Skoda Auto India today introduced a new automatic option in its mid-sized sedan – Skoda Rapid. The 2020 Rapid TSI will now offer a six-speed automatic transmission option along with the 6-speed manual gearbox. 

The Skoda Rapid AT has been priced between Rs 949,000 for the base Rider Plus variant to Rs 1,329,000 for the top-of-the-line Monte Carlo trim. Other variants including the Ambition (Rs 1,129,000), Onyx (Rs 1,149,000) and Style (Rs 1,299,000) are priced in between.

Manual transmission variants, on the other hand, are priced between Rs 749,000 to Rs 1,179,000, ex-showroom. 

The Rapid gets a BS VI-compliant 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged stratified injection (TSI) engine that develops 108bhp and 175Nm of torque. The engine in the automatic variants comes mated to a six-speed conventional torque-converter automatic transmission that replaces the outgoing DSG gearbox which did duty in the earlier Rapid with the 1.2-litre TSI motor, however, is similar to the unit in the Rapid 1.6 MPI.

Skoda claims that the Rapid TSI AT delivers 5 percent more power, 14 percent more torque and 9 percent higher fuel efficiency at 16.24kpl over the 1.6 MPI automatic model.

According to Zac Hollis, brand director, Skoda Auto India, “With the introduction of a six-speed automatic transmission across the refreshed Rapid TSI range, the Czech marque has raised the benchmark within the segment. It is a reliable technology, provides a dynamic drive experience, and deems to be the best seller in its class."

The Rapid TSI AT will compete with the Hyundai Verna (Rs 1,196,000), Honda City (Rs 1,224,000), Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Rs 9,980,000) and the Toyota Yaris (Rs 957,000).