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| Economy | |
|---|---|
| Mileage | 21.7 kmpl |
| Service Cost | ` 9,564 /yr |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1498 cc |
| BHP | 103.52 |
| Comfort | |
|---|---|
| Automatic | Yes |
| Rear AC Vents | Yes |
| Safety | |
|---|---|
| ABS | Yes |
| Driver Airbag | Yes |
|
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July 11, 2016: Skoda Rapid facelift is all set to be launched near the festive season this year. The sedan is expected to carry same engines of the present Rapid along with a turbocharger to boost its power figures. This will be a major facelift for the vehicle since 2011. Earlier in April, Skoda Auto India had voluntarily stopped retail of the Rapid diesel variants with manual transmission for a temporary period. This decision came just after Volkswagen India announced the suspension of sales for the manual variants of the Vento diesel. The halt in sales was with effect from April 1. This discretionary pause was announced because these two were essentially the same cars with different badges, and shared most of their mechanical bits. As Skoda said that this was only a precautionary step that falls in line with that of Volkswagen. Other Rapid variants were not affected by this decision, and the variants such as the 1.6 MPI petrol engine and the 1.5 TDI diesel engine with the automatic transmission continue to be on sale.
| Variants | Ex-Showroom Price | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 TDI Active 1498 cc, Manual, Diesel, 21.14 kmpl |
`9.1 Lakh* |
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| 1.5 TDI Ambition 1498 cc, Manual, Diesel, 21.14 kmpl |
`10.23 Lakh* |
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| 1.5 TDI Style Plus 1498 cc, Manual, Diesel, 21.14 kmpl |
`10.91 Lakh* |
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| 1.5 TDI Style Plus Black Package 1498 cc, Manual, Diesel, 21.14 kmpl |
`11.04 Lakh* |
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| 1.5 TDI AT Ambition 1498 cc, Automatic, Diesel, 21.66 kmpl |
`11.51 Lakh* |
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| 1.5 TDI AT Style Plus 1498 cc, Automatic, Diesel, 21.66 kmpl |
`12.19 Lakh* |
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| 1.5 TDI AT Style Plus Black Package 1498 cc, Automatic, Diesel, 21.66 kmpl |
`12.32 Lakh* |
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|
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| 1.6 MPI Active 1598 cc, Manual, Petrol, 15.0 kmpl |
`8.02 Lakh* |
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|
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| 1.6 MPI Ambition 1598 cc, Manual, Petrol, 15.0 kmpl |
`9.16 Lakh* |
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|
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| 1.6 MPI Style Plus 1598 cc, Manual, Petrol, 15.0 kmpl |
`9.84 Lakh* |
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|
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| 1.6 MPI Style Plus Black Package 1598 cc, Manual, Petrol, 15.0 kmpl |
`9.97 Lakh* |
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|
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| 1.6 MPI AT Style 1598 cc, Automatic, Petrol, 14.3 kmpl |
`10.56 Lakh* |
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|
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| 1.6 MPI AT Style Plus 1598 cc, Automatic, Petrol, 14.3 kmpl |
`10.91 Lakh* |
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|
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| Facelift 1598 cc, Manual, Petrol, 15.0 kmpl |
`8.59 Lakh* |
Alert Me When Launched
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| Variants | Fuel Type | Mileage (kmpl) | Transmission | Engine Description | Power | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | Highway | |||||
| 1.5 TDI Active | Diesel | 17.9 | 21.14 | Manual | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm |
| 1.5 TDI Ambition | 17.9 | 21.14 | Manual | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm | |
| 1.5 TDI Style Plus | 17.9 | 21.14 | Manual | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm | |
| 1.5 TDI Style Plus Black Package | 17.9 | 21.14 | Manual | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm | |
| 1.5 TDI AT Ambition | 18.3 | 21.66 | Automatic | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm | |
| 1.5 TDI AT Style Plus | 18.3 | 21.66 | Automatic | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm | |
| 1.5 TDI AT Style Plus Black Package | 18.3 | 21.66 | Automatic | 1498cc |
103.52bhp @ 4400rpm | |
| 1.6 MPI Active | Petrol | 12.0 | 15.0 | Manual | 1598cc |
103.52bhp @ 5250rpm |
| 1.6 MPI Ambition | 12.0 | 15.0 | Manual | 1598cc |
103.52bhp @ 5250rpm | |
| 1.6 MPI Style Plus | 12.0 | 15.0 | Manual | 1598cc |
103.52bhp @ 5250rpm | |
| 1.6 MPI Style Plus Black Package | 12.0 | 15.0 | Manual | 1598cc |
103.52bhp @ 5250rpm | |
| 1.6 MPI AT Style | 11.0 | 14.3 | Automatic | 1598cc |
103.52bhp @ 5250rpm | |
| 1.6 MPI AT Style Plus | 11.0 | 14.3 | Automatic | 1598cc |
103.52bhp @ 5250rpm | |
OVERVIEW:
Introduction:
The Skoda entered the Indian market with the Octavia in early 2002. It enjoyed immediate success and helped establish the Czech brand quite quickly. We Indians quickly became fans of the TDi engine and the superb handling it offered. In an attempt to replicate this success in other segments with potentially higher volumes, Skoda launched the Rapid. Let’s see if this car lives up to the hype that its elder siblings enjoy.
Pros:
1. Solid dashboard, great seats, lots of infotainment features. Great Interiors overall.
2. Handling continues to be top-notch while the ride comfort is also very decent.
Cons:
1. Can prove pricier to maintain/service compared to other cars in the segment.
2.The horrible after-sales stories continue to haunt the company. Skoda has been specifically focussing on this aspect since last year, but the verdict is still open.
Stand Out Features:
1. After the 2014 update, it now offers the legendary DSG gearbox on its diesel variants. The gearbox provides the best of both the manual and automatic transmissions.
2. Optional Black Package for the top-end variants simply oozes style and class.
Background and Evolution:
The Rapid first entered the market in 2011 with the promise of Skoda’s interior quality and handling levels at a much more pocket-friendly price. The only updates to it in late-2014 have been a new diesel engine and the addition of a new automatic gearbox to this diesel lineup. Interiors have also been spruced up a bit to match the competition, but the overall design has remained the same. A facelift due later this year.
EXTERIOR:
The Skoda Fabia is definitely a very handsome car. It has the trademark European ‘no-frills’ design which contrasts the flashy, chiseled looks of its Asian competitors.
At the front, you have the trademark Skoda grille with the black vertical slats and a chrome plated strip resting on top carrying the company’s redesigned badge. The Headlamp clusters on either side look a bit wide-eyed compared to the sleek ones seen on the City, Verna or VW’s own Vento. Their roots in the Octavia are evident and this was perhaps Skoda’s thought process too. Projector headlamps however, are on offer only for the top variant. The sculpted bonnet at the top and the simple fog lamps at the bottom add a touch of elegance to the front face.
Coming to the side profile, we see a single, prominent line that runs across the vehicle between the wheel arches. Just enough effort to distinguish it from the Vento perhaps. That aside, the 15-inch wheels fill out the wheel arches sufficiently. The alloy wheels that the top variants get have a new design after the 2014 update and the new ones look much better.
The rear is where it’s shared platform with the Vento becomes evident. At a glance, the two look identical. The tail lamps however have the C-shaped design that is typical of Skoda. Also, there are two diagonal kinks flanking the nameplate on either side and one horizontal kink below it that are absent in the Vento. Overall it still maintains the simple, classy look that befits the Skoda badge.
The Rapid is almost the same size as the Vento and just like the Vento, it has the least height and wheelbase in its segment. This might not bode well for the 5th occupant.
In terms of boot space, the Skoda turns out to be the lowest while the Vento is actually on the higher end of the spectrum. Might not be a deal breaker for most, but Skoda definitely knows a thing or two about creating room, so we expected more.
INTERIOR:
On getting inside, the dual-tone interiors that greet us are soothing to look at. Every aspect of the interiors looks strictly functional and gives the car an old-school charm. The build quality also feels very solid.
The front seats have solid support all round, with a height-adjustable center armrest. The height-adjustable driver’s seat coupled with a steering wheel adjustable for rake and reach make the driver’s seat a very comfortable place to be in.
The instrument cluster has a simple two dial layout with display in between for additional information. Steering mounted controls feel solid, so does the leather-wrapped steering wheel itself. The center console is a standard affair, with the infotainment system having all the latest tech-wizardry. Lack of a touchscreen however betrays the car’s age in an otherwise great interior. There are chrome linings at various places on the center console and steering wheel for added elegance. Top end variants get Automatic Climate Control too.
The new automatic gearbox for the diesel variants was one of the significant changes made during the 2014 update. The Shifter flaunts the presence of this famed DSG gearbox by having the initials etched on it. The all-black knob with a lining of chrome feels very ergonomic to use. A 12V port in front of it flanked by two cubby holes round out the features here.
The rear seats are also quite roomy, with rear AC vents enhancing the comfort levels. The fifth occupant may feel a bit cramped during short journeys and for longer journeys the Rapid is definitely a four-seater only.
Storage spaces overall are more than ample. You have cup holders with flip frames at the front and rear. Standard bottle holders on all doors, cubby holes below the front armrest and in the centre console are sure to address all your needs.
PERFORMANCE:
There are two engine options for the Rapid, a 1.6L MPI petrol and 1.5 TDI diesel. Both engine options have a manual and an automatic variant.
PETROL:
The petrol engine puts out 105bhp at 5250 rpm and 153 Nm of torque at 3800 rpm. The engine is not exactly the most responsive one in this segment. However it does accelerate well and the torque also feels a bit higher throughout its rev range.
The 5-speed manual gearbox is definitely one of the smoothest we have seen. It has short throws and the gearing is clever enough to cover up for the engine’s shortfalls. The 6-speed automatic does make things interesting by having a S mode for more Sporty behaviour. However, its regular mode (D-mode) feels quite laggy and is best suited for bumper-to-bumper traffic only. Chasing triple-digit speeds and overtaking feels more convenient in the S mode.
Diesel:
The diesel has been downsized from 1.6L to 1.5L after the 2014 update. But it still continues to generate the same 105bhp@4400rpm and 250Nm@1500-2500rpm that the larger engine generated. The torque is certainly at the higher end of the spectrum in this segment, the highest being 260Nm generated by the 1.6L diesel in the Verna. Since this torque is available right from 1500rpm, the diesel does feel light on its feet. However, the refinement levels feel a bit lacking at higher rpms as the engine can get disturbingly noisy. This comes as quite a surprise to us, as this was not the case for the earlier, larger engine.
The 5-speed manual is a great match for this engine and can make both city driving and highway cruising a breeze. The star however, is the newly introduced DSG box. This is a 7-speed box used in the Vento diesel and not the 6-speed box used in the Octavia. This too has the S and D modes like the petrol does. But in this case, the D-mode was much better, with the shifts happening fast and there was no sluggishness at all! It makes best use of the torque available across a wide rpm range and keeps you on the move irrespective of the speed. The S mode, as expected, is good for highway driving but can prove a bit too jumpy and difficult to drive in the city as the throttle is much more sensitive. Also, the engine stays at higher revs for longer in S mode and this does not bode very well for the TDI as it can get quite whiny.
RIDE AND HANDLING:
The Rapid has different setups for the Diesel and the Petrol versions. The diesel has its suspension setup on the stiffer side as expected, but what was not expected was the ease with which it could glide over potholes even with a stiffer suspension. At the same time, this same stiffness ensured that the vehicle remains planted around turns and over any major potholes even at high speeds. Body roll is very well controlled. The petrol on the other hand, was effective at normal speeds, soaking in bumps very easily. At highway speeds however, the soft suspension led to too much movement and did not inspire confidence like the diesel. The suspension and the TDI+DSG combo make the Diesel version of the Rapid a much better car to drive. Braking was top notch on both petrol and diesel variants.
SAFETY:
Skoda has always been considered as the more premium brand as compared to its plain-jane VW cousins. In keeping with this image, it has ensured that all its vehicles have the safety features that a premium badge commands. Dual front airbags are standard across all variants, with ABS and ESC being offered for all variants except the base one. ESC is offered only for diesel automatic transmission. Other features like fuel supply cut-off in crash, Reverse parking distance control (Parktronic) and a sound-based warning signal for excess speed are also built into the vehicle for better safety.
VARIANTS:
As you can see, Skoda has covered most bases in the base Active variant itself and by the time you reach the mid-level variant, you have most bells and whistles you require. But the gearbox, engine and variant combinations can get a little confusing here, so let us break it down for you.
If you are going for an automatic vehicle, the diesel is a no-brainer. Going for the Ambition variant should give you good value for money. The major things you might miss out on will be the Halogen headlamps, Cruise control and Automatic climate control.
If you are going for a manual transmission, the petrol has one of the smoothest gearboxes around. So that should be your choice if you want pure driving pleasure. If practicality is also in mind, you can go for Ambition trim for diesel too.
One interesting thing about the Rapid is the Black Package that is being offered at a premium of Rs. 13,000. This trim looks really great and is definitely worth the money in our opinion, if you are willing to spend it. Obligatory picture of this beautiful machine below.
“Wicked” is the word you’re looking for.
VERDICT:
When looking at the Rapid, you would start off with its closest competitor, the Vento. It is basically the same car underneath but offers much more value. In terms of the segment in which it sits, the build is top notch and performance figures are sufficient to excite you. The only down sides we see is the feature list. However, the bigger concern is the after sales service of Skoda.
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