Škoda Rapid (India)

The Škoda Rapid is a subcompact sedan produced by Škoda India, the subsidiary of the Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto, exclusively for the Indian market, introduced in November 2011. It features a similar front end design with the second generation of the Škoda Fabia,[1] but is not directly related to it, the Rapid being based on the newer PQ25 platform of the Volkswagen Group.[2]

Škoda Rapid
Overview
Manufacturer	Škoda India
Production	2011–present
Assembly	India: Pune (Škoda Auto Volkswagen India)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact car (B)
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Volkswagen Group A05 (PQ25) platform
Related	Škoda Fabia Mk2 Volkswagen Vento (2010) Volkswagen Polo Mk5
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L I4 MPI (petrol) 1.5 L I4 TDI CR (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 7-speed DSG 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,552 mm (100.5 in)
Length	4,413 mm (173.7 in)
Width	1,699 mm (66.9 in)
Height	1,466 mm (57.7 in)

The "Rapid" name was previously used in the 1930s for the Rapid (Type 901) and in the 1980s for the rear-engine Rapid coupé. Today, the Rapid is used for several small family cars: larger sedan and hatchback from Europe, smaller sedan from India and China.

Overview

In October 2011, Škoda resurrected the Rapid nameplate for its similar version of the Volkswagen Vento made in India, with sales starting in November.[3] The cars are similar, except for the grille, headlights, bumpers, taillights and some interior and exterior trim. The car is produced by Škoda Auto India Private Limited in Pune.

On the inside, the cabin is similar to its Volkswagen counterpart, apart from the Škoda family steering wheel, instrument panel, gear-lever and audio system. The central console has vents, buttons and climate control adapted from VW; the audio system, with its large buttons and fonts, is designed by Škoda. The Rapid includes features such as an information centre, driver assist, audio system with audio input for portable media players and SD/MMC data card reader, adjustable seats, headrests, armrests, tilt steering.[4]

The 2017 Skoda Rapid facelift comes with revised styling that makes it look sharper. New exterior changes include new front grille, headlamps, chrome door handles, smoked out tail lamps, etc. Some of the new features include cruise control, rain sensing wipers, reach and rake adjustable steering, cooled glovebox and footwell lighting. According to MotorBeam 0–100 km/hr sprint for the diesel DSG is claimed to be 10.7 seconds with 190.8 km/hr top speed and with manual 10.3 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/hr.[5]

Selected acknowledgements

• 2011: In December 2011, it was voted Family Car of the Year by the Indian edition Top Gear magazine.[6]may be

Related models

The European model of the ŠKODA Rapid is based on the Škoda MissionL concept car,[7] and was launched in 2012. It is, however, a different design, slightly longer, with different interiors, a slightly different body shape, and different engine options. It was shown in premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012.

Engines

Overview of engines available for the Rapid (India).

Petrol engines

Engine designation	Production	Engine code (family)	Displacement, configuration, valvetrain, fuel system, aspiration	Motive power at rpm	max. torque at rpm	Gearbox (type), drive	Top speed [km/h]	0–100 km/h [s] (0–62 mph)	Combined consumption [l/100 km / mpg imp / mpg US]	CO2 [g/km]
1.6 MPI 77 kW	2011–	(EA111)	1598 ccm, I4, 16V DOHC, naturally aspirated	77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 5250 rpm	153 Nm. (113 lb•ft) at 3800 rpm	5-speed manual	N/A	N/A	6.7 / 42.4 / 35.3	N/A
1.6 MPI 77 kW	2011–	(EA111)	1598 ccm, I4, 16V DOHC, naturally aspirated	77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 5250 rpm	153 Nm. (113 lb•ft) at 3800 rpm	6-speed automatic	N/A	N/A	7.0 / 40.4 / 33.6	N/A

Diesel engines

Engine designation	Production	Engine code (family)	Displacement, configuration, valvetrain, fuel system, aspiration	Motive power at rpm	max. torque at rpm	Gearbox (type), drive	Top speed [km/h]	0–100 km/h [s] (0–62 mph)	Combined consumption [l/100 km / mpg imp / mpg US]	CO2 [g/km]
1.6 TDI CR 77 KW	2011–2014	CLNA (EA189)	1598 ccm, I4, 16V DOHC, common-rail, turbocharged	77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 4400 rpm	250 Nm (184 lb•ft) at 1500–2500 rpm	5-speed manual	N/A	N/A	5.1 / 55.1 / 45.9	N/A
1.5 TDI CR 77 KW	2014–	CWXB (EA189)	1498 ccm, I4, 16V DOHC, common-rail, turbocharged	77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 4400 rpm	250 Nm (184 lb•ft) at 1500–2500 rpm	5-speed manual	N/A	N/A	4.7 / 59.7 / 49.7	N/A
1.5 TDI CR 77 KW	2014–	CWXB (EA189)	1498 ccm, I4, 16V DOHC, common-rail, turbocharged	77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 4400 rpm	250 Nm (184 lb•ft) at 1500–2500 rpm	7-speed automatic	N/A	N/A	4.6 / 61.2 / 50.9	N/A

Facelift

facelift Skoda Rapid

The Rapid received a facelift in early 2017, making it look similar to its other Skoda siblings. Current Škoda Rapid made since 2017 is the successor to Škoda Rapid (2011). Rapid is a model name that the Czech auto manufacturer has used since the 1930s. The Škoda Rapid is now available in hatchback and sedan versions. Škoda launched the Rapid sedan in India in the year 2011. The Škoda Rapid sedan is essentially based on the Skoda Fabia hatchback vehicle. The Rapid is a popular premium sedan in the car market of India. The Czech auto major launched the new updated Škoda Rapid sedan in the Indian car market in November 2016. The new Škoda Rapid facelift[8] model comes with an array of changes and updates to help it enhance its appeal to the customers and to increase the sales volumes.

Exterior

The new updated Škoda Rapid[9] has been endowed with a new front fascia that is in line with Skoda's new design language that has been used on its new family of cars such as the new Octavia, new Superb and the car maker's latest Kodiaq SUV. The new Rapid facelift's fresh front end comes with a newly styled radiator grille that is surrounded by a chrome finished frame and new angular headlight design to appear sharper than before and to enhance the aggressive visual appeal. The sedan model also gets a new bumper design that is sharper than before and houses a large honeycomb air intake that further enhances the sharper and bolder appeal, while fog lamps are placed on either side of the air intake. The new updated Rapid also comes endowed with some mild updates on its rear design. The updates on the car's back design include a restyled bumper and a new chrome strip on the car's boot lid. Skoda has also endowed a new boot lip spoiler and revised tail lamps to offer a fresher look for the rear façade of the facelift Rapid. The side profile of the sedan remains unchanged, excepting for the redesigned alloy wheels. The range topping variants of the sedan also offers LED daytime running lights which are integrated to the dual barrel headlamp setup of the car. All these design updates make the new updated Skoda Rapid look and feel more contemporary, premium and stylish than the previous model.

Interior

The new updated Skoda Rapid sedan offers a very well-appointed cabin design. The classy looking interiors with nice fit and finish are like that of its German sibling and market rival, the Volkswagen Vento. The cabin of the Rapid has also been improved with some upgrades and changes to match its fresher exterior. The car offers a very spacious and comfortable cabin with nice well-supportive seating arrangement and ample legroom to offer a comfortable drive experience for all the occupants. The sedan also gets some added features such as cruise control system, light sensing automatic headlamps and rain sensing automatic wipers. The top of the line variant of the Rapid sedan offers a 6.5-inch touchscreen integrated infotainment system that comes along with MirrorLink feature that allows one to put all the smartphone content on to the automobile's display. There are also the standard connectivity options such as AUX, USB and Bluetooth. Other features include Automatic Climate Control, Multi-function Steering Wheel and more.

Safety features

To ensure the safety of its occupants, the Skoda Rapid comes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Dual Front Airbags that are offered as standard safety equipments on all the variants. The sedan also comes with the safety and security features of Rear Parking Sensors, Central Locking System, Engine Immobilizer, Door Ajar Warning, Brake Assist, Front and Side Impact beams, Crash Sensor, etc.

Engine and transmission

The Skoda Rapid is offered for sale in India in both petrol and diesel versions. The new updated Skoda Rapid's petrol gets powered by the familiar 1.6-liter petrol motor that has the capability to generate a maximum power output of 105 bhp along with 153 Nm of top torque. The petrol engine gets equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox as well as a 6-speed automatic transmission gearbox.

The Rapid facelift has come equipped with a new diesel engine, which is its primary attraction for the diesel version. The sedan comes powered by a new 1.5 liter 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that can deliver a peak power output of 109 Bhp along with 250 Nm of top torque. This diesel mill is also paired with a standard 5 speed manual transmission gearbox, while it also offers the choice of a 7 speed DSG transmission gearbox.

Mileage

The Skoda Rapid petrol offers a fuel efficiency of a maximum 14.3 km per liter on the automatic transmission and 15 km per liter on the manual transmission variants. On the other hand, for the diesel version the company claims a mileage of 21.13 km per liter on the manual transmission variant and 21.72 km per liter on the automatic transmission model.

Market Competition

The Skoda Rapid sedan competes with some very well established and bestselling models in the Indian C2-segment, such as the Suzuki Ciaz, the Honda City and the Volkswagen Vento. The Rapid sedan also shares its platform as well as engine range with its German competitor, the Volkswagen Vento. Although the Rapid has been a highly popular product from Skoda and a major sales volume drawer in India, its popularity is not even closely comparable to the top sellers of the C-segment of India.

Pricing

The new updated Skoda Rapid sedan's petrol range has a price range that starts at Rs. 8.27 lakhs that goes up to Rs. 11.36 lakhs for the top model, while the diesel variants have a price range starting at Rs. 9.48 lakhs that goes up to Rs. 12.67 lakhs for the range topping model. The Czech car manufacturing company offers 4 years of warranty on all its automobile models and provides road side assistance and the company's maintenance package.

References

1. "Skoda launches Rapid sedan". Sify.com. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
2. "Skoda Rapid – A detailed look". Zyglr.com. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
3. "Skoda launches Rapid sedan". Sify.com. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
4. "Skoda Rapid – A detailed look". Zyglr.com. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
5. https://www.motorbeam.com/2016/11/cars/skoda-rapid/2017-skoda-rapid-review-test-drive/
6. "Škoda Rapid voted "Family Car of the Year"". Skoda-auto.com. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
7. "Skoda Rapid sketches revealed". Auto Express. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
8. "2016 Skoda Rapid Facelift : A Close Look – Team-BHP". Team-BHP.com. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
9. "Skoda Rapid facelift launched at Rs 8.35 lakh – Autocar India". www.autocarindia.com. Retrieved 22 March 2017.

External links

• Škoda Rapid – Škoda India
• Review – Top Gear Magazine
• Autocar – Autocar India