Skoda will launch its Volkswagen Vento competitor by the end of the year. The Fabia sedan will be known as the Rapid and will be based on the same platform as that of the Vento (codename VW250). The Rapid (codenamed SK 251) will share almost all the parts with the Vento and will thus feature the same two powertrains found on the VW. However since Skoda is not a premium brand, the company will undercut the Vento’s pricing by a significant bit. The Skoda Rapid will compete against the Maruti SX4 and the Ford Fiesta Classic. It will be priced around Rs. 7 lakhs for the petrol and Rs. 7.7 lakhs for the diesel. The Rapid’s design is based on the Vision D concept, which the company had showcased at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Rapid will be powered by a 1.6 liter petrol and a 1.6 liter diesel, both of which will develop a maximum power of 105bhp. The car will be available in three variants and will deliver a mileage of 10 kmpl (petrol) and 14 kmpl (diesel) in the city. The Rapid will also get features such as alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, audio system with steering controls and electronic adjustable rear view mirrors. Now only if Skoda up their service, they have a sure shot winner on their hands.
Spy Pictures Courtesy – VelocitiMag
