Skoda Rapid Facelift Launched In India;Prices Start At Rs. 8.27 Lakh
Skoda Rapid, the popular sedan from the Czech carmaker has received a major facelift in India. Launched at a starting price of Rs. 8.27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the updated Rapid comes with a host of new design elements and number of new features.
The Rapid facelift gets a revised bumper, grille and headlights
The interior is updated with new upholstery and infotainment system
The Rapid facelift also gets a new 1.5-litre diesel engine
Skoda Rapid, the popular sedan from the Czech carmaker has received a major facelift in India. Launched at a starting price of Rs. 8.27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the updated 2016 Skoda Rapid comes with a host of new design elements and number of new features. While the petrol variants range from Rs. 8.27 lakh to Rs. 11.36 lakh, the diesel trims have been priced from Rs. 9.48 to Rs. 12.67 lakh (all ex-showroom Delhi). The new Rapid is available in three variants - Active, Ambition and Style and in two new colours - Flash Red and Silk Blue along with the existing colour options. Here are the highlights from the launch event.
Watch the Skoda Rapid Facelift First Look Review after the jump:
The updated Skoda Rapid continues to competing with the likes of Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and the soon to be updated Volkswagen Vento. The new Skoda Rapid looks much fresher, while also getting an updated features list. In fact, the updated Rapid gets the most comprehensive upgrade the car has received ever since it first arrived in 2011. With the latest upgrade, the Rapid now has styling and design cues in line with Skoda's new design language. The updates will help keep Skoda India’s most affordable model afloat for the next couple of years, till the next generation model steps in.
New Skoda Rapid Front
The new Skoda Rapid gets sharper exterior styling with majority of the changes concentrated at the front. The headlamps are now angular and have also grown in size, while the grille with a chrome outline is wider and integrates into the headlamp cluster. You also see masculine lines on the bonnet reminiscent of the older Superb, while the bumper is all new and gets a clutter free look with black cladding and trapezoidal fog lamps. The side and rear profile remain largely the same with the facelifted 2016 Skoda Rapid sporting minimal changes, with the design mimicking the larger Octavia.
undefined Inside, the cabin is largely the same on the Skoda Rapid facelift, but with a host of tweaks and new equipment on board. The sedan gets cruise control, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, as well as a MirrorLink touchscreen infotainment system, restricted to the top variant and comes with AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, navigation and a whole lot more. Auto climate control continues to be on offer on the sedan. On the safety front, ABS and dual front airbags are part of standard equipment.
New Skoda Rapid Side
The other major change on the updated Skoda Rapid is the new 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine. The oil burner is the same EA 189 series unit that has cost the Volkswagen Group its Endurance team and World Rally Championship team. That said, the motor was recently tweaked for India and made its debut on the Volkswagen Ameo with upgraded power.
The 1.5-litre TDI now makes around 5bhp more over the outgoing Rapid, churning out 108bhp of power at 4000rpm and 250Nm of torque available between 1500-3000rpm. The motor comes paired to a 5-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The folks at Skoda India claim that the petrol engine with manual transmission achieves a fuel efficiency figure of 15.41 km/l while the petrol automatic returns 14.84 km/l. The 1.6-litre MPI four-cylinder petrol continues to be on offer which puts out 103 bhp. The engine is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed tiptronic transmission. Fuel efficiency figures for the diesel manual and automatic are 21.13 km/l and 21.72 km/l respectively.
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