 "Ashutosh Dixit, Director, Sales, Service & Marketing,Skoda Auto India and Sudhir Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, Skoda Auto India at the launch of Skoda Rapid in Mumbai Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar")
Czech auto company Skoda, part of the Volkswagen Group, on Thursday introduced a refreshed variant of its compact sedan Rapid at Rs 8.27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) onwards. Rapid competes with models like Honda City, Maruti Suzuki’s Ciaz and Hyundai Verna.
Beginning at Rs 8.27 lakh, the petrol run Rapid comes in three variants, priced up to Rs 11.36 lakh. The diesel powered vehicle is priced between Rs 9.48 lakh to Rs 12.67 lakh.
Launched in 2011, volume of Rapid had come under pressure in recent years owing to entry of models like Ciaz. In the first six months of the current financial year, Skoda sold just 3,970 units of the vehicle, down over 28 per cent to corresponding period last year.
The new Rapid comes with more features and an upgraded engine. Other than exterior changes like bigger angular headlamp and more pronounced chrome outline, the interior of the vehicle has gotten a new touch screen infotainment system. Other key features include rain sensing wipers, hill-hold assist, dual airbags and ABS.
Skoda has been updating its product line up. Early this year it updated its luxury sedan—Superb. The company is also planning to bring the updated Octavia sedan to the Indian market next year.
