Skoda Auto India has launched the facelifted Rapid sedan at a starting price of Rs 8.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) for the base Active variant.

The Rapid has three variants on offer, starting with the Active, going up to Ambition and Style. Anan automatic gearbox option is offered on the Ambition and Style trims for both petrol and diesel engines.

While the top-spec petrol-manual variant costs Rs 10.44 lakh, the base diesel is priced at Rs 9.57 lakh, going up to Rs 11.66 lakh. In terms of automatic transmission, the petrol model is priced between Rs 10.39 lakh and Rs 11.46 lakh, while the diesel’s sticker price is from Rs 11.71 lakh to Rs 12.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra).

This is the first major update for the Rapid since its launch in 2011. Till end-October 2016, the sedan has sold a total of 69,240 units in India (see India sales table below).

The facelifted Rapid gets Skoda’s new ‘crystalline design’ language which was well received on the Octavia and the Superb. There are more angular bits including the projector headlamps with LED daytime-running lamps, the new bumper, grille and bonnet.

Bump up in power

Although built on different platforms, the Rapid in India is now stylistically close to the Rapid sold globally.

The big change is that the Rapid now gets a 110hp 1.5-litre diesel engine. Compared to the earlier car, the Rapid facelift gets a bump in power, thanks to the addition of a locally sourced, slightly larger turbocharger. This is the same engine that made its debut on the Volkswagen Ameo, and will soon be used in the Vento as well. The other engine on offer is the 1.6-litre petrol, which has been carried over unchanged. Both engines are paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Interestingly, it's the diesel engine that still uses a seven-speed DSG gearbox while the petrol carries forward the old six-speed automatic unit.

In terms of equipment, top-spec variants come with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink connectivity, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, footwell lighting, rear air-con vents and a cooled glovebox. In terms of safety, dual airbags and ABS are offered as standard. Also available on select variants are rear parking sensors and ESP.

Sudhir Rao, Chairman and MD, Skoda Auto India (right) and Ashutosh Dixit, director (Sales, Service & Marketing), Skoda Auto India at the launch of the facelifted Rapid in Mumbai. 

Speaking at the launch in Mumbai today, Sudhir Rao, chairman and MD of Skoda Auto India, said: “The new Rapid offers a compelling combination of the brand’s emotional design, exquisite interiors, a host of convenience features, leading safety as well as intelligent connectivity features. An improved ownership experience, an ongoing model offensive strategy combined with the launch of the new Rapid will consolidate our growth going forward. The new Rapid forms the next evolution in our sedan strategy for India.”

Ashutosh Dixit, director – Sales, Service & Marketing, Skoda Auto India, added: “The new Rapid positioned at the top end of the segment is a family car, compact enough for the city and spacious enough for longer trips. We expect the Rapid to dominate the upper end of the C segment.”

Tough-as-nails competition

In India, the Skoda Rapid facelift goes up against the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Ciaz. With Skoda Auto India’s recently enhanced focus on aftersales, the Rapid facelift is likely to lend a fillip to the carmaker’s share in the hotly contested midsize sedan segment which sells around 200,000 units every year. 

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