Czech automaker Skoda's Rapid sedan in India might get a new petrol engine under the hood soon. Emerging reports suggest that Volkswagen's 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine could make it to the Rapid, replacing 1.6-litre MPI naturally aspirated engine.
A report of TeamBHP says that while the 1.6-litre MPI engine in the current Rapid is likely to stay intact in the manual variants of the model, the newly rumoured 1.2-litre petrol engine would be available with automatic transmission. The 1.2-litre engine, which also does duty in Volkswagen Vento, can churn out 104bhp of power and 175Nm of torque. The new engine is speculated to come mated to seven-speed DSG gearbox.
The Rapid, which recently received a facelift in the country, gets power from 1.6-litre motor and the updated 1.5-litre diesel unit of the Ameo compact sedan. The Ameo diesel generates 108bhp at 4,000rpm and 25Nm of torque at 1,500-3,000rpm.
Other changes in the Rapid facelift includes a signature grille with chrome surrounding, newly designed front bumper with a honeycomb grille, new projector headlights, new Rear bumper, C-shaped smoked tail lights and rear spoiler. Inside the cabin, the Skoda Rapid hosts features such as dual-tone interiors, premium leather seats and door arm rest, 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with mirrorlink connectivity, height and length adjustable steering wheels, intelligent rain sensing wipers and cruise control. The new Skoda Rapid has been priced starting at Rs 8.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra).
