Prices for the petrol-only 2020MY Skoda Rapid BS6 C-segment sedan start at Rs 7.49 lakh ex-showroom
Skoda Auto India has opened bookings for the much-awaited petrol automatic variant of the Czech-origin brand’s entry-level offering, Rapid BS6. Interested buyers can confirm their booking for a token amount of Rs 25,000. Prices will be announced soon and deliveries will begin on September 18. At the moment, the 2020MY Skoda Rapid BS6 comes at a starting price of Rs 7.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 11.79 lakh, across six manual trims: Rider, Rider Plus, Ambition, Onyx, Style and Monte Carlo. Prices mentioned here are ex-showroom.
The updated Skoda Rapid was launched alongside the 2020MY facelifted Superb mid-size sedan and all-new Karoq compact crossover, towards the end of May 2020. Going with the ‘new normals’, the launch event was carried out an online platform with Brand Director Zac Hollis as the host.
Zac Hollis states that the Skoda Rapid’s 1.0 TSI motor offers “the best of both worlds: exceptional power output and excellent fuel efficiency”. He added that the compact saloon’s latest version has received an overwhelming response from buyers across the nation. The company expects good sales performance once the ‘Vento AT’ hits the market at a competitive price point.
Engine & specs
As you may know, every brand under Skoda Auto Volkswagen India group has chosen a petrol-only product strategy in BS6 era. Hence, the 2020MY Skoda Rapid receives only a 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol three-cylinder engine like its Volkswagen-branded twin, Vento. The motor generates 109bhp @ 5,000rpm and 175Nm @ 1,750-4,000rpm. This is coupled to a 6-speed TC automatic or a standard 6-speed manual transmission.
Compared to the phased-out BS4-compliant 1.6-litre MPI mill, the improved Skoda Rapid AT showcases 5 per cent more power and 14 per cent more torque, in addition to 9 per cent better fuel efficiency. Skoda Auto promises a fuel economy of 16.24km/l (ARAI figure) for the new Rapid BS6 petrol automatic variant. The figure rises to 18.97km/l for the existing petrol manual model.
Notable features & equipment
Sporting the brand’s modern ‘Crystalline design language’, the new Skoda Rapid features 16-inch dual-tone ‘Clubber’ alloy wheels, gloss black treatments, LED DRLs, 8.0-inch touchscreen, leatherette seats, cruise control, rear parking camera, four airbags, etc. It lags considerably behind rivals such as the new Honda City and Hyundai Verna in terms of interior equipment. Maruti Suzuki’s Ciaz is much more affordable as well.
Meanwhile, Skoda Auto India is readying the new-gen Indian-spec Octavia sedan. The car was spied a few times on Indian roads with minimal camouflage.
