Skoda Auto India
has launched the new Rapid in India with prices starting at Rs. 7.2 lakh (ex-showroom
Delhi) with two engines on offer, a 1.5L Diesel and a 1.6L petrol, both available
in manual or automatic transmissions.
The Rapid’s 4
cylinder 1.6 MPI petrol and the 4 cylinder 1.5L TDI diesel, which can be found
on the recently updated Volkswagen Vento and Polo, both produce the same amount
of power of 103bhp with 153Nm and 250Nm of torque for petrol and diesel
respectively. The transmissions on offer are Volkswagen group’s 7-speed DSG Dual-Clutch
Automatic for the diesel, 6 speed tiptronic automatic for the petrol and both
engines are also available with a 5-speed manual as well. The astonishing thing
about the 1.5L TDI engine is its 21.66 kmpl of fuel economy with the DSG
automatic gearbox. The 5 speed manual petrol variant gives a fuel economy of
15kmpl.
The new rapid
is available in four variants Active, Ambition, Ambition Plus, and Elegance and
available in 6 different colours--- Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Cappuccino
Beige, Deep Black Pearl, Flash Red and also in Toffee Brown which will be
available from October 2014 from the festive season. Interior trim will remain
in a two tone Ivory-Fabric cross the range as standard. But leather options are
also available.
Some of the
new features on the Rapid are 15 inch alloy wheels, halogen headlamps with
manual leveling, chrome details and engine immobiliser as standard across the
range. Cruise Control and rear parking sensors are standard in the Ambition
Plus and Elegance variants. What is also interesting is that Skoda has
developed a smartphone app, downloadable on iOS and Android devices, which can
control the infotainment system in the car without the need of a remote.
The new Rapid
is also available in what Skoda call the Black Package at a base price of Rs.
8,85,117/- in which you get blackened bits on the car; black front fog lamps, head
lamps, black alloy 15inch rims, black outer door mirrors and black front grille
logo lip as options. Also available as options are a blackened roof and black
door vinyl for the Black package.
The pricing
(ex showroom Delhi) details for the new Skoda Rapid are:
Active Petrol-(MT)
Rs. 7,22,230/-
Active
Diesel-(MT) Rs. 8,38,772/-
Ambition+
Petrol-(MT) Rs. 8,17,181/-
Ambition+
Petrol-(AT) Rs. 9,14,940/-
Ambition+
Diesel-(MT) Rs. 9,24,813/-
Ambition+
Diesel-(AT) Rs. 10,84,324/-
Elegance
Petrol-(MT) Rs. 8,72,017/-
Elegance Petrol-(AT)
Rs. 9,68,583/-
Elegance
Diesel-(MT) Rs. 9,74,324/-
Elegance
Diesel-(AT) Rs. 10,84,324/-
Elegance
Black Package Petrol-(MT) Rs. 8,85,117/-
Elegance
Black Package Petrol-(AT) Rs. 9,81,683/-
Elegance
Black Package Diesel-(MT) Rs. 9,87,424/-
Elegance
Black Package Diesel-(AT) Rs. 10,97,424/-
At the launch
Sudhir Rao, Chairman and Managing Director Skoda Auto India said his company has
very ambitious long term plans for the Indian market. “The Rapid along with our
renewed focus on ownership experience will form the cornerstone of our future
strategy,” he said.
The new Rapid
comes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBC (Engine Braking Control), dual
rate brake assist, height adjustable head restraints at front and rear, driver
and front passenger airbags. To make it even more safe, the fuel supply cuts
off in the event of an accident. Visibility is further enhanced with its
projector head lamps (manual levelling). The Rapid comes with an electronic
theft deterrence module that includes engine immobiliser with floating code
system and security code for audio player. Along with comfort opening and
closing of all windows, the unique anti-pinch system ensures your family is
well protected, a Skoda release said.
Picture: Sudhir Rao, Chairman and Managing Director Skoda
Auto India at the launch of the new Skoda Rapid in New Delhi