Skoda Rapid To Get 1.0L TSI Petrol Engine With DSG Gearbox In 2020

In order to opt for CNG, petrol-hybrid and electric powertrains instead, Skoda and the Volkswagen group as a whole is expected to begin dumping the TDI diesel engine across car models and brands even in the Indian market. Currently, the existing 1.6- liter petrol engine of the Rapid produces a maximum power of 105 bhp. This engine can have a 5- speed manual transmission or a 6- speed automatic transmission. So, the new 1.0 TSI engine will be more powerful than the existing 1.6 MPI unit.

According to Zac Hollis, director – sales, service, and marketing, Skoda Auto India, “We will not have a diesel in the Rapid but will replace that with a very efficient petrol engine – a 1.0-liter TSI. It is an extremely efficient engine giving a much better fuel economy than the current MPI, which has often been criticized a little for the fuel economy and efficiency. The investments in BS6 for diesel will force the price of cars to go up in the future. For a customer, it actually makes the business case for buying a diesel a lot less weak than before. In my personal opinion, the market will move more towards petrol going forward.”

The reports also suggest that the 1.0- liter TSI turbocharged petrol engine will be offered with a 7-speed twin clutch DSG automatic gearbox, along with a 6 speed manual in the Indian market. Apart from this, the same engine is also likely to make its way into the Volkswagen Vento, which is also expected to move away from the 1.6 liters naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.5 liter TDI turbo diesel. In order to receive maximum returns from the localization of this engine, the manufacturer is planning to offer it in the bestselling cars from the Volkswagen group. However, it is still unknown if the 1.2-liter TSI petrol engine, which is offered on the group’s largest selling car in the Indian market – Volkswagen Polo also gets the 1-liter TSI.

Apart from offering the 1.0- liter TSI engine in the bestselling cars of VW Group, Volkswagen and Skoda have bigger plans for this engine after 2020. Skoda is all set to launch its first compact SUV Kamiq in the Indian market in 2021. The automaker will offer the same motor with the upcoming Kamiq. Other than Kamiq, the Volkswagen T-Cross compact SUV will also get this engine in the Indian market when launched in India sometime in 2021. The Vento and Rapid replacement models in the market will also come empowered by the same 1.0L TSI engine. If it happens, then all the VW and Skoda affordable cars will come with the same 1.0- liter TSI turbocharged petrol engine. In terms of fuel, the engine will be offered with both petrol and CNG options.

In terms of pricing, the base variant of Rapid, the Active variant with the 1.6 MPI with a manual transmission, costs Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom) currently, while the top Style trim, costs Rs 12.44 lakh with the automatic transmission. The 1.0 TSI- powered Rapid is expected to be more expensive than the current one with the 1.6 MPI. Stay tuned to V3cars.com for further updates on the Skoda India’s 1.0L TSI engine.