Skoda Rapid 2011-2014 Ultima 1.6 MPI Elegance

Rapid 2011-2014 Ultima 1.6 MPI Elegance Review

Skoda India has launched a limited edition series of their successful Skoda Rapid sedan. There are two manual and two automatic trims in the petrol engine series and among them is the Skoda Rapid Ultima 1.6 MPI Elegance trim. It has spacious interiors and have been bestowed with some impressive and superior comfort and safety aspects. The company has always been striving hard to give the Indian customers their best vehicle models in the most competitive price they can afford. This Ultima Edition models have their signature arresting looks and a powerful engine fitted in them. This top end manual variant has a well balanced mix of interesting comfort and safety features. The company has fitted this premium sedan with a commanding and fuel efficient power train as well. This variant comes equipped with a 1.6-litre, Multi Port Injection (MPI) fuel supply system based petrol mill. This premium sedan has some notable comfort and safety features like front and rear fog lamps, ABS with brake assist, driver front airbag, door open indicator, engine immobilizer with a floating code, remote controlled lock and unlock of doors as well as opening and closing of windows with a foldable key. Apart from this, the company has added a few additional features in this variant, which are leather upholstery, navigation system, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and door sills as well.

Exteriors:

This latest Skoda Rapid Ultima 1.6 MPI Elegance variant has a sturdy body structure. The latest addition to this Ultima series is a striking decal, which starts from the bonnet and goes on till the boot lid covering the roof as well. The design is sleek and this sedan has a smooth and flowing side profile as well, which makes it look very attractive. The front fascia of this sedan is enigmatic and yet looks cultured with chrome trim and surround on the radiator grille, which is flanked by a set of large head lights that are fitted with powerful projector lamps. The front body colored bumper has been neatly designed and is fitted with a couple of bright fog lamps. The side profile has body colored external rear view mirrors, while the pronounced wheel arches have been equipped with a classy set of sturdy alloy wheels, which have been covered with robust tubeless radial tyres. The rear end of this sedan has a bright tail lamp cluster, while the boot lid is compact in comparison with its bigger siblings with a curvy and sleek look to it. The rear body colored bumper has a clean appearance to it and has rear fog lamps apart from the tail lamp cluster and also a high level LED third brake light for added visibility to the other cars. Apart from all this, the company has given rear parking sensors as well to this trim for making the parking easier for the driver.

Interiors:

The plush interiors of this trim have been designed with class, which gives a luxuriant feel to the occupants. There is plenty of space and the roomy interiors ensure that the passengers get immense comfort and are relaxed all the time. The seating arrangement is quite luxurious with well cushioned seats that have ample leg room along with good head and shoulder space. The interior plastic quality and other surfaces are done up with high quality material, while the seats are covered with premium leatherette upholstery. There is chrome treatment given to the interior door handles and on the front central console along with the gear shift selector as well as the locking button of the hand brake. Apart from all this, there are quite a few storage options as well such as storage space and bottle holders in the front and rear doors and other storage spaces in the front center console and below it as well, map pockets behind the front seats, then there are front and rear cup holders that have flip frames 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 company has fitted this variant with a 1.6-litre petrol mill, which has a liquid cooling system and four cylinders and 16 valves along with a DOHC (dual over head cam shaft) with transverse in front. This authoritative 1598cc petrol mill has the ability to give out a peak power output of 103.6bhp at 5250rpm along with a maximum torque yield of 153Nm at 3800rpm, which is rather pertinent for the Indian traffic conditions. This power packed petrol mill has been skillfully coupled with a fully synchronized 5-speed manual transmission gear box for efficient and smooth gear shifts.

Braking and Handling:

This Skoda Rapid Ultima 1.6 MPI Elegance trim has been blessed with a proficient braking system. The company has bestowed this sedan with a hydraulic dual diagonal circuit that is vacuum assisted as well for enhanced braking. This petrol sedan has been bestowed with an efficient braking mechanism with the front wheels getting disc brakes, which have inner cooling with a single piston floating caliper. While the rear wheels have been integrated with drum brakes for proficient braking. This premium 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.

Comfort Features:

This variant has been integrated with quite a lot of utility and comfort based aspects. The list comprises of a height adjustable driver seat, front and rear center arm rests, height and length adjustable power steering wheel, an integrated 1-DIN audio system with a large format display along with front and rear speakers, a powerful air conditioning unit, which has dust and pollen filter for fresh in-cabin air circulation, adjustable dual rear AC vents that are placed on the rear center console, adjustable outside rear view mirrors, all tinted power windows with the driver window having one touch automatic operation with an anti pinch system, a 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 and several such utility and practical comfort features, which will certainly amaze the buyers.

Safety Features:

The list of these very important aspects includes an ABS with BA , 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, driver 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, 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.

Pros: Lustrous exteriors, lavish insides, powerful engine with good pickup.

Cons: Price tag can be made more competitive, mileage can be made better.