Skoda Rapid was first launched in India in 2011. The sedan has always been one of the major sales contributors for the Czech automaker in the country. According to fresh media reports, the company is planning to discontinue the Rapid sedan and replace it with a new model (Skoda Slavia). In December 2020, Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service & Marketing at Skoda Auto India, had revealed that the new-generation Rapid won’t come to India. The company is working on a bigger sedan that will be designed on the brand’s India-specific MQB AO IN platform. The same architecture will underpin the upcoming Skoda Kushaq mid-size SUV.
Recently a tweeter user asked Zac Holis about Skoda’s plans to launch 2021 Rapid, to which he replied that the company doesn’t have any plans to launch a new Rapid. Another user asked if the company will discontinue the model and if the existing users would get the spare parts support. He replied “the end of production has not been agreed yet. We will continue to supply parts for at least 15 years after end of production”.
We will not launch a new Rapid. We will unveil at the end of the year a new mid sized sedan that will be positioned above the current Rapid.
— Zac Hollis (@Zac_Hollis_) June 20, 2021
The end of production has not been agreed yet. We will continue to supply parts for at least 15 years after end of production.
— Zac Hollis (@Zac_Hollis_) June 22, 2021
The new Skoda bigger sedan is currently under its testing phase and caught on camera multiple times. The spy pictures reveal that the most of its design elements will be similar to the Russia-spec Rapid. The front fascia will be adorned by Skoda’s signature grille, projector headlamps, halogen turn indicators, sporty bumper and fog lamp assembly. The rear section could be inspired by the newly-launched Octavia. The new Skoda Slavia is likely to share features with the upcoming Kushaq SUV. It will come equipped with Skoda’s new two-spoke steering wheel and a sunroof.
Engine details of the new Skoda Slavia are still under the wraps. Though, it’s reported to be offered with 1.0L TSI turbo and 1.5L TSI turbo petrol engines delivering power worth 113bhp with 175Nm and 147bhp with 250Nm respectively. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer.
