Skoda has launched the automatic variant of the Rapid TSI with a 6-speed torque converter gearbox. Skoda Rapid AT is available right from the second-in-line Rider Plus base variant, making it the most affordable automatic sedan in its class.
After the Skoda Rapid was graced with the new 1.0L TSI engine earlier this year, the Czech carmaker has now added the convenience of an automatic gearbox to the Rapid Lineup. Skoda has launched the Rapid Automatic variant in India with its price starting from Rs 9.49 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 13.29 lakh. Skoda is offering the automatic gearbox right from the second-in-line Rider Plus base variant, making it the most affordable automatic sedan in its class. Here’s how the Skoda Rapid Automatic has been priced for each of the individual variants.
| Variants | Rapid Manual Prices | Rapid Automatic Prices |
| Rider | Rs 7.49 lakh | —– |
| Rider Plus | Rs 7.99 lakh | Rs 9.49 lakh |
| Ambition | Rs 9.99 lakh | Rs 11.29 lakh |
| Onyx | Rs 10.19 lakh | Rs 11.49 lakh |
| Style | Rs 11.49 lakh | Rs 12.99 lakh |
| Monte Carlo | Rs 11.79 lakh | Rs 13.29 lakh |
The manual Skoda Rapid 1.0L TSI is currently offered in six variants – Rider, Rider Plus, Ambition, Onyx, Style, and Monte Carlo. Skoda is offering the automatic gearbox on all variants of the Rapid except for the base Rider variant. Each of the automatic variants of the Rapid cost about Rs 1.3-1.5 lakh more than their equivalent manual variant. The Skoda Rapid AT will rival other automatic sedans in this segment which include the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Volkswagen Vento as well.
The 1.0L TSI unit under the hood of the Rapid is a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that produces 108 bhp at 5250 rpm and 175 Nm at 1750-4000 rpm. The new automatic gearbox option is a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. In fact, its the same 6-speed torque converter unit that does duty on the Volkswagen Vento 1.0L TSI. Skoda has also revealed that the Rapid automatic’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency is pegged at 16.24kpl. The 1.0L TSI engine returns a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 18.97kpl with the manual gearbox.
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Equipment levels are exactly the same as the manual Rapid. Top-spec variant of the Rapid AT have features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, electric ORVMs, LED projector headlamp with integrated LED DRLs, black ORVMs & a black roof (Monte Carlo only), trunk spoiler, rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, flat-bottom steering wheel (Monte Carlo only), automatic AC, steering wheel mounted audio controls, leather upholstery and much more. For safety, it will offer dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control and Hill Hold Control.
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The next most affordable automatic sedan in this segment is the Toyota Yaris with a starting price of Rs 9.56 lakh. It’s also worth noting that Skoda along with the Volkswagen Vento are the only two sedans with a sophisticated 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Ciaz also gets a 4-speed torque converter unit but it simply feels outdated when compared with its newer competiton. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Toyota Yaris, all come with a CVT gearbox while the Verna additionally also gets a 7-speed DCT gearbox.
