Skoda Rapid TSI
Okay, this isn’t the much-awaited Rider, but the most expensive Monte Carlo edition. Hear us out though, we might have exactly what you’re looking for in this review
YOU ASKED FOR A REVIEW OF the Skoda Rapid Rider, I know. I couldn’t get my hands on one, I’m sorry. However, before you flip past this story and continue reading through the reviews of the other sedans, let me remind you — the mechanical bits of the Rider are more or less the same as this Monte Carlo variant I am driving. So stick around, we’re going to tell you exactly what you want to know about the Rapid TSI.
I’m not going to get in to the styling of the Rapid. It remains largely unchanged for 2020 — the wheels are new and you get a new bootlip spoiler. Radical. On this Monte Carlo edition, there are a few subtle tweaks to make it look ‘sportier’. The grille surround is blacked out, there is a neat looking Monte Carlo badge on the B-pillar, and the roof and boot-lip spoiler are blacked out. Neat touches, I like them. On the outside, the only criticism I can level at the Rapid is the lack of LED lights. This Monte Carlo variant does get halogen projectors, with DRLs, though. The Rider, mind you, doesn’t get projectors, DRLs or fog lamps.
On the inside, you will be able to tell what’s new on this Monte Carlo variant because it does get a few tweaks. The seats themselves are comfortable and this Monte Carlo edition gets seats with red and grey accents on them, with an all-black dash. The dash is familiar too, with the only change here being the 8-inch infotainment screen. Now this is a screen that has been developed in India, specifically for this car and won’t be seen on any global model or any other model in India either. It
is an Android based system, with a ton of functionality — it has all the regular bits like radio and Bluetooth connectivity. You can hook your phone up to it, but you need to do so with a third-party app that you need to download on your phone. It can connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, and you can surf the internet using the Chrome app! Our test car also had the YouTube and Netflix app but they needed an update so I didn’t get a chance to test them. However, strangely, being an Androidbased system, I could also take screenshots of the screen. And that is my issue with it — it has a lot of functions that would not be out of place in a tablet but are out of place on a car’s dashboard. The interface too isn’t like what we’ve seen on Skodas before and it looks rather aftermarket, and not like something you would expect from an OEM.
As for the backseat, you get a comfortable bench with a good amount of support. Space is adequate in terms of knee room and headroom. In terms of creature comforts, it gets sunblinds that have to be manually installed and removed which will be a boon in our hot summers, and two cushions with ‘Monte Carlo’ embossed on them — a nice touch, though you might want to throw them in the boot before you head out to the hills as they slide around a fair bit when you’re really gunning it. The Rapid also gets automatic climate control as standard on all variants, and this Monte Carlo edition also gets automatic headlamps, automatic wipers and a reversing camera.
Let’s dive in to the bits you have been waiting for — the driving. Let’s get the numbers out of the way first. This new 1-litre TSI engine makes 108bhp and 175Nm, which gives it 5bhp and 20Nm more than the 1.6MPI engine it replaces. The engine, it comes mated to a six-speed manual only — there is no automatic on offer for the time being. A torque convertor, just like the one in the new Polo GT TSI should make an appearance later this year.
What’s it like on the go? It’s punchy, that’s for sure. The turbocharged engine likes to get a move on, and it hustles the Rapid with serious intent. Under 2000rpm, there is a fair bit of lag and it does feel out of breath but that is a typical characteristic of a blown engine. Once you’re in the boost though, you’re set — the