Skoda RapidThe new Skoda Rapid is awesome and the smallest Skoda now looks amazing with features of the largest Skoda. The logo that has moved from the grill to the bonnet, new grills and the honeycomb shape of the air dam have all made the Rapid much more beautiful and worth a second look.
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is the name given to a process in which two companies come out with the same car under different names. Other than minor changes, both the cars are alike. This is the case with Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid. Audi A3 also shares similar components, platform mechanicals, but being a premier model it offers more luxury inside than the Rapid and Vento.
Interiors
Historically, Skoda has been making luxury cars and before making cars, they used to make luxury horse carriages. The Rapid brand has been in vogue since 1984 and it shone well for time.
The changes that are seen in the new car are mostly concentrated on the front side. New alloys, new colors: red and blue, chromium door handle and integrated spoiler are some of the additional changes.
The scratch proof dashboard is furnished in ebony and ivory colours. Touch-screen entertainment, foot-well illuminator, cruise control and large back seats are the new features in the new car. The car is especially magnanimous to the rear passenger who can enjoy the AC vents in the rear and also push the co-driver's seat forward without alighting from the car. The base models get ABS and air bags. The Hill Descent system comes only in the automatic. Height of the steering and its reach can be adjusted.
Driving
The new 1500 cc, 110 BHP, 250 nm engine offers five horses more than the old engine, silently and efficiently. The automatic comes with a seven-speed DSG box. Mileage is 21.73 kms to the litre.
Driving is effortless in the car because there is no need to shift gears. Choose the Sport mode, if you need more power. Then when you get bored with the automatic, you can shift to manual mode. The suspension smoothes out undulations on the road and the braking is efficient. Those who are planning for a new car can opt for the Rapid, without doubt.
Price: Rs 9.65 lakhs onwards, ex-showroom.
