The facelifted Skoda Rapid sedan series is launched in the car market with a few exterior and interior changes. It is available in quite a few trim levels, out of which, Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI AT Ambition Plus is their mid range variant. Its exteriors get a refreshed bumper along with a wide air dam for cooling the engine quickly, revamped radiator grille, headlight cluster and a brand new set of alloy wheels. The cabin is designed with a new flat-bottom steering wheel and silver accentuated center console with a magnetic card holder. It also has cruise control, rear parking sensors and an advanced music system with a unique iOS5 and Android based phone application for back seat occupants. In terms of safety, it is bestowed with dual front airbags, height adjustable front seat belts, rough road package, an engine immobilizer with floating code and so on. This particular variant is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which can displace 1598cc. It has the ability to produce 103.5bhp along with 153Nm of peak torque output. This stylish sedan is currently available in various exterior paint options, which are Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Cappuccino Beige, Deep Black Pearl, Flash Red and a new Toffee Brown metallic finish options.
Exteriors:
Its frontage is designed with a chrome surrounded radiator grille, which is embedded with a prominent company's logo. This grille is flanked by a sleek headlight cluster that is incorporated with halogen projector headlamps and side turn indicator. The body colored bumper houses a wide air dam, which is surrounded by a couple of round shaped fog lamps. Its windscreen is made of tinted glass and is integrated with a set of intermittent wipers. Coming to its side profile, it has neatly carved wheel arches, which are fitted with a set of 15-inch alloy wheels. These rims are further covered with 185/60 R15 sized tubeless radials. Its door handles and outside rear view mirrors are painted in body color. The ORVMs are electrically adjustable and integrated with side turn blinker. The rear end has a body colored bumper, which has a couple of fog lamps and a curvy boot lid that is embossed with variant badging. Its windscreen is integrated with a wash and wipe function along with a defogger. Lastly it also has an antenna mounted on the roof for better reception of FM radio. The dimensions of this sedan remain the same with an overall length of 4386mm, height of 1466mm and a total width of 1699mm. Its minimum ground clearance is 168mm and the large wheelbase measures 2552mm.
Interiors:
The dual tone internal cabin of this Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI AT Ambition Plus trim is quite spacious. Its silver accentuated center console of magnetic card holder, chrome finished inside door handles, gear shift knob and AC vents gives it a classy appearance. The multi-functional display houses traveling time, distance traveled, average speed, immediate consumption, average consumption , travel distance before refueling, service interval reminder and outside temperature display. The seats are well cushioned and provides ample leg space for all passengers. These are integrated with adjustable head restraints and covered with premium fabric upholstery. It has a spacious boot compartment of 460 litres. The rear seat comes with foldable function, which helps in increasing the boot volume. The company has given this variant a few utility based aspects like cup and bottle holders in center console and door trims, front seat map pockets, an illuminated glove box with cooling effect and assist grips with coat hooks. It has a 12V power socket in center console for charging gadgets.
Engine and Performance:
Under the bonnet, this variant is powered by a 1.6-litre, in-line petrol engine with liquid cooling system. This 4-cylinder based mill has the ability to displace 1598cc. It can churn out a maximum power of 103.5bhp at 5250rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 153Nm at 3800rpm. This motor is cleverly mated with a six speed automatic transmission with triptronic (manual) gear changing system. It allows this sedan to attain a maximum speed of 188 Kmph. At the same time, it can propel the sedan from 0 to 100 Kmph in close to 10.7 seconds, which is rather impressive for this segment. It is incorporated with a MPFI supply system that allows it to generate 14.3 Kmpl on the highways and 12 Kmpl in the city traffic conditions.
Braking and Handling:
It is blessed with a direct rack and pinion steering with an electro mechanic system. It is tilt and telescopic adjustable, which supports a minimum turning circle of 10.6 meters. This variant has an advanced hydraulic dual diagonal circuit braking system that is accompanied by vacuum assistance function. The front wheels are equipped with a set of disc brakes along with inner cooling system and single floating caliper. Whereas the rear wheels are assembled with drum brakes. It is further augmented by ABS along with dual rate brake assist. The front axle is assembled with a McPherson strut, which also has torsion stabilizers and triangular links. While the rear one gets a compound link crank axle type of suspension system.
Comfort Features:
This Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI AT Ambition Plus variant is incorporated with a leather wrapped multi-functional steering wheel, which is mounted with audio and call control buttons. It has an efficient air conditioning unit with dual rear AC vents. It also has dust and pollen filter for purifying the cabin air . The advanced SKODA 2-DIN audio unit supports USB interface, Aux-in port, SD/MMC data card reader along with Bluetooth connectivity. It is also equipped with an iOS5 and Android based phone application for back seat occupants, which helps in controlling the car's audio. Apart from these, it is bestowed with height adjustable driver seat, front and rear center armrest, height and length adjustable steering wheel, all four power windows with driver side auto down function, tinted windows and windscreen.
Safety Features:
The list of aspects include a central locking system along with child proof rear door lock, airbags for driver and front co-passenger, seat belts for all occupants and an advanced engine immobilizer with floating code. In addition to these, it also has speed sensitive auto door locks, remote control with foldable key , fuel supply cut-off in crash, rough road package, height adjustable head restraints, security code for audio player and rear parking sensors.
Pros:
1. Spacious internal cabin with lots of comfort features.
2. Good engine performance.
Cons:
1. After sales service network can be improved.
2. Price can be competitive.
