Skoda Rapid facelift launched in India at Rs 7.22 lakh

On the first day of Navratri, Skoda India launched tweaked version of Rapid sedan in domestic market. Sporting minor cosmetic changes made to the exteriors and interiors, Skoda Rapid facelift basic petrol variant has been rolled out at Rs 7.22 lakh and the basic diesel MT variant is priced at Rs 8.38 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). New Rapid range comprises of four trims in both manual and automatic variants, these trim levels are- Active, Ambition, Ambition Plus and Elegance.

A major change has been made to the diesel range with the replacement of earlier 1.6 litre TDI diesel engine with the 1.5 litre TDI motor. The 1.5 litre TDI engine is basically a downsized variant of the 1.6 litre powertrain that offers top power output of 105 PS at 4400 RPM along with peak torque of 250 Nm. A five-speed manual gearbox is matched to the diesel variants. However, yet another highlight of new Rapid is a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission offered on diesel variant.

Petrol range of new Rapid houses the same 1.6 litre MPFI engine delivering 105 Bhp of pinnacle power at 5250 RPM along with 153 Nm of torque at 3800 RPM. Petrol engine is matched to a five-speed manual and an automatic gearbox has also been put on offer.

The base Active variant offers a newly designed 15-inch steel wheels swapped with the previous 14 inch alloys. Inside the cabin, the vehicle gets a new magnetic card holder placed on the central console. Other standard features such as power windows, front and rear armrest, power steering, Chrome trim on radiator grille and door handles, body colour bumpers and gloss black decor on B-pillar, halogen headlights with manual leveling, high mounted LED brake lamp, after market audio preparation 1-DIN + cable + connector, manual air conditioning with rear AC vents, have been incorporated.

New Skoda Rapid

Additional features other than the above mentioned equipment placed in Ambition variant includes chrome surround for radiator grille, chrome garnish for front centre console, gearshift selector and locking button of hand brake, body coloured external mirrors and door handles, driver side height adjustment seat among others. Safety features like lamps, rear windscreen defogger with timer, ABS and brake assist with automatic versions, driver side airbags and few others have been fitted on this trim.

Feature list pegs up as we go above in new Rapid range, Ambition Plus placed a notch ahead of Ambition comes loaded with rear parking sensors, cruise control, 2-DIN audio system with four speakers, AUX-in, USB and SD card support, power windows with anti-pinch and multi-functional steering wheel. On safety front, Ambition Plus gets dual SRS and ABS.

Placed at the top of the new Rapid range, Elegance variant boasts of additional high end features including automatic climate control, 15-inch alloy wheels, projector headlamps and a Black package option. The Black Package comprise of new black alloys, black grille and badge, blackened fog lamps and wing mirrors, black smoked headlamps with projectors. Other than these tweaks, the variant also features glossy black roof and black side foils.

Here is the complete price list of new Rapid (ex-showroom Delhi)

Skoda Rapid Active MT (petrol)- Rs 7.22 lakh

Skoda Rapid Ambition+ MT (petrol) –Rs 8.17 lakh

Skoda Rapid Elegance MT (petrol) – Rs 8.72 lakh

Skoda Rapid Elegance Black Package (petrol) – Rs 8.85 lakh

Skoda Rapid Ambition+ AT (petrol) - Rs 9.14 lakh

Skoda Rapid Elegance AT (petrol) - Rs 9.68 lakh

Skoda Rapid Elegance Black Package (petrol) - Rs 9.81 lakh

Skoda Rapid Active MT (diesel)- Rs 8.38 lakh

Skoda Rapid Ambition+ MT (diesel)- Rs 9.24 lakh

Skoda Rapid Elegance MT (diesel)- Rs 9.74

Skoda Rapid Elegance Black Package MT (diesel)- Rs 9.87 lakh