After unveiling the car to the public last month and teasing us all with a whole lot of pictures and videos ever since, Skoda India finally launched the Rapid sedan today. Priced between INR 6.75 Lacs for the base petrol variant and INR 9.19 Lacs for the top-end diesel variant, the Rapid enters a highly competitive segment that includes Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti-Suzuki SX4, Ford Fiesta, Fiat Linea and its elder sibling, the Volkswagen Vento. The recently launched Hyundai Verna is the current leader in this segment followed closely by the City and Vento.
The Rapid is powered by a 1.6 liter petrol and diesel engine producing an identical maximum power output of 105 bhp at 5250 and 4400 rpm respectively. While the petrol engine generates a maximum torque of 153 Nm at 3800 rpm, the diesel engine generates 250 Nm at a much lesser 2500 rpm. Both these engines are already available in the Vento and are known for their reliable performance and frugality. It was these features that made the Vento diesel a highly sought-after model in the market resulting in waiting lists extending to a few months.
There are three variants available in both petrol and diesel – Active, Ambition and Elegance. The Ambition and Elegance trims are also available with a 6-speed automatic transmission in the petrol variants. Skoda has been smart enough to offer safety features like ABS and Airbags in the mid Ambition variant itself. Though the Elegance variant comes loaded with alloy wheels, automatic climate control and Multi Information Display, features such as Bluetooth connectivity and steering-mounted audio controls are conspicuous by their absence.
Though Skoda would want us to think otherwise, the Rapid is nothing but a re-badged Vento with a ‘Fabia’ front-end and a redesigned boot. Additionally, the Volkswagen logo and badges have been replaced with Skoda’s. Except the steering wheel, the interiors are a total lift-off from the Vento too. So, Volkswagen Group is essentially offering a second car in this segment and if the Rapid succeeds without cannibalizing sales of the Vento, the group would end up doubling their market share in this segment. More significantly, India would be the production hub for the Rapid and we are the first in the world to get this new model from Skoda.
The Rapid is powered by a 1.6 liter petrol and diesel engine producing an identical maximum power output of 105 bhp at 5250 and 4400 rpm respectively. While the petrol engine generates a maximum torque of 153 Nm at 3800 rpm, the diesel engine generates 250 Nm at a much lesser 2500 rpm. Both these engines are already available in the Vento and are known for their reliable performance and frugality. It was these features that made the Vento diesel a highly sought-after model in the market resulting in waiting lists extending to a few months.
There are three variants available in both petrol and diesel – Active, Ambition and Elegance. The Ambition and Elegance trims are also available with a 6-speed automatic transmission in the petrol variants. Skoda has been smart enough to offer safety features like ABS and Airbags in the mid Ambition variant itself. Though the Elegance variant comes loaded with alloy wheels, automatic climate control and Multi Information Display, features such as Bluetooth connectivity and steering-mounted audio controls are conspicuous by their absence.Though Skoda would want us to think otherwise, the Rapid is nothing but a re-badged Vento with a ‘Fabia’ front-end and a redesigned boot. Additionally, the Volkswagen logo and badges have been replaced with Skoda’s. Except the steering wheel, the interiors are a total lift-off from the Vento too. So, Volkswagen Group is essentially offering a second car in this segment and if the Rapid succeeds without cannibalizing sales of the Vento, the group would end up doubling their market share in this segment. More significantly, India would be the production hub for the Rapid and we are the first in the world to get this new model from Skoda.
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