Skoda to launch Rapid diesel with DSG automatic

Skoda Auto will introduce a new 1.5-litre diesel engine in its mid-sized sedan, the Rapid towards the end of the year. The 2015 MY Rapid with this new diesel engine will also get a dual clutch automatic gearbox. There will be no facelift for the car, however, but expect slightly different treatment to the interiors and some more equipment to come as standard. The steering wheel for one will change to the one we see in modern Skodas like the new Superb. This also means the 1.6-litre diesel that the Skoda Rapid currently comes with will be discontinued. The 2015 MY Skoda Rapid with the new 1.5-litre diesel will also be available with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Rapid has been Skoda’s most successful model yet in India. It is based on the Vento or the Polo platform and uses exactly the same mechanicals and drivetrains. It is sold with both petrol and diesel engines and comes with a manual and automatic option in the former. With the Volkswagen Vento having moved to a 1.2-litre direct injection petrol engine with a DSG gearbox, we expect the petrol automatic Rapid (currently powered y a 1.6-litre petrol and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic) too will move in this direction for the 2015 MY car.

The Skoda Rapid, like the Volkswagen Vento, is among the better riding and handling cars in its class and is the pick among the lot for those who enjoy driving. But, now with the launch of the new Honda City with a diesel engine, majority of buyers have gravitated towards the Honda for its brand recall and a more efficient engine. One of the reasons for the introduction of the smaller capacity 1.5-litre diesel is to extract better fuel economy. Moving to the 1.5-litre diesel engine will also give Skoda excise duty benefits for the Rapid which should help the company price the 2015 MY Rapid more competitively.

The 2015 MY Skoda Rapid with the new diesel engine and the DSG gearbox is expected to hit showrooms in October this year.