Skoda is a heritage- a company with more than a century of expertise in manufacturing fine cars. It is a brand that is even older than its present owner, Volkswagen.
Volkswagen was born as a people's car, the result of Adolf Hitler's efforts to make cars affordable to the masses.
But then, by the time Volkswagen was born, Skoda was already a three-quarter century old company manufacturing luxury coaches and cars. Though Volkswagen's takeover of the automobile legend has had several effects on the Czech company, even today Skoda continues to be a more luxurious brand than Volkswagen in certain aspects.
The answer, to people who think that Skoda Rapid is a Volkswagen Vento in a different skin, is pretty simple- Both cars have the same platform, engine and gearbox and they have 80% of their body parts in common. But the Rapid scores higher on appeal, thanks to its wonderful design. The trademark Skoda grill and the bonnet, beautiful alloy wheels and a better rear-end design give the Rapid a better look.
Many Skoda cars have been test driven and reported here. This time around, it is a Skoda with a difference. Into the test drive report of Skoda Rapid Diesel Automatic.
Design
Americans, as a people are laidback. They like to put in minimum effort and they love it when they don't have to use anything more than one hand and one leg while driving, without having to bother about changing gears. Catering to the taste of the people of the land, car manufactures launch only automatic cars in the U.S. Things are similar in the Gulf countries as well, but they are different in Europe. Most cars in Europe come with manual gearboxes as Europeans love the experience of manually shifting through the gears as they gather speed.
Vehicles with automatic gearboxes suit the Indian traffic conditions, but there are not many automatic options available here. Most cars sold in the Indian market are with manual gearboxes. However, customer response has been encouraging to small cars that come with automatic gearboxes. Gearless scooters have always been in demand in the country. Several recently launched cars with automated manual transmission have also seen good demand. Keeping in line with the shift in customer preference towards auto-geared vehicles, here comes a Skoda with the modern DSG gearbox, the Skoda Rapid AT.
The Rapid Black Pack edition is a stunner. The matt-black front grill, black projector headlamps, black wing mirrors and excellent alloy wheels in matt black finish are some attractive features that make the Black Pack edition striking. Though the Black Pack edition is priced slightly higher, considering the beautiful looks of the car, the premium is justified.
The dashboard, seats and door trim are all in dual tone. The steering's height and its distance from the driver can be adjusted. Dedicated air conditioning vents for the rear passengers have been incorporated while the co-driver seat is now adjustable from the rear seat like in the Vento. These are welcome changes that go an extra mile in proving Skoda's sustained efforts towards passenger pampering. There is plenty of boot space in the Rapid.
Behind the Wheel
The engine that delivers 105-bhp and 250 nm of torque underwent some modifications recently and it has come out smoother and more fuel efficient. The same engine, with the same power and output figures, is found in the Vento as well. The seven-speed automatic gearbox from the Volkswagen stable incorporates the most modern technology.
Driving is hassle free since one does not have to bother about gear shifts. The car comes with a sports mode for those who can't check their craving for speed. There is an option to drive the car in the manual gear mode as well, in case one gets bored of driving it in the automatic mode. Suspension has also been re-tuned to offer better ride comfort and handling. Braking is sharp and precise.
The Rapid AT is available from Rs 10.86 lakh ex-showroom.
For Test Drive contact: 9744566666