Spied:- Skoda Rapid Sedan in India

Spy Images

By George ⋅ May 28, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Rapid, the upcoming C-segment offering from Skoda Auto caught on Indian roads. Overdrive managed to film the heavily camouflaged Rapid sedan on the outskirts of Pune, Maharashtra. As the test mule is heavily camouflaged it does not reveal much information about the styling and other details. But the mule gives some clear insights about overall design of the car.

The internal project code of Skoda Rapid is VW SK251. Skoda Rapid’s design will be more inclined to it’s hatchback sibling Fabia. Rapid sedan will not be based on Skoda’s latest styling concept Vision D. On a closer look, one can easily find out Rapid’s relation to VW Vento. Especially design of out side rear view mirrors and side panels design are similar to VW Vento. Rapid and Fabia may spot same front grille and head lamp design. VW – Skoda will position Rapid just below Vento to avoid siblings rivalry. Naturally Skoda Rapid may not bring many gadgets that we see in Vento. Skoda Rapid price may from Rs. 6.5 lakh onwards.

Under the bonnet hood, Skoda Rapid will have a 1.6ltr diesel and petrol engine that currently powering up VW Vento. But the engine may undergo re-mapping exercise to optimize the power and torque characteristics. Skoda may preview Rapid sedan in upcoming New Delhi Auto Expo 2012.

VW Vento managed to snatch the C-Segment leader crown from Honda City within few months of it’s launch. Thanks to VW’s product planning team for bringing a decent diesel sedan with sensible price tag. Now Skoda Rapid with it’s no frill approach may target the entry level sedan segment where Maruti SX4 is ruling now. Sometimes Skoda may price Rapid aggressively so that it even emerge as a threat for other entry level sedans like Mahindra Verito, Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Tata Manza.