ambition and Elegance variants of the Rapid Petrol have an option for an automatic gearbox.
Similar to the Vento, Rapid offers a choice of 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions. The auto box will be featured only in the top petrol variant.
Build & Styling
Rapid is described as the Volkswagen Vento, re-introduced with a Skoda label. Skoda Rapid shares most of the body parts, including its doors and windows, with the Vento. About 90 percent of the interiors of the car also appear to be the same. Even the grilles featured in the front portion appear to be the same in both the models.
Mr Thomas Kuehl, Member of the board and Director, Sales and Marketing of SKODA Auto India has opined that "the distinctly fresh, young, smart and clear-cut design makes rapid a well-balanced car and therefore successfully fills the gap between SKODA Fabia and the current Laura". Mr Kuehl also expects the launch of the Rapid in India to be a milestone for SKODA Auto in India in the highly competitive C segment. Mr Kuehl has further commented that "The Rapid is positioned as a family car, compact enough for the city and spacious enough for longer trips. Our plans for the Rapid in India are fairly ambitious, given that we expect it to become the bestselling car in our model line-up in India, in the near future. We aim to penetrate in the competitive C segment and have an advantage over our competitors with our high quality design and unique features for the Indian market."
The base Active and Ambition variants of the car are equipped with a manually regulated air conditioner while the top end variants have electronically regulated climate control feature. The Rapid will have factory fitted 2-DIN audio player on the top of the line Elegance variant with AUX input and also with SD/MMC car reader connectivity options.
Rapid features manual central locking, door mirrors and driver seat adjustment facilities. Buyers will have the option to decide on their desired music systems along with an option for leather seats. The car uses dual tone upholstery, a brightly illuminated information cluster, driver assist, centralized console, adjustable seats, headrests, armrests, tilt steering, spacious legroom and headroom.
The Good looking Rapid has a bonnet that is designed in a pouted design with huge fog lamps. The rear portion of the Rapid comprises new tail lamps with C shaped glow on brake lamps. The car also features rear parking sensors and rear bumpers. The strong and sturdy exteriors are blended with the most luxurious and comfortable interiors which look elegant and plush. Other features of the car include a large glove box, a powerful music system, an instrument cluster with a 4-spoke steering wheel and telescopic adjustments.
Rapid is equipped with Mcpherson, compound link crank axle suspension. The car drives effortlessly with light steering with a slightly hard edge when going over larger bumps. The handling comfort though, will more than compensate for the slight stiffness.
The high end Skoda Rapid models are equipped with dual SRS airbags, front and rear fog lamps and an Anti Lock Braking system while all the models are equipped with seat belts. The car also features rear parking sensors to assist in precise parking
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