Next-Gen Rapid To Get A New Name; Launch In 2021

While the new sedan will replace the current Rapid, it won’t bear the same name. The confirmation comes from Skoda’s Director of Sales, Service and Marketing, Zach Hollis, as he replied on his Twitter account saying, “We will not have a new Rapid for India. At the end of next year we will launch a new mugger Sedan, based on the new MQB AO platform.”

MQB A0-IN is the same platform that will underpin the upcoming Skoda Vision IN-based SUV and other new cars like the Volkswagen Taigun and the next-gen Vento. While it is too soon to say anything about the design of the Rapid replacement, we expect it to look similar to bigger Skoda sedans, like the next-gen Octavia and the Superb. 

Under the hood, the new Skoda sedan will get a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine that makes 110PS and 175Nm mated to either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

Expect the car to be loaded on the features front as well. It is expected to get features like up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, hill launch assist, auto AC, auto-dimming IRVM, LED headlamps, connected features, sunroof, digital instrument cluster, wireless mobile charger and a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The new Skoda sedan is expected to go on sale by the end of 2021. It is expected to be priced at a premium over the current model which retails from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 13.29 lakh (ex-showroom India). It will continue to rival the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Ciaz, Toyota Yaris and the upcoming next-gen Vento.