New Škoda Rapid 1.5 TDI 7-Speed AT (DSG) - Road Test Review

As we land at the scenic Goa International Airport little are we aware of what lies beyond the busy baggage counters and security checks. We exit the airport and wait for our taxi to the hotel. Skoda had planned a big surprise for us - the new Skoda Rapid in gleaming cappuccino beige is waiting for us to drive. The new Skoda Rapid is much like the previous version of the car except for a few changes like a bolder looking Skoda badge and a new set of 5-spoke alloys. What really had us excited were the changes Skoda had made under the hood.

Engine & Performance

The new Skoda Rapid now comes with a 1.5 litre TDI which churns out 103bhp @ 4400rpm and 250Nm of torque @1500-2500rpm. The engine has been mated to the famed 7 speed DSG gear box. One of the first points you would notice on the new Skoda Rapid is that even though the engine is smaller than the previous version of the car the output has not changed. The 1.5 TDI in the Rapid has been manufactured by Bosch and Audi. It is the same engine you will find in the new Polo and the new Vento. When driving the 1.5 TDI you can feel the surge of power hit you in the mid range. While the Rapid is in drive mode it will pull cleanly from 3000rpm – 4000rpm after which it begins to tail off but if you choose to shift manually the car will pull cleanly till about 4400rpm after which the DSG does not allow you to redline and will up-shift automatically. The new Rapid has a refreshed drive experience thanks to the new 7 speed DSG gearbox. One of the biggest advantages of owning an automatic is the sheer level of comfort even while stuck in a traffic jam you don’t have to worry about clutching and shifting. The DSG however is even better, it is so smooth that you can barely feel the shifts between gears and it has been tuned to maintain higher rpm levels in the sports mode. The Rapid however does not seem well insulated and the noise from the 1.5 TDI does penetrate into the cabin which can be a drawback for those with a finer taste. One of the biggest advantages from the 1.5 TDI automatic is that it is one of the most fuel efficient versions of the car which is currently available giving 21.66 km to the litre. The fuel tank can hold 55 litres which gives the car a range of almost a 1000 km. The 1.5 TDI is a very chirpy engine and feels exciting to drive. The Rapid indeed is as engaging and thrilling as its name is. 

Handling & Suspension

The new Rapid much like the older version of the car handles very well. The suspension is moderately stiff and the ride comfort of the car like most Skoda and Volkswagen cars is really good. Be it bumpy roads or cornering at high speeds the car simply feels planted to the ground. The front suspension is a McPherson with lower triangular links and a torsion stabiliser. The rear has a compound link crank-axle which tends to jump if the back seat is empty. The brakes on the Rapid are very efficient. The front has disc brakes with a floating calliper while the rear has drum brakes. The chassis of the Rapid complements the drive and handling of the car and unlike the Japanese competitors the car does not tend to float at higher speeds. The new Rapid has 185/ 60 R15 wheels, which give it a proud stance and also complement the profile of the car. The car has a 168mm of ground clearance and has a turning circle diameter of 10.6m. The steering on the new Skoda Rapid is a direct rack & pinion with an electro mechanic power assist. The steering feels sporty and is a bit on the heavier side but is very responsive none the less.

Design & Styling

The design aspect of the new Skoda Rapid is like its previous versions and is an extended form of the Skoda Fabia.  The car literally has borrowed its styling from other cars in the VW family. The side profile of the car looks like the Vento while the back has horizontal linings on the boot to differentiate it from the Vento. The looks of the Rapid are of any typical Skoda however the vehicle is not coming on the MQB platform like the new Superb and Octavia. It has a good road presence and the design is bold and aggressive. The new Rapid is now being launched with a Black Package. The Black Package adds to the sporty feel of the car with new smoked projector headlamps, black painted 12 spoke alloys, black coloured ORVMs, black fog lamp housing and optional black roof and side graphic strips. The Black Package offered on the new Skoda Rapid gives the vehicle a very bold and sporty look. One of the new styling changes offered on the other variants of the Rapid are a new set of 5-spoke alloys. With decent pricing the black package on the new Skoda Rapid is an added advantage over the VW Vento and it costs less than its sibling rival.  

Features & Safety

The new Skoda Rapid comes packed with host of new features like a magnetic card holder, cruise control, parking sensors, etc. The Rapid is one of the few vehicles in the segment to offer a driver airbag as a standard safety feature. Thumbs up to Skoda for such proactive measures! Apart from air bags for the front passenger and the driver, the Rapid also comes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Dual Rate brake assist, fuel supply cut off in a crash, over speeding warning, rear park assist, etc. Some key convenience features on the new Skoda Rapid are a GSM sim with Bluetooth integration, multi-function steering with telephone controls, climatronic air conditioning, SD/ MMC card reader, USB and CD 2-Din music system, front centre armrest and cruise control. The colour options available on the new Skoda Rapid are in Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Cappuccino Beige, Deep Black Pearl, Flash Red and the new Toffee Brown.  

The Verdict

While there are not many changes on the design front of the new Skoda Rapid barring the additions found on the Black Package, the 1.5 TDI mated with the DSG gearbox is a real joy to drive. The engine and performance of the new Rapid may have the same output but definitely feels refreshed in terms of pick-up and efficiency thanks to the 7-speed DSG. Skoda has priced the Rapid Elegance at Rs.10,84,324 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the Elegance Black package at 10,97,424 (ex-showroom, Delhi) which is very competitive when compared to other vehicles in the segment and what they have to offer. One of the drawbacks is the cabin insulation which does feel a bit noisy. The new Skoda Rapid is a fun, sporty and practical car to drive. Do not over look this as an option if you are planning to buy a vehicle in this segment.