After being completely non-existent in the entry-level C segment, Skoda India has finally launched its much awaited sedan known as the Skoda Rapid. The best thing about the Rapid is its price tag of Rs 6.75 lakh onward, bridging the gap between their popular hatch – the Fabia and the Laura – but apart from that we can’t be too happy with the design.
Although the company is offering 1.6 litre engines on both petrol and diesel version, the car still looks much like its parent company’s Vento. In fact, the similarities are uncanny. So the buyer is faced with a decision of weather they want a Skoda badge or VW badge, other than that there is no difference between both the Rapid and the Vento. An automatic transmission is also available, but unfortunately only on the petrol version. The specifications are also identical to the Vento as the 1.6 petrol offers a maximum power of 105bhp with 153Nm of torque, while the 1.6 diesel has the same power output, but higher torque at 250Nm. So what’s the point really? Skoda is owned by VW and both companies make the same car under different brands. In my book, it’s quite unnecessary to flood the market with cars like this and it would be better for the enthusiast and consumer alike to view different options. I guess companies today are more worried about grabbing market share than looking out for the customer. Lets just hope the Rapid (with its name) is not as dead as the Vento when it comes to drivability.
