EXCLUSIVE: New Skoda Rapid With MQB-A0-IN Platform To Launch In 2021

Published December 4, 2019
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The 2021 Skoda Rapid will be a notchback unlike the current model which is a 3-box sedan

Note: All images in this article are for representational purposes only.

The next-gen Skoda Rapid will be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform.
It’s likely to come with the BS6-compliant 1.0-litre TSI powertrain.
The new Skoda Rapid will launch in India by the end of 2021.

The Rapid is Skoda India’s bread and butter model in the country and is known for its fun-to-drive character. But let's admit that it is starting to get a bit long in the tooth. Skoda will soon rectify that by bringing in the Rapid’s successor by the end of 2021.

This will be the first generation change for the Rapid in India. The 2021 Skoda Rapid will be radically different from the existing model. It’ll come as a notchback unlike the current car which is a proper 3-box saloon. In simpler words, it will come with a lift back tailgate a la the Skoda Octavia. So it’s safe to assume that the next-gen Rapid might look like a mini 2020 Octavia.

Underpinning the new Rapid will be the MQB-A0-IN platform, a localised version of Volkswagen’s low cost MQB-A0 platform. The MQB-A0-IN platform will debut in the midsize SUV Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is jointly developing. It’ll spawn of host of Volkswagen and Skoda cars in the country, including the new Polo and Vento.

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The next-gen Rapid will be powered by the BS6-compliant 1.0-litre TSI unit that’ll debut in the existing Rapid. Overseas, this powertrain comes in two states of tune: 95PS/175Nm and 115PS/200Nm. It’s likely that the current Rapid and its successor will utilise the 115PS tune. Skoda will offer the TSI with a manual and automatic option in the existing car as well as the 2021 Rapid. Nope, there won’t be a diesel option, at least initially as Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is planning to take the petrol-only route once BS6 emission norms kick in.

We expect further details of the next-gen Rapid at the Auto Expo 2020. When launched, the Rapid will renew its rivalry with the Volkswagen Vento, 2020 Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Hyundai Verna. Skoda is going all out and will launch five new models by 2021 starting with the Octavia RS245. Stay tuned to ZigWheels for further updates on this space.