Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI Engine & Performance

The Rapid comes with an all new 1.0 litre TSI three cylinder turbo petrol engine replacing the earlier 1.6. I have to admit I felt it to be too small for my liking, but after driving it, it has totally changed my opinion. This tiny motor makes 110 horsepower and 175 Nm or torque. It does shake a bit at start up and is audible at idle just like a three pot. But things change once you start driving. There is significant lag at lower revs but the engine comes into its own as you go higher in the rev band. There is fantastic mid-range and it is fun to redline in every gear. The Rapid now gets a 6 speed manual gearbox, replacing the earlier 5 speed unit. Gear shifts are pretty light and so is the clutch. The clutch pedal does have a long travel though. A torque converter 6 speed automatic gearbox will be added to the lineup shortly. This is one a car that you would love to drive on an open road of the highway.

The suspension on the Rapid is on the stiffer side, and that results in sharp bumps filtering into the cabin. But on the handling aspect, it is very composed and is fun to put into corners. The steering has a good feel to it and is well weighted. High speed stability is impressive and that car remains planted at all times. Braking is efficient and the Rapid gets disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear.

Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI Verdict

The Skoda Rapid has always been known for its solid build quality and excellent drivability. This new engine only makes it better. The performance of the TSI begs you to drive it harder and will splash a smile on your face. On the flip side, there are many features like LED headlamps, sunroof etc. missing on the top end variants and that is quite a downer. That aside, the entry level Rider variant priced at Rs. 7.49 lakh is great value considering you get a full size sedan for the price of a premium hatchback or sub four meter sedan. So if the fun to drive factor matters to you more than a long feature list, the Skoda Rapid TSI makes for a compelling buy.

Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI photo gallery: