[TusharK]

Skoda has showcased a unique 4-door convertible based on the Rapid, developed as part of the first-ever 'Student Car Project' in India. The Rapid convertible was created by students from the Group Academy's Dual Vocational Training in Mechatronics program.



As part of their project, mechatronics students from the academy converted a standard hard-top sedan into a cabriolet. Students ensured to complete the project on time and with an immaculate finish. The Rapid convertible gets a retractable Skoda badge on the bonnet with LED lip lighting, an illuminated 'Skoda' inscription on the boot lid and other sporty bits.



Inside, the car gets a touchscreen infotainment system, scarlet red leather seats and a sporty exhaust. The students also had to integrate the seatbelts into the front seat as the car doesn't have a B-pillar.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Academy's Dual Vocational Training in Mechatronics program offers a 3.5-year course that focuses on developing school leavers' talents to take up critical roles.

Link to Team-BHP News

[Karthik.guru]

The merits/demerits of convertibles in India aside, this looks C-L-E-A-N !
Though I wonder how the convertible roof works, would be interesting to see how they implemented it.

[wheelnpaddock]

Convertibles need a lot of additional strengthening to be done at the chassis level to maintain the torsional rigidity of the original car.

The loss of the sedan top + B pillar + C pillar would lead to a lot of body flex. This would affect the handling of the car. Usually convertibles are far more heavier than their sedan conterparts on account of the substantial chassis strengthening requirements.

Wonder how the guys have compensated for the lack of torsional rigidity as it involves complex calculations to ensure that the car handles true to the original. Not something that can be achieved easily outside the manufacturer level.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by wheelnpaddock

Wonder how the guys have compensated for the lack of torsional rigidity as it involves complex calculations to ensure that the car handles true to the original. Not something that can be achieved easily outside the manufacturer level.

Usually done with bracing at the bottom isn't it? cross bars or some kind of brace reinforcement.
They may or may not have done this as it could just be purely for display, proof of concept or simply a show for cosmetics.

[prabhash]

Seems to be more like an advert for their program, which is also good. This could help improve the Indian Car scenel.

[AKSarkar1]

Maybe not a convertible but VAG India should have given these kids the job to make updates to the cars from time to time, they seem to have done a splendid job with the styling and accents. I am almost certain they would have done a 10x better job than the people who were responsible for coming up with the horrendous special edition Polos/Ventos at VAG India e.g. the IPL Edition Vento.

Glad to see the next generation getting support from international companies!

[Venkatesh]

A rear shot of the convertible Rapid.





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