[.anshuman]

The Skoda Rapid DSG has been launched in India at a price of between Rs. 10.34 - 10.97 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

What you'll like:

• Smooth & convenient 7-Speed DSG Automatic. Lightning fast upshifts
• Competent 1.5L diesel engine. Good driveability & performance
• Safety kit: ESC (electronic stability control), hill-hold function, ABS & dual airbags
• An automatic that provides excellent fuel economy too
• European build quality is more solid than most competitors
• Mature suspension. Balanced ride & handling package
• Features such as projector headlamps, rake & reach steering, cruise control, adjustable driver armrest, rear air-con etc.

What you won't:

• Long-term reliability concerns over the DQ200 DSG transmission
• 1.5L TDI is loud & gruffy at high rpm. Not as explosive as the outgoing 1.6L TDI either
• Tall rear floor hump makes the Rapid more suited as a 4 seater, than 5
• This model is now among the oldest from the C2 sedan segment. Fresher alternatives are available
• No styling changes. It's the last car to retain Skoda's earlier design language
• Rapid doesn't get the 1.2L TSI engine from the Vento. Lacklustre 1.6L MPI continues
• Skoda’s ill-famed after sales service & dealer network

[.anshuman]

Since the Skoda Rapid has already been reviewed by Team-BHP, this report will only focus on changes made to the 2014 DSG Diesel. For easy reference, here are direct links to the complete Skoda Rapid road-test:

Exterior Design & Build Quality

Interior design, space, practicality & features

Engine, gearbox, suspension & on-road behaviour

Other Pertinent Points

The Smaller yet Significant Things

[.anshuman]

For the longest time, the only million rupee cars offering a diesel + automatic gearbox combo were the Hyundai Verna & Mahindra Scorpio. This dearth of diesel automatics is absurd as they make a lot of sense in India! Our densely populated cities provide just the kind of driving conditions that automatic gearboxes are meant for. Importantly, unlike petrol automatics, diesel automatics are actually fuel-efficient too, thus offering the best of both worlds. So far in 2014, we've seen the launch of 3 new diesel ATs; the Zest, Vento DSG and now, the Rapid DSG. We can't figure out why the VAG-Group took so long to introduce this combination as they pretty much had the engine & gearbox ready all the time.

Team-BHP broke the scoop on the Vento / Rapid Diesel DSG at this link.

The 2014 Skoda Rapid gets a new 1.5L TDI engine, which is essentially a downsized version of the earlier 1.6L motor. It has a slightly smaller bore (difference of 2.5 mm), yet the power ratings are identical @ 104 BHP (4,400 rpm) and 250 Nm peak torque (1,500 - 2,500 rpm). Keeping the engine size below 1.5L gives the VAG-Group excise duty benefits, although the difference for the Vento / Rapid isn't as much as it is for the sub-4 meter Polo (related post). Speaking of the Polo, it is also powered by the same 1.5L diesel now. The Polo's regular variants get a lower 89 BHP state of tune, while the top-end GT TDI has this 104 BHP version under its hood. Sharing the 1.5L diesel across the model range gives the VAG-Group a cost advantage due to economies of scale. Changing the state of tune for different models requires only a simple tweak to the ECU. VW's consolidation of the engine & transmission line up is probably a good thing as it has offered an unusually large range so far (related thread).

The big news with the 2014 Rapid isn't the 1.5L diesel as much as the DSG automatic gearbox is. The transmission on offer is the familiar DQ200 7-speed DSG, and not the 6-speed DQ250 used with bigger diesels like the Octavia, Jetta & Superb. This dry-clutch type DQ200 is mated with smaller engines that develop up to 250 Nm torque...the exact torque rating of the Rapid (the wet-type 6-speed DQ250 can handle more torque). Since this is the max torque that the DQ200 is friendly with, we advise Rapid / Vento DSG owners to avoid aftermarket performance remaps.

VW & Skoda have previously used the DQ200 only for their petrol cars. The advantage of this transmission is the additional gear ratio which brings better fuel economy, especially on the highway. Consider the ARAI fuel efficiency figures - the Rapid DSG's rating of 21.66 kpl is higher than even the Rapid MT's 21.14 kpl. As an owner of a Laura DSG, I can assure you that the fuel economy difference will be more in heavy traffic conditions where frequent gear shifting is required. Unlike an MT which requires a lot of skill to get high kpl figures, the DSG only needs light accelerator input to deliver jaw-dropping fuel efficiency. It shifts up really quickly with a sedate driver behind the wheel.

The single downside - and a big one - to this brilliant gearbox is its long term reliability (or lack of). Several owners of DSG cars have found themselves stranded by the roadside due to a malfunctioning transmission. The problems aren't specific to India either. The issue got so big internationally that VW was forced to conduct a recall in China (related discussion). Potential owners of the Rapid / Vento DSG won't be happy to know that the 7-speed DQ200 has proven more troublesome than the 6-speed DQ250. Not that the DQ250 hasn't suffered its share of breakdowns, but it's definitely more robust than the DQ200. Skoda & VW claim that they've fixed the reliability issues by switching from synthetic to mineral oil, software updates & some component changes. Well, we still have our concerns. Until Team-BHP has ownership reports of the 2013-2014 DSG cars covering 75,000 - 100,000 kms without breakdowns, we remain cautious and reserve our judgement. The VAG-Group offers a 10 year warranty on the DSG in some countries. Sadly, it's not the case in India!! WHY? Skoda is giving a 2 year unlimited kms warranty on the Rapid. We'd highly recommend the optional 'Skoda Shield' package that covers you up to 4 years / 100,000 kms. From time to time, the company does offer 5 year packages, so keep an eye out for those (related thread).

The DSG is offered in two trim levels, the Ambition Plus & Elegance. Both variants get ESC (electronic stability control), hill hold functionality, ABS, dual airbags, cruise control & rear parking sensors. Among other additions, the Elegance variant gets projector headlamps, alloy wheels, climate control & a nifty lever to adjust the front passenger seat from the rear. The ex-showroom price difference between the DSG & manual gearbox is about Rs. 1.1 lakh. That said, let's not forget that the Rapid MT has seen dealer discounts of Rs. 50,000 - 100,000 (depending on the variant). Thus, the actual premium is higher, at least until the DSG also comes under the discount umbrella.

In what is a refreshing differentiator for the segment, the Rapid Elegance is being offered in a 'black edition'. Rs. 13,000 gets you blackened headlamps, foglamp surrounds, radiator grille + lip, ORVMs & alloy wheels. If you wish, a black roof & door strips can be added at the dealer level. The 'black edition' is only available with the white & silver body colours. We feel it would look fabulous on black as well (all-black, something like this?). It'll be made available on the 'champagne beige' in December. Other than the black edition, Skoda is also rolling out a new shade called 'toffee brown'.

Despite the all-rounded competent sedans that the Rapid & Vento are, they've been slow sellers for a while. Sales have remained merely in the 3-digits for most of 2014. It's been 4 years since the Vento was launched and the two are getting hammered by fresher competition (City, Verna, Ciaz etc.). The VAG-Group's after sales reputation is poor; this is especially true for Skoda. The inevitable cannibalisation between the two also affects their individual sales. VW launched the Vento Diesel DSG just a day earlier than the Rapid DSG. They are now priced at the same level, unlike earlier times when the Rapid was positioned lower. Other than the front-end looks, there are minor feature differences between the two.

Rs. 13,000 extra gets you this sweet looking 'Black Edition'. The projector headlamps, radiator grille + lip and foglamp surrounds are blackened:


No engine or transmission badges at the rear. 3 reverse parking sensors:


You can add a black roof & door strips at the dealer level:


Awesome projector headlamps. Also notice the shiny black foglamp surround here:


Black 12-spoke wheels:


Glossy black ORVMs too. D1 segment cars like the Octavia (parked behind) will most certainly feel the heat from the million-rupee diesel automatics. Related thread:


A look at the regular (non-blackened) Rapid. No changes to the exterior styling. Projector headlamps were introduced sometime back:


Smart-looking 5-spoke 15" rims are a new design. 15" size is now standard across the range (lower variants wear 15" steel wheels):


A parting shot:

[.anshuman]

So, what's new on the inside?

The interiors remain largely the same, except for a couple of small changes:


Sweet steering wheel is similar to the Yeti's. With rake + reach adjustment and the spot-on ergonomics, the driver's seat is a comfortable place to be in:


Steering-mounted controls exude quality:


MID functions are similar to the outgoing car. Backlight is now in white (it was earlier green):


Gear indicator on the MID's top right. S1 (Sport mode, 1st gear) currently selected:


Cruise control for those expressway journeys. More useful with an automatic tranny than a manual:


The big news with the 2014 Rapid. DSG gear lever is lifted from the Octavia parts bin:


Head-unit now offers Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming. Further, the system can be controlled via iOS / Android smartphone apps:


Card holder for those parking slips & toll tickets. The switch next to it is to deactivate ASR / traction control. Other than when starting off on snow (unlikely in India), don't touch this button:


Warning sign on the speedometer lights up if you switch ASR / traction control off:


No dead pedal, yet enough space for your left foot to relax:


Height-adjustable driver armrest is the perfect place for your left arm to chill, while the DSG goes about its work:


Projector headlamps work well. Seen here is the low beam...


...and high beam:

[.anshuman]

1.5L TDI has the exact same power rating as the outgoing 1.6L TDI. 104 BHP (4,400 rpm) and 250 Nm peak torque (1,500 - 2,500 rpm):


To my ears, the new 1.5L TDI felt slightly quieter inside the cabin than the old 1.6L TDI. However, on the outside, they sound exactly the same (including that clattery idle)! In terms of overall refinement, the Verna and Fiesta are noticeably better. Revv the 1.5L TDI hard and that trademark crudeness becomes evident. Yes, the Rapid is quite loud at high rpms and it's not as revv-happy / explosive as the earlier 1.6L either.

The DSG's gearshift action felt smoother, quicker & more seamless than my Laura's DSG (DQ250 6-speed). With 'D' mode selected and light accelerator input, the DSG quickly moves up the first few gears. It upshifts quickly to maximise fuel economy. The DSG manages to do this with a level of precision & speed that no MT driver can match. The only way to make out the upshifts is a change in the engine note; passengers won't even notice them happening. Because the DSG doesn't multiply torque (like a conventional torque converter automatic), you feel a slight lag / weakness initially (lower side of 1400 rpm). Drive past it in 1st gear and the DSG ensures that you don't fall back into the lag zone. The 1.5 TDI's power delivery is more linear than the 1.6, while the gearshift quality is butter-smooth in D mode; these two factors greatly elevate comfort levels for passengers. Because it upshifts early, engine noise levels are also controlled if there is a sedate driver behind the wheel. The TDI's inherent torque ensures that the DSG doesn't downshift as much as some other automatics do. All of this makes it an incredibly relaxed driving experience within the city. Further, fuel-economy will be a strong point of the TDI + DSG combination...easily to a level that petrol automatics can only dream about.

The Rapid DSG has sufficient performance on tap for the open road. This dual-clutch tranny can upshift quicker than a manual transmission with Lewis Hamilton's hand on it! What's more, the Rapid DSG has no weight disadvantage to the manual (as traditional torque converter ATs do). In fact, it's 18 kilos lighter! The sedan is quick in a straight line and never feels underpowered. 'D' mode and being right in the middle of the revv-range is where the TDI + DSG combo shines. When overtaking in kickdown mode, the gearbox makes the engine run to the redline, with blazing fast upshifts too. The Rapid can be an excellent long-distance tourer. Its 7th gear ensures that the engine is ticking over lazily at cruising speeds. The oodles of torque available and well-chosen gear ratios offer an unmatched combination of performance & fuel economy.

As competent as the DSG is, downshifts can get slow at times. It simply can't drop gears anywhere as quickly as it can upshift. That 0.5 second lag is an annoying reality about any dual-clutch transmission. You'll definitely feel it when driving hard on your favourite stretch of tarmac.

Shift the DSG into 'S' mode and upshifts will take place at higher rpms. Here, the Rapid holds on to a gear for longer, is more eager to downshift and keeps the engine on the boil. Not only do the shifts happen faster, the gearbox even responds to the slightest throttle input. Good thing is, in S mode, the DSG doesn't blindly hold gears till the redline. It'll upshift in the mid-rpm range when not driven too aggressively, going to the redline only when you've pinned the accelerator to the floor. However, the 1.5L TDI doesn't feel as revv happy as the earlier 1.6. It also gets loud at higher rpms. 'S' mode is definitely not as enjoyable with diesels as it is with petrols. For most driving conditions, you'll definitely prefer the regular 'D' mode instead ('S' mode is too aggressive for your daily commute to work). That said, when you require engine braking (e.g. driving downhill), "S" mode is a superior choice. "S" mode is also preferred when driving hard on a typical Indian highway, with varying speeds & traffic density.

The DSG gear lever has a standard Tiptronic layout. Simply move the lever to the left to activate 'manual' mode. Pushing the lever forward triggers an upshift, while pulling it back makes the DSG downshift. In Tiptronic mode, you can take the revvs beyond 5,000 rpm, after which it upshifts. Conversely, if the rpm drops too low in any gear, the gearbox automatically downshifts to avoid engine stalling. Manual mode is useful to bring the engine into its power band & prepare the car before overtaking. It can be fun, although most of you will prefer letting the gearbox do its work automatically. Let me warn you, this mode isn't anywhere as engaging / involving as a proper manual transmission. It does feel disconnected...like in a video game. No, the Rapid DSG doesn't get paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel. Even the twice-as-expensive Octavia doesn't.

I took a spin in the Rapid MT too. Other than the different engine characteristics discussed above, there's not much that has changed. It's the same gearbox, the same clutch and the same vibrations felt on the pedal. Apart from the slightly more gradual power delivery in the mid-range, the engine feels similar to the old 1.6 TDI. Once past the 3000 rpm mark, the motor keeps pulling well all the way till 4,200 rpm, where it starts losing its punch. Past 3000 rpm, it gets loud and clattery too. The choice of gear ratios is apt and gives the Rapid a good mix of driveability and outright performance. Still, I personally find the TDI + DSG combination to be superior, as it harnesses the narrow power band of the diesel motor better.

I'm extremely surprised that the Polo / Vento 1.2L TSI motor hasn't been introduced in the updated Rapid. The petrol variant continues with the same lacklustre 1.6L MPI engine. It's nowhere as impressive as the 1.2L TSI, or the 1.5L TDI.

Disclaimer: Skoda invited Team-BHP for the Rapid test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Official Reviews. Thanks for sharing, rating review a well-deserved 5 stars!

[lalittalwar]

Great review Anshuman and quite insightful too I would assume that the review for Vento DSG in terms of engine and gearbox combo will be same.

[harsh.m06]

Great review! I was a bit disappointed by the fact that the 1.5 tdi motor is not as good as the 1.6 tdi. Being a vento owner, I know how good this engine is!

The much needed dsg is finally introduced and it will appeal to a lot of enthusiast buyers.

It has been 3 years since I bought the vento and it has been a delight to drive. There are a few niggles that are really disappointing but other than that, its a superior product in its class

[tbppjpr]

Thanks for the review, TDI-DSG review was long awaited.

Loved the 5 spoke alloy wheel design.

But why they chosen that weird tyre design? The sidewall is too flashy and spoiling the otherwise elegant looks of the car.

[nakul0888]

Finally I have come across a mainstream manufacturer with a styling department that actually has some taste (besides FIAT of course!). IMO this chrome thing seriously needs to stop or it has to be done properly and tastefully like in the punto evo. I do hope the black treatment gets popular in our market, makes the cars look more sinister especially in err black!!

As for this new Rapid DSG? Well even though I had a sour experience with skoda, I do admit that they make good cars. I hope they have fixed the bugs with the DQ200, else this is going to be a catastrophy. At this price level what everybody wants is an everyday reliable workhorse not a sick one stranded on the side of the road.

They say the single most effective weapon of a sales person is not his skill but an extremely good product. So its really a shame to see Lineas/Vento/Rapid selling in 3 digit figures. Its about time these guys got their act together.

Oh and five star for the thread

[Gannu_1]

Card holder for those parking slips & toll tickets.

Cheap is the word! But why? When the Fabia, Octavia, Laura, Yeti and Superb all get a neat transparent plastic flap tucked between the windshield and the A-pillar on the driver side, why not use the same part?



That said, kudos to Skoda for providing cruise control on the facelift. That and the halogen projectors gives it an edge over the facelifted Vento.

Great review Anshuman.

[freakmuzik]

Awesome, crisp review Anshuman! So the options for an Automatic, that too a Diesel Automatic sedan is increasing steadily (Verna, zest and now Vento and Rapid). Though the changes in the looks department of the "black edition" does improve the appeal, the competition has moved a lot for these two European cars to match. Its understated looks are still great but when you think of the other cars, this understatement looks a generation old to me. I wish they improve the looks to something like how they've designed the Octavia (skoda) and the 2015 passat(VW)! And regarding the DSG issues, only a stronger legislation and consumer rights can help on such issues against such MNC's which are least bothered to address consumer grievances.

Cheers!

[lalittalwar]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Cheap is the word! But why? When the Fabia, Octavia, Laura, Yeti and Superb all get a neat transparent plastic flap tucked between the windshield and the A-pillar on the driver side, why not use the same part?

Attachment 1299278

That said, kudos to Skoda for providing cruise control on the facelift. That and the halogen projectors gives it an edge over the facelifted Vento.

Great review Anshuman.

that is useful mostly in Europe, North america, etc where you have to take the parking ticket from the meter and display it for any inspector who comes along to check if you are still within the time you have requested the parking ticket for (2 hours, 3 hours etc). So, they have to put the ticket holder on windshield. In India it is not required, hence a more convenient location.

[rashreddy]

When they have taken so much effort and released an All Black edition, I simply cannot understand why they have not changed the interiors also to an All Black theme.

Skoda has clearly missed a trick here. These Beige interiors look tame and girly compared to the agressive Black Alloys,Headlamps,etc.

Black seats with Red stiching ala Punto and black Panels would have looked amazing. Hope Skoda realises and rectifies this soon

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by lalittalwar

In India it is not required, hence a more convenient location.

You did not get my point.

The transparent flap is given on the rest of the Skoda cars sold in India. Why leave the Rapid out and provide this cheap holder that juts out of an otherwise clean central console.