The New Skoda Rapid Launched!

Every time on New Year’s eve,The Automobile markets heat up with new Launches and cut throat prices.There’s a festive mood in the air and its one of those times of the year where you care more about buying and less about saving.

This Year’s not different either,with many Automobile majors arranging a line up of new models to be launched in the market.One such example is the Launch of the Skoda Rapid!The car was actually Launched in the month of November,but,it gained more publicity a few weeks after.Skoda was yet to complete its infrastructure set up for mass production of this car.

The Launch of the “Rapid”is one of the part of Skoda’s aggressive market penetrations strategy in India.The Rapid is priced perfectly within the premium and entry level Sedans.

During the Launch of the Skoda Rapid, Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board & Director, Sales & Marketing, ŠKODA Auto India said “ŠKODA Auto India marks a crucial milestone in India with the launch of Rapid. We intend to strengthen our presence in the highly competitive C segment in the country with this launch. We are confident that this car will become the cornerstone for the ŠKODA brand in India. It’s distinctly fresh, young, smart and clear-cut design makes Rapid a well-balanced car and therefore successfully fills the gap between ŠKODA Fabia and the current Laura.”

The Rapid is being offered with two-engine options – a 1.6-litre petrol and a diesel with the same capacity, generating identical horsepower at 105bhp, although the diesel makes a great deal more of torque (250Nm to the petrol’s 153Nm) but torque differentials are massive between the two models, with the TDI putting down 250Nm between 1500-2500rpm and the petrol making 153Nm @ 3800rpm. Similar to the Vento ,you do have the option of buying the petrol powered Rapid with a 6-speed auto instead of the 5-speed manual ‘boxes that are available on both.

it comes fitted with a 2-DIN audio player on the top of the line Elegance variant with AUX input as well as an SD/MMC card reader connectivity.The High-end Variant of the Rapid will get you electronically regulated climate control .In the Basic versions,you’ll have to adjust the temperatures yourself.

If you are wondering how much can the price difference be among the variants here a list;(approx. Prices are Ex-showroom,Delhi)

Active 1.6 MPI MT : Rs 6.60 Lakhs
Ambition 1.6 MPI MT : Rs 7.10 Lakhs
Elegance: 1.6 MPI MT : Rs 7.99 Lakhs
Ambition 1.6 MPI AT : Rs 8.010 Lakhs
Elegance 1.6 MPI AT : Rs 9.00 Lakhs
Active 1.6 TDI CR : Rs 7.95 Lakhs
Ambition 1.6 TDI CR : Rs 8.30 Lakhs
Elegance 1.6 TDI CR : Rs 9.20 Lakhs

For all our readers who prefer technical data,here’s a list you might be interested in;

So here’s what we think;

It’s a good car,provided you choose the Diesel variant,comfortable Automatic transmission with modes to suit your style of driving.As the Name Skoda,lives up to its expectations of a comfy ride and quality handling.built quality is good.Does have some advantages when compared with Volkswagen’s Vento.

However,you don’t get auto-transmission in the Diesel variant.Lets be frank,For that price in the Indian market,we”d expect more Technical features and electronics on the dash board like steering mounted controls, USB stereo, parking sensors etc.Skoda after sales service is a bit on the down side.

To end with,the Skoda Rapid is certainly a good car for the European Market with upgraded features.It does compete with the Vento.But it is a Doubltful whether it can cheer the Sedan Buying  masses in India.It certainly stands no chance in terms of technical features provided my Auto majors like Suzuki,TATA, at lesser prices.Nonetheless,It is a good  Choice when considering premium Sedans in India.