Skoda Rapid named as brand's new sedan

The sixth model to join the Skoda line-up, Rapid, will arrive in Indian showrooms by the end of the year.

To be manufacturer in Pune (India), Rapid is an Indian-specific compact sedan aimed at developing markets, the car to eventually be sold in China, parts of Europe, India and Russia by 2013. Forming a strategic piece of Skoda’s growth strategy, the car will help drive the brand’s global sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018.

Following Fabia, Rapid is the second vehicle to be produced at the Pune plant since it was commissioned in 2009. Besides the facility in Pune, Skoda also produces vehicles at its plant in Aurangabad (India) where Octavia, Superb and Yeti are built.

Measuring 4390mm long by 1700mm wide and 1470mm high -- and with 500 litres of cargo space -- Rapid will becoming the largest vehicle in its segment on the sub-continent. Skoda says the car offers generous accommodation for five adults.

Available with 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, Rapid develops 77kW in either guise. Manual and automatic transmissions are available.

“India is the first market in which we will introduce the new Rapid. It highlights the significance of that country for our company,” emphasised Skoda Chairman, Prof. Dr. Winfried Vahland.

“We want to step on the pedal all over the world in the coming years. In order to do so, we will clearly increase our activities outside of Europe. In this context, the Indian market plays a central role, because, besides China and Russia, it is among the markets with the greatest potential.

“The new Rapid is the right car at the right time for these growth markets. It is an important step on our growth path for the coming years,” concluded Vahland.

According to expert estimates, India will rise to be among the five largest automobile markets by the end of the decade.

The Rapid is not a likely candidate for the Australian market, with MissionL, the car debuted at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, already slated for local release.