The Skoda Rapid will complete a decade of existence in 2021. Since launch, the Rapid has not received any generation update, but minor upgrades and one major facelift. it’s now overdue for a replacement that has been announced for 2021 along side a Creta-rivalling SUV as a part of its new business plan for India.
Now, Skoda India’s Director for Sales, Service and Marketing, Zac Hollis, has confirmed on Twitter that there’ll be no new Rapid for India. Instead, Skoda will launch a replacement sedan to succeed the Rapid and it’ll carry a replacement name. Skoda recently trademarked the name ‘Slavia’ which might be for the upcoming sedan.
Also, it’ll be a notchback, with a lifted and smaller tailgate just like the Octavia and therefore the Superb. The upcoming sedan are going to be supported Volkswagen Group’s new modular MQB A0 (IN) platform, which is employed globally except for the Indian market, it sees heavy localisation. a bit like Skoda, even Volkswagen will bring a replacement for the Vento in 2021.
Like all current VW-Skoda cars, the new sedan are going to be a petrol-only offering. it’ll be powered by the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that was introduced with the BS6 Rapid. This engine is capable of manufacturing 110PS and 175Nm. Transmission options could even be an equivalent 6-speed manual and 6-speed converter automatic.
The upcoming Skoda sedan will go up against the likes of the new Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento, Toyota Yaris and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. Currently, the Rapid retails from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 13.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The new sedan is predicted to demand a premium over the Rapid.