IAB Report - Skoda Rapid to get a comprehensive 'Indianized' facelift next year

Rapid to get a design overhaul next year. 

Skoda Auto India will launch the Rapid with the new 1.5-liter TDI diesel engine on September 30. Apart from the new engine and an automatic transmission for the diesel variant, the Rapid will not see major design changes later this month.

A cosmetically enhanced Rapid will launch sometime next year however. The carmaker is reported to have outsourced technical development for the refreshed Rapid to Mahindra Engineering Services to lend it Indianized touches.

Speaking to Indian Autos Blog at the launch of the refreshed Yeti, Mr. Pawel Szuflak, Director for Sales and Marketing for Skoda Auto India Private Limited, said -

It (Rapid facelift) is a long time away from now, but what is good and what is interesting from the Indian market perspective is that we decided to go ahead with some changes with the Rapid here in India. The whole process of the development, the whole construction of the design and all the items are happening here in India. But how it will look finally, and what will be seen in the car, I think its a bit early to talk about.

Also read: Refreshed Skoda Yeti launched in India at INR 18.63 lakhs

Though Indian inputs have been taken into account, the Rapid facelift is expected to somewhat resemble the European version with design elements like the wide grille, slim headlight clusters, and C-Shaped taillights.

Competitors: VW Vento, Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Fiat Linea

Expected Price: INR 7.5 - 11 lakhs, ex-Showroom

Launch date: 2015