The Skoda Rapid sedan has been a popular pick among the Czech carmaker’s line-up in India. The carmaker will be introducing a facelift version later this year which will get cosmetic and feature upgrades. The new model is expected to help the brand in strengthening its presence in the Indian market.
Under the hood, the Skoda Rapid facelift will not get major mechanical upgrades. The 1.6-litre petrol engine generates 103bhp of power and 153Nm of torque. It will be offered in a five-speed manual and an optional six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel trim will continue to be offered with a 1.5-litre engine that generates 103bhp of power and comes mated to a five speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission option.
On the design aspect, the front gets an edgier style which is in line with the Skoda’s new design philosophy. It also gets sharper headlights and a restyled grille. The fenders and the front bumpers have been revised to give it an international appeal. As for the rear, the bumper has been smoothened out on the edges for a neat finish. The sides resemble the current generation but feature new alloy wheels to complement the new look. You can also expect electronically adjustable and foldable ORVMs.
Inside, you can expect to see new seat fabrics, a new Mirror Link touchscreen infotainment system with a reverse camera option, dual tone interiors, rain sensing wipers, cruise control and front seat armrest. The car will also get rear AC vents and Climatronic-automatic AC with dust and pollen filter. In terms of safety, the car will get airbags and ABS with EBD as standard.
Loaded with fresh upgrades, it is anticipated that the facelift Skoda Rapid might generate customer interest from other segments apart from the regular loyal Skoda fan following. On the pricing aspect we can expect the car to cost slightly higher than the current range.
Photo Source: M
