Car News - Latest Indian Car News & Views | CarWalehttp://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator8339<![CDATA[Skoda Rapid launch on 16th November, we review it]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8339-skoda-rapid-launch-on-16th-november-we-review-it.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8339-skoda-rapid-launch-on-16th-november-we-review-it.htmlCarWale Team11/7/2011 6:25:00 PM3848http://img.carwale.com/ec/8339/img/m/8339_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8339/img/m/8339_lSkoda will launch the Rapid on the 16th of November. The Skoda Rapid shares the platform with the Vento and comes with the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines that come on the Vento as well.

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Skoda will launch the Rapid on the 16th of November. The Skoda Rapid shares the platform with the Vento and comes with the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines that come on the Vento as well.

The Skoda Rapid will be priced below the Volkswagen Vento. To read our review, click here.

]]>8093<![CDATA[Skoda begins the production of the Rapid]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8093-skoda-begins-the-production-of-the-rapid.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8093-skoda-begins-the-production-of-the-rapid.htmlCarWale Team10/7/2011 5:22:00 PM6165http://img.carwale.com/ec/8093/img/m/8093_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8093/img/m/8093_lSkoda India began production of its new entry level sedan, the Skoda Rapid at its plant in Chakan, near Pune today. Skoda Rapid is the first car from the Skoda brand which has been designed considering Indian customers and will be exclusively manufactured in India.

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Skoda India began production of its new entry level sedan, the Skoda Rapid at its plant in Chakan, near Pune today. Skoda Rapid is the first car from the Skoda brand which has been designed considering Indian customers and will be exclusively manufactured in India.

“Today is the official Start of Production for the Indian variant of our new Rapid compact saloon. Effective immediately, the first unit of the ŠKODA Rapid will be rolling off the line in this plant. The car will be introduced in the market shortly. It is an attractive car with lots of space and room for five persons.” Prof. Dr. Winfried Vahland, Chairman of the Board of Management, ŠKODA Auto a.s. commented.

The manufacturing of the all new Skoda Rapid will take place at the Chakan plant. The car will be offered with a choice of diesel and petrol engines. The commencement of production of Skoda Rapid is in line with Skoda Auto’s 2018 growth strategy which aims to double sales globally to at least 1.5 million units.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Chacko, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, said “ŠKODA has always been an integral part of the plant in Chakan. The first car that was produced at this plant was a ŠKODA Fabia, and we are happy to roll-out the Skoda Rapid on this occasion. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Volkswagen and ŠKODA teams for this success that has been achieved as a result of their synergies.”

Skoda Rapid will be entirely manufactured in India. It will be positioned at the entry level of the country's mid-sized sedan segment. With the introduction of the Skoda Rapid, Skoda will now offer cars to suit the needs of a larger customer base in India.

]]>8064<![CDATA[Skoda to unveil the Rapid (SK251) on 7th October]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8064-skoda-to-unveil-the-rapid-sk251-on-7th-october.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8064-skoda-to-unveil-the-rapid-sk251-on-7th-october.htmlCarWale Team9/30/2011 12:13:00 PM3810http://img.carwale.com/ec/8064/img/m/8064_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8064/img/m/8064_lWe had shared the spy images of the Skoda SK251, which will be Skoda's new entry-level sedan that will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Vento. We have known the car as Lauretta or Rapid, but Skoda might rename the car as something else. Skoda will unveil and name its new sedan.

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We had shared the spy images of the Skoda SK251, which will be Skoda's new entry-level sedan that will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Vento. We have known the car as Lauretta or Rapid, but Skoda might rename the car as something else. Skoda will unveil and name its new sedan.

The Skoda SK251 is based on the extended Fabia platform and it will get the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines that even powers the Volkswagen Vento. Skoda might pull out a rabbit from the hat by pricing it more aggressively than the Vento.  Watch out this space, for more updates on this new upcoming Skoda sedan.

]]>7856<![CDATA[Skoda Rapid - SPY PICTURES and more details]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7856-skoda-rapid-spy-pictures-and-more-details.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7856-skoda-rapid-spy-pictures-and-more-details.htmlRachit Hirani8/12/2011 7:13:00 PM8687http://img.carwale.com/ec/7856/img/m/7856_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7856/img/m/7856_lAfter getting the pictures of the Maruti Suzuki RIII today morning, we get you yet another scoop of the Skoda Rapid.The Skoda Rapid is likely to be launched around this Diwali. The Rapid will be based on the Fabia and Polo platform but will sport a lot of modifications to comply with the requirements of a sedan. The car will sport a longer wheelbase than the Fabia and will also be marginally wider than the hatchback it is going to be based on. While inside the new Skoda might carry a lot of components over from the Fabia, including the instrument panel, switches and seats, it is sure to add new upholstery and colours.

]]>After getting the pictures of the Maruti Suzuki R3 today morning, we get you yet another scoop of the Skoda Rapid.The Skoda Rapid is likely to be launched around this Diwali. The Rapid will be based on the Fabia and Polo platform but will sport a lot of modifications to comply with the requirements of a sedan. The car will sport a longer wheelbase than the Fabia and will also be marginally wider than the hatchback it is going to be based on. While inside the new Skoda might carry a lot of components over from the Fabia, including the instrument panel, switches and seats, it is sure to add new upholstery and colours.

Skoda Rapid Rear Three-Fourth

 

Externally though Skoda’s new sedan will be a completely new design, which will conform with the modern Skoda look. The standard Skoda grille with the logo will take centre stage up front and certain design elements like the central bulge on the bonnet will continue to appear in the new car. The headlamps will be much larger than the ‘leaf’ design seen on the Fabia and will sport clear lens as well. The large air dam too will be a visual treat giving the new Skoda sedan a sporty accent and will be fl anked by large fog lamps.

Skoda Rapid

The front three-fourth look shows that on the new car, like in the VW Vento, the boot will not look like a bolt on job. However Skoda is going to make this a notchback like the Laura, making it more versatile than the Volkswagen. Moving on to the question of powertrains, Skoda will surely exploit the Volkswagen connection and offer the new car with both diesel and petrol engines. The maximum possibility remains that the sedan will share the 1.6-litre units already seen in the Volkswagen Vento. So expect the Skoda to offer more than 100bhp from both the petrol and diesel mills. Apart from the 5-speed manual transmission, the company might also offer an automatic version for the new car. 

Skoda Rapid

However the engine is not the only downsizing that is expected on the new car. It will also be priced a lot lower than what it used to be sold for in India. We expect Skoda to price the new Octavia at around Rs 6.5 lakh for the base variant of the petrol spec car and go up all the way to the Rs 10 lakh mark for the fully loaded version.

Skoda Rapid


If you have any scoop pictures to share, please email them to us at editorial@carwale.com and you will get full credit for your scoops.

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