Skoda Auto India has launched its new Rapid sedan with an automatic transmission unit. The new (2020) Skoda Rapid sedan was initially introduced earlier this year with an updated 1.0-litre TSI engine, mated to a manual gearbox.
The Czech brand has now introduced the sedan with an automatic transmission, offered with a starting price of Rs 9.49 lakh, ex-showroom (Delhi). Skoda will offer the automatic transmission on five variants of the Rapid Sedan: Rider Plus, Ambition, Onyx, Style & Monte Carlo. Prices will range from Rs 9.49 lakh for the Rapid Rider Plus AT and will go up all the way to Rs 13.29 lakh for the Monte Carlo AT variant. All prices are ex-showroom (Delhi). Bookings for the 2020 Skoda Rapid TSI automatic model officially started in late-August.
The sedan can be booked either online or through any of the company dealerships across India for an amount of Rs 25,000. Skoda also announced that customers who pre-book the Rapid automatic sedan will get priority on deliveries, commencing from the 18th of September.
The new Skoda Rapid TSI automatic model will continue to be powered by the same 999cc three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. It produces 108bhp at 5500rpm and 175Nm of peak torque at 1750 – 4000rpm. The BS6-compliant engine will now come mated to a six-speed torque-converter unit. Skoda claims that the new Rapid with the automatic gearbox returns an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 16.24km/l.
The torque-converter unit is a replacement to the old DSG automatic gearbox, which was available with the BS4-compliant 1.2-litre petrol engine, previously offered on the sedan. The new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is offered on the Volkswagen Vento and the Polo GT TSI models as well.
The Skoda Rapid is an extremely popular offering in the Indian executive sedan segment. The addition of the automatic transmission will further boost interest for the sedan in the segment, allowing it to take on rivals such as the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, new Honda City, Hyundai Verna and the Volkswagen Vento.
