Skoda Rapid 2011-2014 Ultima 1.6 TDI Ambition Plus

Rapid 2011-2014 Ultima 1.6 TDI Ambition Plus Review

Skoda Auto India has some of the most scintillating cars in the market. Their stable is full with some spectacular and elegant sedans, which are acclaimed globally for their powerful engines and luxuriant interiors. One such model series is the Skoda Rapid lineup, which has been doing very well, since its launch in the Indian car market. This sedan is offered in quite a few trims with petrol and diesel engines. The company has now launched a new Limited Edition series called as 'Ultima'. These cars are blessed with spacious interiors and have been integrated with some highly developed and refined features. The company has put in a lot of hard work to make their sedans remarkable in all the international car markets. The company has launched this new Ultima Edtion model lineup in six trims, of which there are two automatic variants with a petrol mill. Then there are another two manual trims with petrol and diesel engines for the buyers to choose from. One of the diesel engine based trim is the Skoda Rapid Ultima 1.6 TDI Ambition Plus . This variant has been given quite a number of innovative aspects inside and stylish decals outside. This trim is a remarkable combination of luxurious insides along with outstanding driving dynamics and a sturdy body structure. This premium sedan boasts to have all the needs and features, which any luxury sedan owner would want in their car.

Exteriors:

This trim has a robust body structure with a stunning bodyline. The company has given it a long and prominent decal, which starts from the front bonnet till the boot lid. The frontage is simply brilliant and yet looks refined with a chrome treated radiator grille, which is surrounded by a large meticulously cut out head light cluster that is equipped with powerful lamps. The front body colored bumper has been integrated with a pair of dazzling fog lamps. The body colored external rear view mirrors that are placed on the side profile is well placed, while the neatly carved out wheel arches have been bestowed with a stylish set of seven spoke alloy wheels. The rear end has a lively tail lamp cluster, while the rear windscreen has been integrated with a defogger that has an intelligent timer as well. The boot lid is compact in comparison with its bigger siblings with a curvy look to it, while a large Skoda insignia has been embedded in the center of the luggage compartment lid. 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 that aids in easier spotting of this premium sedan for the other passengers.

Interiors:

The plush interiors of this Skoda Rapid Ultima 1.6 TDI Ambition Plus have been designed with flamboyance, which gives a complete aristocratic feel once you step inside it. There is plenty of space and the roomy interiors ensure that the passengers get immense comfort. 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 and other surfaces are done up with high quality material, while the seats are covered with top quality leatherette, which adds to the classiness of the insides. There are given quite a few chrome elements inside it to make it look sophisticated. There is chrome on the door handles and then there is finishing on the front central console, the gear shift selector as well as the locking button of the hand brake . Apart from all this, there are quite a few other 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 dominating power train equipped in this trim is a 1598cc turbocharged in-line diesel engine with a liquid cooling system and a high pressure direct injection system with 4 cylinders and 16 valves dual over head cam shaft (DOHC) with transverse in front. This commanding 1.6-litre mill has the capacity to churn out a maximum power output of 102.9bhp at 4400rpm in combination with a hammering torque generation of 250Nm between 1500 to 2500rpm. It has been skillfully coupled with a fully synchronized 5-speed manual transmission gear box with efficient and smooth gear shifts. This dominant turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engine has the ability to propel this premium sedan from 0-100 kmph in approximately 12.4 seconds and can also make this car achieve an impressive top speed in the range of 170 to 185 kmph. The mileage is being claimed to be between 16 to 20 Kmpl, when driven under standard conditions.

Braking and Handling:

The braking system of this trim is a hydraulic dual diagonal circuit that is vacuum assisted as well for enhanced braking. This Ultima Edition trim has been bestowed with an efficient braking mechanism with 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:

The list includes a height adjustable driver seat, front and rear center arm rests, height and length adjustable power steering wheel, an integrated Skoda 1-DIN audio system with a large format display along with front and rear speakers, a powerful manual 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, 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 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.

Safety Features:

This latest Limited Edition trim series has been equipped with some of the most advanced and highly developed safety features. These include an antilock braking system with a brake assist, projector 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, airbags, 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, 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 pair of remote control foldable keys, remote lock and unlock of all doors and boot compartment with opening and closing of all the windows and other such protective features.

Pros: Sporty exteriors, luxuriant interiors, powerful engine.

Cons: Engine sound can be reduced, mileage can be improved.