Skoda has dated the launch of the Skoda Rapid facelift as on November 3, 2016. This new updated model will also be the first major facelift of the sedan, in five years, ever since its launch in 2011.
The facelift will carry a lot of cosmetic, visual, electrical and mechanical upgrade with a lot of new features and equipment. The new-gen Skoda Rapid gets a new nose with an attractive wing-shaped front grille, sophisticated fog lamp housing, rectangular fog lamps and headlamps, wider air dams, etc.
Mechanically, the Skoda Rapid facelift will be updated with the 1.5-litre diesel engine delivering 110 hp of power. The same powertrain is shared by the Volkswagen Ameo, where it made its debut. It will also be powering the Volkswagen Vento. The engine has been tuned to deliver marginally better power due to more of localization and the bigger turbocharged powertrain.
The petrol motor will be a 1.6-litre unit, which will remain the same as in the current Rapid. Skoda will offer transmission options as the 5-speed manual for the petrol variant. The 7-speed DSG automatic transmission will be offered only in the diesel-powered variants.
The cabin will largely remain the same, except for some minor changes here and there, while the facelift model is likely to sport a bigger touchscreen infotainment system. So, expect the manufacturer to price the new-gen Rapid a little higher than its current price.
When launched, the Skoda Rapid will compete with key rivals as the Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and the Volkswagen Vento in the highly populated segment. With all its updates, Skoda is likely to score better in the executive sedan segment with the new Skoda Rapid.
Credits: http://www.vicky.in/bike/
