New Skoda Rapid | Upcoming Car | Car Review | Automotive

Skoda Auto India is all set to launch its latest invent “Skoda Rapid” soon. This latest entry in the fleet of Skoda India is most likely to be based on one of its sibling Volkswagen’s offering. If speculations are to be believed, Skoda Rapid is going to incorporate same engine specifications as added in VW Vento i.e. 1.6L petrol/diesel added with dual transmission modes (Auto/Manual).

The Skoda Rapid price might come close to Maruti SX4 and much below Skoda Laura, there is going to be hard competition within the sedan segment cars. After the launch of Skoda Yeti - the SUV segment car, “Skoda Rapid” is next in-line. And as per rumors, Skoda India is going to install some high-end tech specs in Skoda Rapid making it a milestone in sedan car segment. So sit tight for a whole new riding experience with “Skoda Rapid”.


Skoda Auto started its operations in India as Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd in November 2001. In India, the company is currently selling following car models - Skoda Laura, Skoda Fabia (manufactured in India) and Skoda Superb, Skoda Yeti (Imported) with Skoda Octavia model discontinued in 2010.

With Skoda Auto India having presence in most of the car segments, the company is going to make one more addition in Sedan car segment by launching the all new smoking hot “Skoda Rapid”. With company keeping tight lips regarding the Skoda Rapid specs and equipments, one thing is quite sure that it is going to offer good competition to other cars present in this segment.

As per reports, Skoda Rapid will come with low price tag and this will act as the main USP of this car. We all know that Skoda Auto India never compromises on comfort, technology and looks, so this time also it is believed that they will deliver a mind-suiting eye candy.

The Czech carmaker seems to be on the track to further revolutionize India with Skoda Rapid. This car has been designed similar to its sibling Volkswagen’s sedan offering Vento. It will be an executive class sedan and will be a direct rival of Honda City. Rapid will be built at the company’s Chakan facility in Pune.

An engine similar to Volkswagen Vento is supposed to power Rapid as well. It will be a 1.6L diesel and 1598cc petrol engine of Vento that will be there in various trims of Rapid. The transmission system is likely to have an automatic version whereas the manual will have five-speed gears.

Indian car market that has since been dominated by premium sedan Honda City is expected to undergo a radical change with the Rapid. Being positioned in the premium car category, Skoda is expected to pitch in an aggressive strategy in order to capture the market.

With the superior branding and a sales backup of Skoda Fabia and Laura, the Czech carmaker will experience less effort in popularizing its new sedan Skoda Rapid. Besides, it will be an advantage for Rapid as it is expected to be offered in diesel when Honda City is available only in petrol.

Rapid’s engine displacement of 1598cc and a maximum power of 105 PS and a maximum torque 153Nm is going to add to the popularity as it will be more powerful than Honda City which has a only 1497cc engine under its hood.

As it is based on a new concept, Skoda Rapid is sure to have prominent exteriors and plush interiors. The front is expected to be different from any of the Volkswagen or Skoda’s line up as it is hoped to be based on the new concept that could be MissonL.

Initial pictures of Rapid reveal that it will have a prominent front grille with a little chrome lining and uniquely designed sporty headlamps. The new Skoda Green colored logo sits tight at the centre on the top of the grille. The front face is further enhanced with body colored bumper that has a wide air dam and two fog lamps on each side. Moving on to the sides; Skoda Rapid has much bolder and masculine side fenders that complements the sides with the help of all-alloy wheels.

The Outside Rear View Mirrors will be body colored and will have side indicators on it. The rear view pictures of the Skoda Rapid are unavailable however, it is expected that it will have high mounted brake light besides two LED based rear lamps.

The interior of Rapid will be in all likelihood plush and sporty in order to compete with its rivals in India. The dash will have all advanced equipments including meters, glove box, music system and air conditioning. The air conditioning is expected to have automatic climate control feature. The steering is expected to be clad in leather with audio and cruise control buttons on it. In all, Skoda Rapid will be able to seat four persons comfortably with an overall seating capacity for five persons.

The rear seats will have a handrest with cup holder in the middle. The height adjustable front driver seat and the passenger seat are expected to have lumbar support and we could even find leather upholstery on the high-end models.

On the safety front, Skoda Rapid is expected to have two airbags for the driver and the front passenger besides Anti-lock Braking System, front fog lamps, Electronic BrakeForce Distribution and Electronic Stability Program are also expected to find a place in Rapid.

Among the comfort features, Rapid is expected to have adjustable power steering, internally adjustable ORVMs with power fold feature, central locking, power windows, adjustable front seats, music system with MP3 and FM integrated with four speakers apart from automatic climate control.

Mileage, Average And Fuel Economy

Skoda Rapid will be there in Petrol and Diesel engine options. Though there is no official confirmation regarding mileage and fuel economy but based on engine configuration it is expected that Rapid petrol car will be able to deliver 12 kmpl in the city and 16 kmpl on the highways.

Whereas the diesel powered Skoda Rapid is expected to return a mileage of 16 kmpl in the city and 20.5 kmpl in the long run.

Power

Engine similar to Volkswagen Vento will power the new Skoda car – Rapid and thus there will be a 1.6L diesel and a petrol engine with similar displacement under the bonnet of Skoda Rapid. The diesel motor will be able to churn 105PS of power at 4400rpm and a maximum torque of 250Nm at 1500-2500rpm.

On the other hand, the petrol car will have a maximum power of 105PS and a maximum torque of 153Nm at 3800rpm. The engine power of Skoda Rapid will be transferred to the wheels with the help of a five speed manual gearbox. A five speed automatic transmission option could also be there on the high-end models.

Acceleration & Pick-Up

The Rapid will get superior acceleration and faster pick up due to the powerful and a high torque engine. The manual gearbox also adds to the smoother acceleration of the car. The diesel powered Skoda Rapid acceleration will be a little less than the petrol one but it will be smoother in the city due to its high torque at low rpms.

The petrol and diesel Rapid cars are expected to have a top speed of around 185 kmph. Since the car is soon to be launched there is no official confirmation regarding the acceleration and pick up, once the figures are there, we will update the same.

Exteriors

As per official sources, Skoda Rapid has been designed keeping in view the needs of the people of India. Despite the fact that Skoda Rapid is expected to share the same heart with Volkswagen Vento, it is in no way similar to it in its shape or size. The new saloon in Skoda’s stable has a unique font view. The smiling face grille with vertical grills and a Skoda logo at the centre dominates the front.

The two aerodynamically designed halogen powered headlamps are swept-back in shape. There is also a prominent air dam on the lower half of the front bumper. Overall, it has classy and elegant exteriors. In order to distinguish it from its hatchback junior, Skoda Rapid has been designed afresh however, people may find some similarity with its hatchback junior Fabia as well.

Exterior Measurements

As it is based on the Indian needs, Skoda Rapid is compact in size so that it can easily maneuver through even the busiest streets in India. As per initial information, it will be more than four meters in length and is expected to have a ground clearance of 168mm and will have a turning radius of more than five meters.

Interiors

Skoda Rapid interiors are said to have been designed keeping in view the needs of the Indian customers. Though at Rs 7 lakh starting price we can’t expect Skoda to put in lush and plush interiors akin to its senior premium sedan offerings but it will be highly comfortable for sure. Safety and comfort besides feature rich interiors will be a plus for Skoda Rapid.

In order to make it conditioned to Indian roads, Skoda will definitely put in some stunning comfort features inside Rapid. It will have a seating capacity for five people with seats having lumbar support. The interior will be marked by driver-focused dashboard and highly informative and attractive instrument cluster.

Interior Comfort

Skoda Rapid will take care of the interior comfort part well as it is said to have been designed as per the expectations of the Indians. In all, it will be much spacious with comfortable seating for five people and a handrest in the middle of the rear bench type seats.

There will be power steering and power windows as part of the standard equipment. Besides, there will also be adjustable driver seat with lumbar support. An adjustable steering is also expected on the high end models of Rapid.

Interior Measurements

Despite its compact size, Skoda Rapid will have enough space for seating five people inside. Being a sedan car, it will have enough headroom, legroom and shoulder room at the front and even for the rear passengers.

Engine Capacity & Performance

In order to meet up to the expectations of Indian audience, Skoda is supposed to power Rapid well. The petrol powered Skoda Rapid will have a 1.6L DOHC in-line engine in place that produces 105PS of peak power. The diesel engine despite being similarly powered produces more torque 250Nm at 1500-2500rpm thus enabling the Rapid to have easy maneuverability in even snail-paced city traffic as well.

The engine that is expected to be of Vento will surely perform well in the city and on long runs as well. The engine in Rapid will have a five speed manual transmission attached to it with advanced gear shift ratios making it swifter in the city and quicker on the highways.

Wheels

Skoda Rapid is expected to have all alloy wheels. It is expected that it will have 14 inch and 15 inch all-alloy, four-spoke/five-spoke alloy wheel options. The ground clearance is expected to be 168mm while the turning radius will be more than five meters.

Braking & Handling

Skoda will be putting in a robust braking system in Rapid. The new saloon is expected to come powered with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) along with Electronic BrakeForce Distribution system. The brakes will be front disc and rear drum type. Also, there will be McPherson Strut at the front and Semi-Independent trailing arm type suspension at the rear in order to give ultimate comfort ride.

Handling & Safety

Handling Skoda Rapid will be far easier than any car of its size due to its efficient suspension system and electronic power steering. It will also be easy to maneuver in the streets due to its short turning radius. Furthermore, Skoda Rapid is also anticipated to have advanced braking system equipped with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist.

These systems will help in boosting the braking system and making Skoda Rapid more stable and safe. Besides, there will be power steering for easy steering through congested streets. In addition to it Skoda Rapid is also expected to have two airbags at the front - one airbag for the driver and one for the front passenger. It is also expected that there will be side airbags for the driver and the front passengers in the high-end models of Rapid.

Three-stage seat belt with pre-tensioners will be there for front and rear passengers. The adjustable front and fixed type rear headrest will offer protection against any head or neck injury. Enhanced fog lamps at the front will be add on to safety. Apart from that there will be anti-theft system, central locking and probably engine immobilizer in Rapid.

Stereo & Accessories

A lot of accessories are expected on Skoda Rapid including advanced integrated audio system with FM/AM radio, climate control, dust and pollen filters, besides others.