Skoda Rapid AT may be discontinued to bring in a Rapid TSI

Close on the heels of Volkswagen India hinting on discontinuing the Vento AT, it is likely that Skoda, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, may follow suit and stop production of the Rapid AT and replace it with the Rapid TSI and add a DSG gearbox.

The Rapid is heavily based on the VW Vento. So, if you have ever been inside the VW Vento, you will find the Rapid all too familiar. In the case of the discontinued Vento AT, it is being replaced with the new Vento TSI.

The Skoda Rapid is now available in four petrol, of which two are AT, and one diesel variant which is in the Elegance trim line. The Rapid AT is available in only one trim and is not known to give much more than an average performance. The petrol automatic lacks zing. There’s not much wrong with the engine; the petrol might not be as spirited as the diesel, but it isn’t a sloth either. It’s also decently refined. But, with the six-speed auto, it’s just not meant to be driven fast or hard.

By bringing in the TSI engine, like with the Vento TSI, Skoda is probably looking to use the efficiency trump card. The Rapid will then continue selling the 1.6-litre petrol variant with a manual transmission, while the Rapid TSI is likely to be sold as a premium offering. The Rapid TSI can be expected to be cheaper by Rs 20,000 than the Vento TSI which is priced at Rs 9.99 lakh.

The Rapid is competition for the likes of the Swift Dzire, the Etios and the Sunny.

Source: Overdrive