[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by lalittalwar

oooooo... the pricing is really close to the vento. now it will be a feature shootout between the two cousins

True, Rapid does have a couple of added comfort features, but I feel Vento DSG is the better one due to the availability of ESP, Hill-hold and Leatherette seats.

[neeld]

Originally Posted by lalittalwar

oooooo... the pricing is really close to the vento. now it will be a feature shootout between the two cousins

Exactly the reason why sales are getting cannibalized by each other.

Plus also resulting in lot of confusion among prospective buyers.

[Mohan Mathew A]

Originally Posted by vb-san

True, Rapid does have a couple of added comfort features, but I feel Vento DSG is the better one due to the availability of ESP, Hill-hold and Leatherette seats.

I am shocked to see that Rapid is missing ESP. It is missing even from the list of features in the official Skoda website. ESP switch was visible in the Rapid test drive report in Overdrive

http://overdrive.in/reviews/2015-sko...a-first-drive/ (check the second to last image).

Could it be that it was removed at the last minute (after the media drive) to ensure that Vento has the upper hand (especially since vento is lacking projector lamps and cruise control)

[autotranny]

Originally Posted by vb-san

True, Rapid does have a couple of added comfort features, but I feel Vento DSG is the better one due to the availability of ESP, Hill-hold and Leatherette seats.

End of the day, it will boil down to which of them has a lesser waiting period. With Vento, the previous TSI booking experience was not very pleasant for most people.

[lalittalwar]

Originally Posted by vb-san

True, Rapid does have a couple of added comfort features, but I feel Vento DSG is the better one due to the availability of ESP, Hill-hold and Leatherette seats.

ESP and Hill hold will be there for the DSG variants

Originally Posted by neeld

Exactly the reason why sales are getting cannibalized by each other.

Plus also resulting in lot of confusion among prospective buyers.

it will also come down to the looks of the cars. Some may prefer the slightly more understated Vento while others may go for the moustached Rapid (never liked it). They should have launched the new rapid with the european facia. that would have looked cool.

[Horizon81]

Originally Posted by Mohan Mathew A

Could it be that it was removed at the last minute (after the media drive) to ensure that Vento has the upper hand (especially since vento is lacking projector lamps and cruise control)

It does seem to be there in the pictures(next to "card") in the official site. Though there is no mention of ESP in the feature set.

[lalittalwar]

Originally Posted by Horizon81

It does seem to be there in the pictures(next to "card") in the official site. Though there is no mention of ESP in the feature set.

The switch is the Traction control system switch.

so let us evaluate

1. TCS seems to be there, looking at the switch, but not mentioned in the brochure
2. ABS is there mentioned in the brochure
3. Brake Assist is there mentioned in the brochure
4. XDS should be there (i assumed)

that completes the ESP for cars in the rapid league for VAG.

so, skoda have just gone to say that they have ESP in a round about manner.

[Vid6639]

The prices are not that great. The Rapid has gone up in prices. Earlier the Rapid used to be priced below the Vento by almost 50-60 grand. Now the delta is only around 10K.

Regarding the ESP and hill hold. They will be there even if not mentioned as it's tied to the gearbox. If you have the DSG you need the BCM (Body control module) with these features. Even the lower trim with DSG will have it.

Now looking at the features. The Vento costs 10K more and gets leatherette seats, 4 parking sensors and has the perception of a more premium brand vs the Skoda. IF you look at it the pricing seems off.

[S2!!!]

Skoda has launched the Rapid powered by a new 1.5 litre diesel engine (the same unit present on the Vento and Polo). This 1498cc unit replaces the older 1.6L diesel motor; however it produces identical power and torque figures - 104 bhp @ 4400 RPM and 250 Nm @ 1500-2500 RPM. Skoda now offers a choice between a 7-speed DSG and a 5-speed manual gearbox; the DSG option shall be available in two trim variants - Ambition+ and Elegance. The ARAI figure for this engine is 21.14 kmpl on the manual and surprisingly 21.66 kmpl with the DSG unit.

The petrol engine in the Rapid remains unchanged - 1.6L MPI unit produces 104 bhp and 153 Nm of torque; mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission (Ambition+ and Elegance trim only). ARAI rating for this motor is at 15 kmpl and 14.3 kmpl for the manual and automatic unit respectively.

Interiors of the Rapid remain unchanged; however, cruise control and rear parking sensors have been added to the list of equipment.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Rapid are as follows:
1.6L + 5MT: Rs.7.22 - Rs.8.72 lakhs
1.6L + 6AT: Rs.9.14 - Rs.9.68 lakhs
1.5L + 5MT: Rs.8.38 - Rs.9.74 lakhs
1.5L+ 7DSG: Rs.10.34 - Rs.10.84 lakhs

Additionally, Skoda offers a Black Package at approximately Rs.13,000 above the Elegance trim which includes a black front grill, smoked headlamps, black alloy wheels and black fog lamp bezels. This package is available only with Candy White and Brilliant Silver; other colours on offer are Cappuccino Beige, Toffee Brown (expected in November), Flash Red and Deep Black Pearl.

@Vid6639
There is no mention of the Hill Hold or ESP function in their brochure as well. I don't think Skoda would silently offer such features which give the Rapid a definite competitive edge.

[JayD]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

The prices are not that great. The Rapid has gone up in prices. Earlier the Rapid used to be priced below the Vento by almost 50-60 grand. Now the delta is only around 10K.

Now looking at the features. The Vento costs 10K more and gets leatherette seats, 4 parking sensors and has the perception of a more premium brand vs the Skoda. IF you look at it the pricing seems off.

Don't forget the cruise control and projectors on the Rapid. Both of which are missing in the vento surprisingly!

[bhaskaracs]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

The prices are not that great. The Rapid has gone up in prices. Earlier the Rapid used to be priced below the Vento by almost 50-60 grand. Now the delta is only around 10K.

Regarding the ESP and hill hold. They will be there even if not mentioned as it's tied to the gearbox. If you have the DSG you need the BCM (Body control module) with these features. Even the lower trim with DSG will have it.

Now looking at the features. The Vento costs 10K more and gets leatherette seats, 4 parking sensors and has the perception of a more premium brand vs the Skoda. IF you look at it the pricing seems off.

Unsure how much they contribute to the price differential, but we should consider fact that Rapid has projector head lamps and Cruise control. I think we are about to witness a fundamental positioning shift in these two brands which is likely to grow wider as their completely refurbished models appear in 2015.

[Vipin Kumar]

The black edition is really stunning and tempting, by looks. I am going to ask for a test drive.

Something that I have observed: the black edition shows black sun visors on windows, but it is not mentioned in the "black package". So, will it be an additional fixing?

I find tinted windows as standard. So, no sun film required! A blessing if it is good enough. I don't think many cars in India come with tinted glasses on the windows.

The black alloy is not the 16 inches one! It is 15 inches only. A disappointment.

Hope there is cruise control in the manual transmission "elegance" too.

I expected a touch-screen music system such as blaupunkt, with GPS and reverse camera. Will it be too much of a cost to replace the stock one with a system such as this?

And, finally, I hope the Euro-spec Rapid is not coming. Or is a grille change on the pipeline? Otherwise, this has everything. Even the instrument panel has shed its old greenish backlight! It is that new one!

Vipin.

[satyaanveshi]

ESP for the diesel AT (DSG) is now mentioned on the Skoda website.

[speedemon]

With launch of refreshed Rapid only change evident it DSG does it make sense to buy 1.6TDI MT stock at discount to the tune of 1lac by dealers or 1.5TDI MT would be better?

I was hoping new Rapid will come with European front inline with Skoda's new design lines but that didnt happened.

[GTO]

A clarification by the 'bald guy'

Originally Posted by Horizon81

Well, they did not mention about ESP

The Rapid does have ESP (Skoda calls it ESC). Guess only the Elegance trim offers it.

electrically foldable ORVMs

They're actually electrically adjustable ORVMs, not folding.