Skoda builds Monte Carlo editions of its cars as an ode to its history of motorsport success. Skoda India, is planning to build a Monte Carlo edition of the Skoda Rapid and is expected to launch it by the end of 2017.
Skoda is already working on the new Rapid which will get yet another facelift to resemble its bigger cousins, the Octavia and the Superb. The Monte Carlo Edition will be available in a special shade of red. It will get sporty touches like the blacked out headlamp and tail lamp internals. The chrome lining on the front grille will give way for a black surround and the air dam on the front bumper will probably be larger and aggressive. The wing mirrors will be blacked out and the alloys will also be doused in black.
We will have to wait for the facelift to come out before early 2017 to know how the interior will be laid out. While we are not sure about the hues it would be dressed in, it will certainly get a new touch--screen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, steering mounted audio controls and electrically adjustable and retractable wing mirrors. It will get projector headlamps, with fog lamps in the front and tail lamps with light guides. As for comfort, it already has an automatic climate control with vents for the rear passengers, height adjustable driver seat, an adjustable steering and cruise control.
The new Rapid is expected to run the same underpinnings as the current car and may get a few tweaks. The 1.5-litre turbo-diesel that it shares with the VW Vento will churn out 108bhp instead of the current 103bhp with a better torque output as well. The diesel Rapid will get both the five-speed manual and the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. If the new Rapid continues with the 1.6-litre MPI engine, it will produce 103bhp of power and will be offered with a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The Rapid competes with its twin, the VW Vento long with Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and the Nissan Sunny. The Rapid is the entry-level sedan in Skoda’s line-up that also has the Octavia, the Superb and the Yeti and the Monte Carlo edition should be offered for a premium of about Rs 50,000 over the standard trims of the Rapid.
