The next-gen Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento will follow the launch of the mid-size SUVs from each of the brands. The next-gen Vento will however precede the launch of the next-gen Rapid.
The current-gen Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid may be ageing cars but there’s a replacement coming in for both the sedans very soon in 2021. We now have come to know about the order in which these replacements are coming from Volkswagen and Skoda and that also includes the mid-size SUVs from both VW and Skoda as part of their India 2.0 plan. The mid-size sedans – Vento and Rapid replacements – will follow the launch of the mid-size SUVs. This is how the order looks like – Skoda Vision IN, Volkswagen Taigun, next-gen Volkswagen Vento and next-gen Skoda Rapid.
Here’s what we know about the Skoda Rapid and VW Vento Replacements
The next-gen VW Vento and Skoda rapid will both be based on the heavily localized and tailored for India, MQB-A0-IN platform. In fact, this same platform will also be underpinning the brand’s mid-size SUVs – production-spec Taigun and Vision IN. Just like the current-gen Vento and Rapid, both sedans will be identical mechanically and under the skin. However, both sedans will have their own unique identity with different exterior and interior styling.
Under the hood, the Vento and Rapid will be identical. In fact, they are expected to carry forward their current 1.0L TSI engines which produce 110hp and 175Nm of torque. Both Volkswagen and Skoda are also expected to carry forward their 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter gearboxes from the current-gen cars. The Vento and Rapid are one of the most fun to drive cars in their segment and that is expected to remain true for the next-gen cars as well.
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Skoda Auto’s global CEO, Bernhard Maier, has said that they will be pushing for as much as 95% localization to keep costs under check under their India 2.0 plan. And that holds true for the mid-size SUVs as well. Considering that VW and Skoda will be sharing platforms and engines, that should help build economies of scale as well. However, although the production-spec Taigun and Vision IN are expected to get the larger 1.5L TSI engines from the T-Roc and the Karoq, the mid-size sedans will not be graced by these engines.
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VW Group’s Future in India
Under VW group’s India 2.0 plan, there will be more models that will be developed and launched here in India. It is however not know what exactly these models will be following the mid-size SUVs and mid-size sedans. Skoda will however lead VW Group’s India 2.0 plan in India under the now merged entity that is being called Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL). This merger was an important milestone for the VW Group’s India 2.0 project
