Skoda RAPID 2021
If you want a 0-100km/h under 10 second car under ₹10lakh what do you choose? Many advocate good options like Polo and Vento, well the cousin brand from Czech Republic has something to offer as well. First introduced in 2011, Skoda Rapid completed 9 successful years in India and has entered the 10th year with a bang. Giving volumes to the premium brand, the new facelifted Rapid available in 6 trims starting from Rider Manual at ₹7.79lakhs to the top variant Monte Carlo Automatic at ₹13.29lakhs ex-showroom Delhi has some interesting changes in terms of aesthetics and performance, what are those changes and how is it better? Let us find out.
Engine and Technology
Down from 1.5L TDI and 1.6L MPI engine the Rapid now comes with a 1L TSI engine which is a 3-cylinder turbo petrol variant producing 110hp and 175nm of torque combined with a 6-speed manual and automatic transmission, the new engine is small yet produces additional 5hp and 22nm of torque than the previous 1.6L MPI engine which came with a 5-speed manual. This new engine comes from the EA 211 family of Volkswagen engines used to power small Volkswagens and Skodas. For this Front Wheel Drive variant has replaced the DCT gearbox with a 6-speed torque converted gear box from Volkswagen to reduce cost. Built on the AO5 PQ 25 platform which is shared by Vento, Polo and 2017 Audi A1, the Rapid comes with disc brakes with MacPherson suspension in the front and drum brakes with Compound Link Crank suspension at the rear.
Design
The design has not much changed from the last facelift launched in 2016 and carries the same silhouette since first model launched in 2011, it has aged in comparison to the competition but it still manages to impress. 4.4m long, 1.4m high and 1.7m wide with a wheelbase of 2.55m wheelbase and a laden ground clearance of 116mm the Rapid is not very spacious than the Hyundai Verna or Honda city. Available in 6 color choices – Toffee Brown, Lapiz Blue, Carbon Steel, Flash Red, Brilliant Silver and Candy White, the top variant Monte Carlo comes with an optional black roof for a dual tone look. 16-inch alloy wheels, black radiator grill and a lot of chrome elements acts as the cherry on top.The design has not much changed from the last facelift launched in 2016 and carries the same silhouette since first model launched in 2011, it has aged in comparison to the competition but it still manages to impress. 4.4m long, 1.4m high and 1.7m wide with a wheelbase of 2.55m wheelbase and a laden ground clearance of 116mm the Rapid is not very spacious than the Hyundai Verna or Honda city. Available in 6 color choices - Toffee Brown, Lapiz Blue, Carbon Steel, Flash Red, Brilliant Silver and Candy White, the top variant Monte Carlo comes with an optional black roof for a dual tone look. 16-inch alloy wheels, black radiator grill and a lot of chrome elements acts as the cherry on top.
Just as the exterior, the interior hasn't changed much as well. The dual tone black and beige interior is a solid built as proved by the happy thud sound when closing the doors. The top Monte Carlo variant gets all black interior with red accents on the steering wheel and seats for added sportiness and 2 cushions as an added accessory. Tilt and Telescopic steering along with great visibility adds to the comfort of the driver which is important because this is a car for those who love to drive. 14-inch spare wheel and 460L of boot space is decent enough for long trips. The front type C port is placed in the dashboard making it difficult to access which is a small flaw in the design.
Features and Safety
The new Rapid has a big list of features that are very much common in cars at this price point, these include LED DRL's, height adjustable seats, Cruise control, Multifunction steering wheel and a touch screen infotainment system with navigation. Keeping these features aside, there are few things like sunroof, push button start/stop, LED headlamps and cooled seats which are not available even in the top variant and can be a point of differentiation from the competition.
| Parameters/Variants | Rider | Rider Plus | Ambition | Onyx | Style | Monte Carlo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror Link | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Inotainment Screen | ✖ | 6.5-inch | 6.5-inch | 6.5-inch | 8-inch | 8-inch |
| Connectivity | ✖ | Apple Carplay | Apple Carplay | Apple Carplay | Android Auto & Apple Carplay | Android Auto & Apple Carplay |
| Keyless Entry | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wheels | R15 Steel | R15 Steel | R15 Alloy | R16 Alloy | R16 Alloy | R16 Alloy |
| Cruise Control | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| LED DRL's | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Remote Trunk Opener | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen | Projector | Projector | Projector | Projector |
| Electric folding ORVM | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fog lights | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Navvigation System | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rain Sensing Wiper | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multifunction Steering Wheel | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
As far as the safety of the car and its passengers is concerned, the new Rapid has a solid built and has scored 5 stars in Global NCAP ratings which implies “come what may, and we will survive”. Along with the strong built, there is Dual airbags and ABS EBD. Skoda offers 4 years or 1lakh KM warranty to its customers.
Driving and Performance
The 1L engine has more power than the previous 1.6L engine, it is really after 4000 rpms that the turbo charger kicks in and gives a boost of power, it feels like a beast trapped inside wanting to go free, the engine loves to be revved and stretched high. This immense power from a smaller and lightweight engine results in 0-100km/h in 9.8secs in the 6-speed manual and 11secs in the 6-speed automatic. Reduced front weight also helps in better cornering and handling of the car. With great insulation all over, the engine sound which is already very low even more reduced for a pleasant journey.
Verdict
The powerful engine and strong built quality are the main offerings in the Skoda Rapid, yes there are some features absent which are provided by the competition but Skoda has focused more on the performance capabilities and numbers rather than giving air vents in the seats. After a good response from the customers, the Czech brand hiked the prices by ₹20,000/- to ₹30,000/- depending on the variant, even after the price hike Rapid is available at a price of premium hatchbacks. Many customers from the non-metro cities have complained about no workshop nearby, well Skoda has thought of it and has recently announced to open more compact workshops in non-metro cities for better coverage. The new replacement of the Rapid with a higher expected price is coming next year which makes the current Rapid a good buy and incredible value for money.