Skoda has finally given the Rapid a much-needed facelift. The heavily updated car gets more angular styling upfront that includes an all-new nose, new front bumper and chin. The overall look is now more in line with its European namesake and its larger siblings in India – the Octavia and Superb. The facelift also marks the model’s first major cosmetic update since its launch in 2011. In 2014, the car received an update when the old 1.6-litre diesel was replaced by the 1.5 diesel engine.
Engines
The biggest mechanical change to the car is the updated diesel engine. The motor is now the 1.5-litre unit that made its debut on the Ameo and is good for 110hp. The 1.6-litre petrol motor carries forward unchanged from its predecessor. Both engines are paired with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard with the option of an automatic gearbox as well. Interestingly, the new car carries forward the same arrangement as its predecessor, with the petrol getting an old-school six-speed torque converter automatic and the diesel getting the more high-tech seven-speed DSG unit.
Equipment
The facelifted Rapid is available in three trim levels, Active, Ambition and Style. All variants are equipped with features such as dual airbags, ABS, electric folding wing mirrors, power windows and remote boot release. Higher variants get the inclusion of cruise control, rain sensing wipers, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, footwell lighting, ESC and reverse parking sensors.
Rivals
Key rivals to the Skoda Rapid include the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Ciaz. With the Rapid now getting new styling and more equipment, Skoda aims to increase its share in the executive sedan segment.
Price
The updated Skoda Rapid is priced as follows (ex-showroom, Maharashtra):
Petrol Manual
• 1.6 MPI Active M/T – Rs 8.35 lakh
• 1.6 MPI Ambition M/T – Rs 9.27 lakh
• 1.6 MPI Style M/T – Rs 10.44 lakh
Petrol Automatic
• 1.6 MPI Ambition A/T – Rs 10.39 lakh
• 1.6 MPI Style A/T – Rs 11.46 lakh
Diesel Manual
• 1.5 TDI Active M/T – Rs 9.57 lakh
• 1.5 TDI Ambition M/T – Rs 10.49 lakh
• 1.5 TDI Style M/T – Rs 11.66 lakh
Diesel Automatic
• 1.5 TDI Ambition DSG – Rs 11.71 lakh
• 1.5 TDI Style DSG – Rs 12.78 lakh