Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance

Skoda India has one of the most striking and marvelous fleet of vehicles in the Indian car market. Skoda India Private Limited is the Indian arm of the transnational luxury automobile maker Skoda Auto, which is based in the Czech Republic. Their stable is brimming with some spectacular and elegant model lineup’s, which are acclaimed globally for their powerful engines and lavish interiors. Skoda Cars have spacious interiors and have been gifted with some advanced and refined safety and comfort features. The company has done a lot of research and put in a lot of hard work to make their car models splendid across all the automobile markets. One such model line from their admirable stable in the Indian market is the Skoda Rapid series. This model line is being offered in three trims each of petrol and diesel variants. Among these the Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance is the top end trim in this series. According to a Skoda Rapid review, this Elegance trim is being offered with a lustrous metallic finish in colors like candy white, brilliant silver, flash red, cappuccino beige and deep black pearl. This Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance is a remarkable combination of luxurious insides along with outstanding driving dynamics and a safe and sturdy body structure. This premium sedan is said to have all the needs and is fitted with sophisticated features that any sedan owner would want in their car.

Exteriors

The Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance has a strong and muscular structure with a stunning bodyline, which is smooth and flowing that makes it look enchanting. The front façade is simply brilliant and yet looks aristocratic with chrome laced bold radiator grille that is flanked with a large perceptively cut headlamp cluster, which is fitted with powerful and luminous headlights. The front body colored bumper has been integrated with a couple of bright fog lamps, which makes the visibility better in adverse weather conditions. The body colored outside rear view mirrors that are placed on the side profile is optimally placed, while the robust wheel arches have been endowed with an elegant set of five spoke, 15 inch alloy wheels , which are a delight to look at. These wheels are lighter and make the sedan stable and help in giving a well balanced driving pleasure to the occupants. The rear end of this Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance has a lively and bright tail lamp cluster, while the rear windscreen has been incorporated with a defogger. The boot lid is compact in comparison with its bigger siblings with a curvy and an angular press to it, while a prominent Skoda Badge has been embedded in the center of the boot lid. The rear body colored bumper has a clean appearance to it and also has the parking sensors, which helps in parking this premium sedan comfortably. The overall dimensions of this Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance are very impressive with a overall length of 4386mm and a total width of 1699mm . Along with a total height of 1466mm and a roomy wheel base of 2552mm, this premium sedan also has a remarkable ground clearance of 168mm.

Interiors

The plush interiors of this Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance have been put together with a lot of careful thinking, which gives a completely upper class feel once you step inside it. There is plenty of space and the roomy interiors ensure that the passengers get immense comfort and are relaxed all through their drive. Each and every aspect has been well thought and incorporated in the interiors of this elegant sedan. The interior plastic quality is top class, while the fabric used is of premium quality as well. The foot mats and storage compartments are also made up of high quality materials. The dual tome Ivory and Mocca color based interiors along with the front dash board as well as the door panels and plush ivory upholstery for the seats. The regal chrome décor that is seen on the inside door handles, the brilliant central console that has quite a few gadgets and other aspects, the gear shift selector, the air conditioning vents, a chrome trim on the power steering, locking button as well as on the hand brake makes this car up market and urbane. Apart from all this, there are quite a few other remarkable features such as a storage capacity in the boot of 460 litres, storage pockets behind the front seats, front and rear cup holders that have flip frames, a center arm rest between the front seats with storage compartment and bottle holders in the front doors with a small storage compartment and a number of other such interesting and utility features that will make the customer extremely comfortable inside this premium sedan.

Engine and Performance

The powerful engine fitted in this Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance is a 1598cc turbocharged in-line diesel mill with a liquid cooling system and a high pressure direct injection system with four cylinders and 16 valves dual over head cam shaft with transverse in front . This commanding drive train has the capacity to churn out a maximum power output of 102.9Bhp at 4400 Rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 250Nm at 1500 to 2500 Rpm as mentioned in the Skoda Elegance specification. This power packed engine has been cleverly mated with a five speed fully synchronized manual gear box transmission with efficient and smooth gearshifts. This influential engine has the capability to take this premium sedan from 0-100 kmph in just about 12.4 seconds and can attain an impressive top speed in the range of 170 to 185 kmph . The Skoda Rapid mileage is said to be between 16 to 20 kmpl, which is quite good for a sedan in this segment.

Braking and Handling

This is one of the most important aspects of any vehicle as a lot depends on these two things. The braking system is a hydraulic dual diagonal circuit that is vacuum assisted as well for better results. This Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance has powerful braking mechanism with front disc brakes that have inner cooling with a single piston floating caliper. While the rear wheels have been integrated with drum brakes for proficient braking , this sedan also has an advanced anti lock braking system with dual rate brake assist for enhanced braking effectiveness. The sturdy suspension of this premium sedan is a McPherson Strut with lower triangular links as well as a torsion stabilizer for the front axle, while the rear axle has been equipped with a robust compound link crank axle.

Safety Features

Skoda India has bestowed this premium sedan, Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance with some of the most advanced and refined safety and protective features. These include ABS with a brake assist, halogen headlights with leveling, front and rear fog lamps, a high level third brake LED light, an internal anti glare rear view mirror , rear windshield with defogger, drive and front passenger airbag, height adaptable 3-point seat belts for the front and a couple of 3-point outer seat belts along with a center lap belt for the rear seats, a rough road package, child proof rear door and window locking, automatic fuel supply cut off in the event of an accident, dual tone warning horn, an engine immobilizer with a floating code system, a security code for the integrated music system, a pair of remote control foldable keys, remote lock and unlock of all doors and boot compartment along with opening and closing of all the windows and numerous other such protective features.

Comfort Features

This Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance is the top end version in this model line and the company has given it almost everything in terms of convenience and comfort. The long list of these features comprise of height adjustable driver seat, front and rear center arm rests, height and length adaptable power steering wheel, an integrated Skoda 2-DIN music system with a large format display along with front and rear speakers, SD/MMC data card reader and also AUX-In input functions, a powerful air conditioning unit with climatronic, which has an automatic climate control with electronic regulation of the cabin temperature that also has dust and pollen filter for fresh in-cabin air circulations, adjustable dual rear AC vents that are placed on the rear centre console, electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors, all tinted power windows with the driver window having one touch automatic operation with an anti pinch system, a multifunction display that displays travelling time, the distance travelled, average speed, immediate and average consumption of fuel along with the distance travelled before refueling, service interval reminder, outside temperature display and a digital clock as well, rear center lamp and reading spot lamps at the front and the rear , luggage compartment illumination, front sun visors along with vanity mirror in the left sun visor, an acoustic signal if the lights are left on and also a remote boot release.

Pros

Remarkable exteriors, plush and luxuriant interiors, advanced and sophisticated comfort and safety features, power packed turbo engine.

Cons

Mileage can be improved, engine sound can be reduced a bit, and price can be more competitive.