സ്കോഡ റാപിഡ് 2014-2016 1.6 MPI Elegance Black Package

After weeks of speculation, Skoda India has officially introduced the refurbished version of its premium sedan, Rapid in the automobile market. It is also being offered with an exclusive 'Black Package' for its Elegance variants. This package includes several styling features like smoked headlamps, radiator grille, 'Bold alloy wheels, refined ORVMs and door visors. All these exterior features are garnished with high-gloss black, which adds to its elegance. In addition to these, it is also offering stylish body decals, which distinguishes its exclusiveness. This sedan is available in numerous trim levels among which, Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Elegance Black Package is one of their top end variants. It is powered by a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engine that is mated with a five speed manual transmission gearbox. This trim is packed with several advanced features including climatronic automatic air conditioning system including two knee level adjustable AC vents, which keeps the cabin cool. Now, the car maker is also offering an advanced cruise control system along with co-passenger seat adjustment from rear, which further adds to the convenience. However, it retains all the safety features including airbags, engine immobilizer with floating code system and security code for audio unit.

Exteriors:

The car maker has bestowed this trim with an exclusive black package, which includes several eye-catching aspects. Its front facade has a signature radiator grille, which is now treated with high-gloss black and is embedded with company's logo. It is surrounded by a large smoked headlight cluster that has projector headlamps. In addition to this, the air dam and fog lamp console in the bumper too gets a lot of black inserts, which gives it a sporty appeal. The side profile is now decorated with stylish body graphics and door visors that adds to its elegance. Furthermore, the car maker has also garnished its window frames, B pillars and ORVM caps with high gloss black. The rear profile looks mostly identical to its earlier version as there are no updates given to this facet. Its taillight cluster has C-shaped design and is equipped with high intensity brake light and turn indicators along with courtesy lamps. While the tailgate has the signature triangular design embedded with prominent company's badge and chrome inserts. This sedan has a total length of 4386mm along with a decent width of 1699mm and an overall height of 1466mm. It has a ground clearance of just 168mm but the wheelbase is quite long with 2552mm.

Interiors:

This Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Elegance Black Package trim has an attractive internal cabin with a slightly improved color scheme. The design of its interiors remains to be same as its predecessor, but the new three-spoke steering wheel brings a refined look to the cabin. It has a lot of chrome inserts and is equipped with multi-functional switches. On the other hand, its co-passenger's seat can be adjusted from rear with just a push of a lever, which helps to increase leg room. Its ergonomically designed seats have headrests and are covered with premium Ivory fabric upholstery. The main highlight of the interiors is its attractive dashboard that is equipped with features like an AC unit, music system and a large glove box. It also has an attractive instrument cluster with multi-functional screen that displays traveling time, average speed, immediate consumption, distance traveled and outside temperature. Apart from these, there are several utility aspects given inside like accessory power socket, front sun visors, vanity mirror and foldable roof handles.

Engine and Performance:

This sedan is powered by the same 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine that has liquid cooling system. This naturally aspirated engine is based on a DOHC valve configuration with 4-cylinders and 16-valves that displaces 1598cc. This power plant can unleash a maximum power of 103.56bhp at 5250rpm and can generate a commanding torque output of 153Nm at just 3800rpm. This power plant is mated with a 5-speed fully synchronized manual transmission gearbox that allows the front wheels to extract torque output. This petrol variant can deliver a peak mileage of 15 Kmpl, which is quite satisfying.

Braking and Handling:

This sedan is integrated with an electromechanical power assisted steering system based on direct rack and pinion mechanism. It also features speed dependent control, which eventually provides excellent response depending upon speed condition. The car maker has bestowed this sedan with hydraulic dual diagonal vacuum assisted braking system featuring front discs and rear drum brakes. It is also incorporated with electronic stability control and ABS with dual rate brake assist function, which augments this mechanism. The car maker has paired its front axle with McPherson strut suspension including lower triangular links and torsion stabilizer. While the rear axle is coupled with compound-link crank axle type of suspension.

Comfort Features:

This Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Elegance Black Package trim has cruise control, Climatronic automatic AC unit, power windows with one-touch operation, adjustable steering wheel and Ivory fabric upholstery. Other features include front and rear center armrest, driver's seat height adjuster, leather wrapped steering wheel, electrically adjustable external mirrors and GSM telephone preparation with Bluetooth. This top end trim is also integrated with a 2-DIN Skoda audio player featuring a large format display, which also have connectivity ports for SD card, AUX-In and AUX devices.

Safety Features:

This high end variant is bestowed with several advanced safety features like remote control operation for closing and opening of doors, comfort opening of windows and boot lid. Furthermore, it has aspects like automatic closing of doors on overrun speed, fuel supply cut-off in case of a crash, child proof locks and emergency triangle in luggage compartment. In addition to these, this trim also has advanced features like ABS with dual rate brake assist function, ESC and parktronic sensors at rear. The car maker has also incorporated airbags for front passengers, height adjustable three-point seatbelts at front and head restraints. Apart from all these, this variant has halogen projector headlamps, high level LED third brake light and front fog lights.

Pros:

1. Engine performance and acceleration is good.

2. Exclusive 'Black Package' gives a modern look to its exteriors.

Cons:

1. Lack of leather seats and navigation is a big drawback.

2. Ground clearance can be made better.