While answering a query on social media, Zack Hollis, Skoda’s marketing director, has said that they will be launching a torque converter automatic geabox on the Skoda Rapid 1.0L TSI this September.
Skoda Auto India launched the BS6 Rapid 1.0L TSI almost about a month ago and it has already made headlines for being the cheapest compact sedan in its class. Understated, but still elegant and classy, the Skoda Rapid is one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. Currently, the Rapid has a sole powertrain option which is a 1.0L TSI engine and it comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Skoda had however promised that an automatic variant of the Rapid 1.0L TSI would be launched soon and now we know when it’s coming.
Responding to an user’s query on Facebook, Skoda Auto India’s Brand Director, Zac Hollis, has revealed the launch timeline for the Rapid automatic variant. As an answer to the query regarding the launch date of the Rapid 1.0L TSI Automatic and also about what gearbox it will be, Hollis wrote, “In September we will launch the automatic version of the new Rapid TSI. It’s a torque converter box. More details nearer the time.”
The 1.0L TSI unit under the hood of the Rapid is a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that produces 108 bhp at 5250 rpm and 175 Nm at 1750-4000 rpm. The new automatic gearbox option will be a torque converter automatic transmission as has been confirmed by Hollis on the comment above. This is possibly the same 6-speed torque converter unit that does duty on the Volkswagen Vento 1.0L TSI. However, details as to which variants it will be offered on and other add-on features will be revealed only much closer to the launch.
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The Skoda Rapid 1.0L TSI is currently offered in five variants – Rider, Ambition, Onyx, Style, and Monte Carlo. The base Rider variant makes for a great value-for-money proposition with its price of just Rs 7.49 lakh, ex-showroom. It’s not very skimmed down on features and you still get a lot for your money. Conversely, the Monte Carlo edition of the Rapid really stands out with its stylish looks and decent amount of features. Yes, Skoda cars in this segment aren’t the most feature rich but there’s enough to keep you satisfied.
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Features onboard include 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, electric ORVMs, LED projector headlamp with integrated LED DRLs, black ORVMs & a black roof (Monte Carlo only), trunk spoiler, rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, flat-bottom steering wheel (Monte Carlo only), automatic AC, steering wheel mounted audio controls, leather upholstery and much more. For safety, it will offer dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control and Hill Hold Control. The car is currently priced in India at Rs 7.49 lakh to Rs 11.79 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
