New Skoda Rapid launched at Rs 8.34 lac
Company’s volume-driver gets the family face, 5 extra bhp and added features
Skoda has announced the new Rapid sedan with a host of new features and the rakish family face, now shared with the Octavia and the Superb. While the sheet metal remains largely unchanged, significant changes are visible up front and within.
To begin with, the new Rapid comes with “Quartz-cut” projector lens headlights with chrome “eye lashes”. LED DRLs are also present. The new grille is dark with chrome surrounds, with a hexagonal lower grille finished off by a pronounced lip at the front of the air dam. The result is a fairly aggressive stance when seen from the front. Sadly, the rear is much of the same old Rapid, and we’d have liked more tweaks to that end.
Inside, there’s a new ebony-sand dual-tone interior with leatherette seats and door trim. There’s ambient lighting in the footwells and more chrome trim bits. There’s a new ‘Drive’ system with a 6.5" infotainment touchscreen. It includes ‘MirrorLink” tech to pair with your smartphone, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Other features include climate control, a cooled glove box and rain-sensing wipers.
Skoda’s toeing the company line by providing ABS and airbags as standard across all variants. There’s also electronic stability control and Hill-hold control, something we haven't seen in this segment thus far.
The new Rapid will come with an uprated 1.5 TDI four-cylinder diesel, now generating 110PS and 250Nm of torque. The diesel will be available in a 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic. The venerable 1.6 MPI four-cylinder petrol remains in the old guise, generating 105PS and 153Nm. This too will be available in a manual or traditional torque-converter automatic.
Prices (ex-showroom Maharashtra)
New Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI MT
- Active Rs 8,34,906
- Ambition Rs 9,26,728
- Style Rs 10,44,163
New Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI AT
- Ambition Rs 10,38,841
- Style Rs 11,46,187
New Skoda Rapid 1.5 TDI MT
- Active Rs 9,57,335
- Ambition Rs 10,49,157
- Style Rs 11,66,590
New Skoda Rapid 1.5 TDI AT
- Ambition Rs 11,71,471
- Style Rs 12,78,590
