While the current-generation of Skoda
Rapid is long overdue for a replacement, Skoda Auto India has recently launched
an upgraded version for 2020. While it got no styling upgrade over the outgoing
1.6 MPI version, the company brought in an all-new engine to source things up
and meet the BS6 emission norms. While the new Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI was only
available with a manual at the time of launch, Skoda will soon be offering the
car with an automatic gearbox option in September.
The 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder petrol
motor is a brand new engine and replaces the ageing 1.6 MPI. Talking about its
capability, the unit is tuned to produce 108 bhp and 175 Nm of torque. This new
turbocharged unit can also be found under the hoods of the new Polo hatchback
and Vento sedan. The VW Group has already made clear that they would not be
offering a dual-clutch automatic gearbox in engines below the 1,500 cc mark. As
such, the new Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI will offer the company’s 6-speed conventional
automatic gearbox, similar to the ones found in the new Vento and Polo.
The new 2020 Skoda Rapid might be a
familiar sight outside, yet it does offer quite a few aesthetically please
design and convenience touches. The highlights here include a blacked out
grille, smoked-out LED headlamps with LED DRLs, blacked-out ORVMs and new
16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Step inside and there are plenty of high-end
features to be found. Highlight in the Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI’s cabin include an
8.0-inch Android-based touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control,
multi-functional steering, rain-sensing wiper, auto-folding ORVMs, auto-dimming
rear-view mirror, rear-view camera and automatic climate control. In terms of
safety, 2020 Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI offers passengers six airbags, ABS with EBD,
electronic stability control and hill-hold assist.
The Skoda Rapid range can be had in five
trim levels, namely - Rider, Ambition, Onyx, Style and Monte Carlo. The price
range starts at INR 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes all the way up to 11.79
lakh (ex-showroom) for the Monte Carlo edition. While there are no official
reports of pricing for the automatic version, we expect to pay a premium of INR
50,000 to INR 1 lakh, depending on the variants.
