Tag: Rapid

Overview

The Škoda Rapid was launched in India in 2011 and got a facelift at the end of 2016. Škoda is a Czech automobile manufacturer. The Škoda Rapid sedan is essentially based on the Skoda Fabia hatchback vehicle. The Rapid is offered in both diesel and petrol variants with a choice of a manual or an automatic gearbox, there are a total of 18 variants to choose from! The prices start at 8.81 lakhs and go up to 14.26 lakhs (ex-showroom). 2 limited edition variants were also launched in 2017 and 2018, The Skoda Rapid Onyx and the Monte Carlo, the latter was rebadged 3 months after its initial launch as Edition X due to a trademark dispute with the clothing brand ‘Monte Carlo’. Although things were settled later on. 

The diesel Rapid gets the updated 1.5L TDI engine which was debuted in the VW Ameo. The new motor gets a larger turbocharger which is locally sourced. It produces 110 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, 5 bhp more than the previous engine. The diesel comes with a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG gearbox. The petrol motor is a naturally aspirated 1.6L MPI unit which produces 105 bhp and 153 Nm of torque. It comes with the option of a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic (torque converter) gearbox. 

First Impressions

The facelift brought new features and exterior changes making the Rapid look more truculent than ever before.  Upfront, the rapid gets the single piece grill that is similar to the Skoda family of cars. The headlamps get a blackened finish and a new quartz-cut projector along with LED DRLs. At the rear, you now get the new C-shaped smoked taillights and an integrated spoiler. I just love the crease on the hood which tappers towards the Skoda logo, adding to the aggressive look.

The car still looks very modern on the outside despite its age. It is when you enter the cabin, the car starts to show its age. The steering feels premium but we can’t say so for the rest of the dash. There are hard-plastics almost everywhere in this vehicle and not to mention the cabin design which looks outdated. Don’t get me wrong here, The Rapid is a solidly built car and the hard plastics used are of good quality yet their overuse in the interior has let down the premium feel that the competition has to offer. The instrument cluster is iconic but could have been better with the use of silver indents or something to give it a more big-ticket feel. 

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The seats are comfortable and offer good under-thigh support with good headroom as well. The front-seat passengers might resent the wide storage bin (center console) as it will brush against your leg while driving. Rear leg-room is good but the middle passenger won’t be comfortable with the center hump and the protruding rear AC vent placement. The doors shut with a thud and over-all quality is good. The boot has a storage space of 460L and the engine-bay is well packed.

The car packs in a number of features as well – a 6.5-inch touchscreen unit which is very slick to use and supports Android Auto and Apple Car play connectivity, the DSG gearbox (Dual-clutch gearbox) is a boon, rain-sensing wipers, the steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach, the glovebox is cooled, climate control along with rear aircon vents, cruise control, rear parking camera, auto-dimming IRVM, all windows are one-touch up-down, electrically adjustable ORVMs. Safety features include – 2 airbags with ABS standard across all variants, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Control, Traction Control button. Skoda has also looked into the warranty aspect and is now the only manufacturer offering a standard four-year warranty along with four years of Skoda Roadside Assistance and Skoda maintenance Package. 

The Ride 

I was able to get my hands on the diesel top model with the DSG gearbox. The Skoda Rapid offers good ride quality but the kick in the pants feel comes only in the mid-range and continues till the redline. Turbo-lag isn’t well contained as the low-end is very lacking. NVH levels (Noise, vibration, and harshness) are poor because the TDI motor isn’t well-refined and does get pretty vocal at times. That may be music to my ears but not to a customer who sees the car as just a vehicle to go from point A to B. In sport mode the throttle response sharpens and the shifts are quick, keeping the Rapid in its powerband. The choice of a dual-clutch gearbox was the right one because they provide the best performance out of the bunch. The suspension is good and provides a comfortable ride although big bumps aren’t absorbed that well. The steering’s feel and feedback is apt and weighs up nicely at higher speeds.

Verdict

Overall, the car offers a good balance between ride quality and a punchy feel. The turbo-lag in the low-end needs to be worked on, NVH levels could have been better and the lack of a rear parking camera is not helping the sales either. The car needs an update soon which might be coming 2021 and will make the Rapid a strong competitor in the C-segment sedan again. The DSG gearbox is a USP for the vehicle. Those who love how the Rapid drives and love a strongly built and well put together car will never fell disappointed flooring one. Skoda has looked into sales and services, providing warranty as well other assistance. Although you may find the Rapid feel a lot like its cousin that is the VW Vento, the Skoda Rapid does deliver in performance. It does put a smile across your face after the mid-range and nowadays very few cars in the Indian market are capable enough to do that.