Sedans were all the rage back then until certain Psuedo-SUVs came along and changed the whole game. We had beautiful products like Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Fiat Linea, Ford Fiesta, Mitsubishi Lancer, etc. Skoda’s creation for the mass market was the Rapid, and boy was it amazing. You ever heard the words, ” You either die a hero or live long enough to watch yourself become the villain”- Harvey Dent, the Skoda Rapid is dying a hero’s death, and it sure will be missed a lot.
The Rapid first debuted in India in 2011 as Skoda’s baby sedan that didn’t cost a fortune to own. It was well-received in the Indian market and had decent sales throughout its run. Its most formidable competitors were the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna, and yet, the Rapid gave a good fight always.
Initially, it was launched with two engine options: a 1.6-liter MPI petrol motor and a 1.5-liter TDi oil burner. Their specifications were as follows:
| 2011 Skoda Rapid Engine specifications | ||
| Engine | 1.6-liter MPI Petrol | 1.5-liter TDi Diesel |
| Power | 103.5 Ps@5,200-5,250rpm | 110 Ps@4,000rpm |
| Torque | 153 Nm@3,750-3,800rpm | 250 Nm@1,500-2,500rpm |
| Fuel Efficiency | 15.4 kmpl | 21.1 kmpl |
The diesel engine was discontinued, all thanks to the BS6 emission norms, and the latest iteration of the Rapid came with a 1.0-liter TSi engine, which is similar to the one on the VW Polo. This is one peppy engine and is very enthusiastic to drive.
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Considering all the sedans from 2011, we believe the Skoda Rapid has aged well like fine wine. The design has matured, and in its latest avatar with the matte edition, it looks absolutely stunning.
The car’s ride quality has always been its USP, and although it is tuned softer for giving you a comfortable ride, it does not sacrifice a lot in the handling department. It does handle well, thanks to the well-engineered chassis that helps you push the sedan harder in corners. The electric-assisted steering is good but feels a little vague, reducing the amount of steering feedback. It’s still quite accurate and weighs well with the increase in speeds. The Rapid had a humungous boot as well that was more than enough for an entire family’s weekend outing.
The interiors are not as exciting as the ones on the Hyundai or Kia, but it has evolved well compared to its first-generation models. It does come with almost all the bells and whistles like automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment with android auto and apple carplay, etc. Even though there is generous use of hard plastics, it still looks premium.
The Skoda Rapid will be replaced by the upcoming Slavia, which will be unveiled before the end of this year. Skoda says it will be priced similar to Kushaq, which ranges from 10-17 lakh. When you compare these prices to the Skoda Rapid, we feel that Skoda should have retained the Rapid at least in the lower trims to make it an affordable sedan that many people already like.
The Skoda Rapid will definitely be missed for the value-for-money proposition it had along with the fun-to-drive experience. It was a premium sedan considering the lower asking price for this beauty, and especially in the matte edition, it is sure to make heads turn wherever it goes.
What do you think Skoda should have done to retain the Rapid, or do you believe Skoda is doing the right thing at all? Let us know in the comments below.
Somehow, Skoda seems to be messing up with their decision making recently….late entry into the Compact SUV segment with Kushaq followed by the infamous and unforgettable engine failure debacle. Now, withdrawing from the small sedan segment….Rapid, as the article rightly mentions, was possibly the most aesthetic, competitive model in the segment. A formidable foe to its peers. Classy presence and quiet performance made it the favorite of thousands of driving enthusiasts. Skoda should certainly reconsider this decision.