Skoda has added features to the refreshed Rapid sedan that hit Indian showrooms late last year. The carmaker now offers larger 16-inch alloy wheels instead of 15-inch units, a soft-touch boot release button and a reverse camera on the top-spec Rapid Style variant.
The facelifted Rapid comes with features such as dual airbags, ABS, electric folding wing mirrors, power windows and a remote boot release. Higher variants get the inclusion of cruise control, projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, rain sensing wipers, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system (now with a reverse camera), footwell lighting, ESC and reverse parking sensors.
The Rapid is powered by the 1.5-litre unit that made its debut on the Ameo and is good for 110hp. It also gets the 1.6-litre petrol motor. 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. Prices for the Skoda Rapid Style trim with added equipment is likely to be higher by around Rs 35,000 than the outgoing car.
The Skoda Rapid takes on the likes of the Honda City (also refreshed a few months ago), the Vento Highline and the Maruti Ciaz (now sold via Nexa). It also rivals the Hyundai Verna which will see a full model change in a few months from now.
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