It was VW’s Vento yesterday that got better equipped to take on the new Honda City and Hyundai Verna, and it was its Czech cousin’s turn today to get the same treatment. Skoda launched the Rapid sedan today with the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that does duty under the VW Polo GT TDI (and also in the new Vento now) along with the 7-speed DSG gearbox too. Like in the Vento, the new engine is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox too.
Though it’s not strictly a facelift per se, Skoda has thoughtfully given the option of adding a Black package to any of the trim levels for people who want a sporty-looking Rapid. The option pack basically gives you smoked headlamps (these really seem to be quite IN these days!), black grille with logo-lip, blackened alloys, and black outside rear view mirrors as well.
