Skoda Rapid
Encyclopedia
The Škoda Rapid was a coupe designed and built by Škoda
in Czechoslovakia
between 1984 and 1990. Based on the Škoda 130/135/136 sedan, it was a replacement for the Škoda Garde
coupe built between 1981 and 1984 itself based upon the Škoda 105/120
sedan design. Some Garde/Rapid cars were sent to Ludgate Designs in Kent, United Kingdom, by Škoda to be converted into convertible
s.
Although the Škoda sedans had a poor reputation for build quality and handling throughout western Europe at the time the Rapid was significant for bucking this trend being described as "the poor mans Porsche
" following from Auto Car and Motor magazine being quoted as saying the Škoda Rapid "handles like a Porsche".
Today the Škoda Rapid is gaining in popularity as a classic car
with Garde and convertible models being most sought after. According to the website How Many Left? there were a total of 50 Skoda Rapids left on British roads in 2011.
. The cars are identical save for the grille, headlights, bumpers, taillights and some interior and exterior trim.
Skoda Rapid comes in both Petrol and Diesel variants. Both Petrol and Diesel Engine
will hold an engine capacity of 1.6L, 1598cc and will generate a bashing power of about 105 PS. The torque will be variable with respect to the engine technology used. So far less is known about the engine details of the car.
On the inside, the cabin is almost identical to its Volkswagen
counterpart, apart from the Skoda family steering wheel (which has no steering-mounted controls), instrument panel, gearlever and audio system. The model we are driving has climate control too. Finished in black, the central console, however, stands out because there is some mismatch in the design of its parts. The vents, buttons and climate control come from VW, while the audio system, with its large buttons and fonts, is clearly Skoda.
The steering is light and makes driving effortless around town. Over undulating surfaces, the ride is pretty flat and there’s none of that annoying pitching motion you get with the Vento. It has a slightly hard edge when going over larger bumps though, especially large craters, but the benefits in handling more than make up for the slight stiffness. The Rapid feels rock solid at speed; the steering gives you a reasonable amount of feel even at high speeds and the Skoda is pretty agile in corners too.
Škoda Auto
Škoda Auto , more commonly known as Škoda, is an automobile manufacturer based in the Czech Republic. Škoda became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, positioned as the entry brand to the group...
in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
between 1984 and 1990. Based on the Škoda 130/135/136 sedan, it was a replacement for the Škoda Garde
Škoda Garde
The Škoda Garde is a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car that was produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto in Kvasiny, Czechoslovakia between 1981 and 1984....
coupe built between 1981 and 1984 itself based upon the Škoda 105/120
Škoda 105/120
The Škoda 105/120/125 were three variations of a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive compact car that was produced by Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia, between 1976 and 1990; engine sizes were 1.05 and 1.2 liters respectively...
sedan design. Some Garde/Rapid cars were sent to Ludgate Designs in Kent, United Kingdom, by Škoda to be converted into convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
s.
Although the Škoda sedans had a poor reputation for build quality and handling throughout western Europe at the time the Rapid was significant for bucking this trend being described as "the poor mans Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
" following from Auto Car and Motor magazine being quoted as saying the Škoda Rapid "handles like a Porsche".
Today the Škoda Rapid is gaining in popularity as a classic car
Classic car
A classic car is an older car; the exact meaning is variable. The Classic Car Club of America maintains that a car must be between 20 and 40 years old to be a classic, while cars over 45 years fall into the Antique Class.- Classic Car Club of America :...
with Garde and convertible models being most sought after. According to the website How Many Left? there were a total of 50 Skoda Rapids left on British roads in 2011.
Revival of the Rapid name
In October 2011, Škoda resurrected the Rapid nameplate for it's badge engineered version of the Volkswagen VentoVolkswagen Vento
Volkswagen Vento is a sedan car that is being manufactured by the European manufacturer Volkswagen since 2010. It is essentially a Polo with a boot, and has been developed especially for the Indian market. However, the design has none of the quirkiness as seen in its similarly-designed...
. The cars are identical save for the grille, headlights, bumpers, taillights and some interior and exterior trim.
Skoda Rapid in India
Skoda India has officially announced that Skoda Rapid will be launched on 16 November 2011 in India. The new car Rapid which inherits the DNA from VW Vento will be on stage to unveil its lineaments.Skoda Rapid Features
As common with most of the luxury sedans of the segment, the new Skoda Rapid cover much of the broader aspects that would include a dual tone upholstery, a brightly illuminated information cluster, driver assist, centralized console, audio system, adjustable seats, headrests, armrests, tilt steering, spacious legroom and headroom and most importantly comfort at its very best. The Interiors of the new Skoda Rapid would do justice to the art of luxury and comfort and to the reputation of the Czech company. Skoda is known for the elegance it offers through stylish and sophisticated designing and craftsmanship and will surely live up to its name.Skoda Rapid comes in both Petrol and Diesel variants. Both Petrol and Diesel Engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
will hold an engine capacity of 1.6L, 1598cc and will generate a bashing power of about 105 PS. The torque will be variable with respect to the engine technology used. So far less is known about the engine details of the car.
On the inside, the cabin is almost identical to its Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
counterpart, apart from the Skoda family steering wheel (which has no steering-mounted controls), instrument panel, gearlever and audio system. The model we are driving has climate control too. Finished in black, the central console, however, stands out because there is some mismatch in the design of its parts. The vents, buttons and climate control come from VW, while the audio system, with its large buttons and fonts, is clearly Skoda.
The steering is light and makes driving effortless around town. Over undulating surfaces, the ride is pretty flat and there’s none of that annoying pitching motion you get with the Vento. It has a slightly hard edge when going over larger bumps though, especially large craters, but the benefits in handling more than make up for the slight stiffness. The Rapid feels rock solid at speed; the steering gives you a reasonable amount of feel even at high speeds and the Skoda is pretty agile in corners too.
External links
- http://www.skoda-auto.co.in/IND/Pages/homepage.aspx
- http://www.autocarindia.com/Review/278741,skoda-rapid-review-test-drive.aspx
- http://www.skodarapid.com/
- http://howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=skoda+rapid
- http://motoroids.com/news/skoda-rapid-undisguised-images-design-commentary-and-other-details.html