The Honda City has ruled the mid size sedan segment since it’s launch and has been giving it’s competition sleepless nights and a drop in sales. Plus, the newly launched Maruti Suzuki Ciaz will only make things worse. We have already revealed Volkswagen’s plans of launching an updated Vento with an automatic transmission for the diesel and now we have news that Skoda is planning something similar for it’s Rapid sedan.
The 2015 Skoda Rapid will be launched on 30th September with new engine options and would feature an updated interior package with additional equipment. The mid size sedan will be offered with a 1.5 litre diesel engine producing 104 bhp mated to a 7 speed DSG transmission. The decision to switch from a 1.6 litre diesel, as seen on the current car, to a 1.5 litre will enable Skoda to price the 2015 Skoda Rapid more competitively thanks to excise benefits on the smaller engine. Also on offer will be the 1.2 litre TSI petrol engine borrowed from the Vento in a similar state of tune.
Interestingly there is also speculation of a special edition or variant of the 2015 Skoda Rapid called the Skoda Rapid Black Edition. As evident form the spy shot the Black Edition will feature cosmetic tweaks in the form of black inserts for the projector headlamp unit, black surrounds for the grille and blackened wing mirrors. There is more “black” on offer with blackened 16 inch rims, black fog lamp inserts and possibly an all black roof which the vehicle in the spy shot does not feature.
Pricing remains a gray area for now but an official price list should be available soon. The 2015 Skoda Rapid will face tough competition form the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna, Fiat Linea, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Sunny and Scala twins and the company will be hoping the planned updates will do justice to it’s name.
