2016 Skoda Rapid facelift Spied ahead of latter half of this year launch with heavily revised exterior
The facelifted Skoda Rapid is the major update the company will be bringing to the model ever since it was launched five years ago. The spy images of the mid-size sedan’s released by Autocar reveal that the cosmetic changes made have been quite substantial. It will be rivalling against Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City, Hyundai Fluidic Verna and the Volkswagen Vento.
The front fascia will come adorned with a new headlamp cluster and sharper lights, a new bonnet, revised bumper, re-engineered fenders and a new grille sheltering the Skoda emblem. All these changes are well put together and the facelifted model will win over its competitors in terms of sharp and aggressive styling.
The sleek stance and unabated bodywork are reminiscent to the company’s global design ethos as followed in the Rapid sold in foreign markets and in Octavia. The changes to the exterior will be accompanied by modifications to the interior design as well as added equipment to catch-up with the competition.
Skoda launched the new Superb with updated engine, latest design and improved cabin earlier last month at a starting ex-showroom price of Rs. 22.68 lakh and it looks like the facelifted version of the Rapid sedan will be coming as well in the closing quarters of this year. The Czech Republican auto maker is more likely to continue with the same engine line-up.
The 1.6-litre petrol motor makes 104 bhp at 5,250 rpm and 153 Nm at 3,800 rpm while the 1.5-litre diesel engine develops 104 bhp at 4,400 rpm and 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm. Customers can choose between a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The base variant of the existing Rapid is priced at Rs. 7.71 lakh and the top-of-the-line variant is sold for Rs. 11.86 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom Delhi).
The diesel engine could see a slight hike in power courtesy of the new turbocharger employed in the months following the launch. The Maruti Ciaz and Honda City are runaway successes as both sedans are sold in average of 6,000 units monthly but behind them there is a huge gap in sales exist with the Verna, Vento and Rapid running closer to each other.
Source: Autocar India
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