Skoda Rapid sedan has been removed from the company’s official website ahead of Slavia’s market arrival. Last year, the Czech automaker ended the Rapid’s production at its facility in Maharashtra. As a last hurrah to the sedan, the company introduced the Skoda Rapid Matte Edition at Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom) in October 2021. Offered with both manual and automatic gearboxes, the limited edition comes with a new paint schemes and a few extra features.
The Skoda Slavia, which will replace the Rapid in India, is ready to hit roads in the first week of March 2022. It’s the brand’s second model to underpin the heavily localized MQB-A0 IN platform. The new sedan model lineup will be spread across three trims – Active, Ambition and Style. Compared to its replacement, the Slavia is 128mm longer, 53mm wider and 21mm taller with the segment’s longest wheelbase of 2,651mm. Its overall length, width and height stand at 4541mm, 1752mm and 1487mm respectively.
Interior of the new Skoda sedan shares resemblance to the Kushaq SUV. It has a four-layer dashboard design, a piano black panel, beige glovebox and round AC vents similar to its SUV sibling. A 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system has been integrated on the dashboard supporting the latest smartphone connectivity.
Some of its key features include a full digital instrument cluster with three different themes, wireless charging pad, dedicated twin USB-C ports for the rear passengers, touch-control Climatronic with air car, rain and light sensors, cruise control, an electric sunroof. With respect to safety, the Skoda Slavia offers 6 airbags, hill hold control, electronic stability control, Isofix anchors, multi-collision brake, a tyre pressure monitor and rear view camera.
Under the hood, the new Skoda sedan will feature a 1.0L, 3-cylinder TSI petrol and a 1.5, 4-cylinder TSI petrol engine making 114bhp against 175Nm and 148bhp against 250Nm respectively. Both engines can be had either with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
