Skoda Rapid 2014-2016 1.6 MPI Ambition Plus

Rapid 2014-2016 1.6 MPI Ambition Plus Review

Skoda Auto India has introduced the updated version of its popular sedan, Rapid in the automobile market. It is offered with both petrol and diesel engine options for the customers to choose from. Among the several trims available, this Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Ambition Plus is a mid range variant in its model lineup. The company is offering it in a new Toffee Brown color apart from the existing Flash Red, Candy White, Cappuccino Beige, Brilliant Silver, Deep Black Pearl paint options. It has a stylish body design and includes some attractive exterior aspects. Some of these include a chrome trim on radiator grille,bright headlight cluster, body colored bumpers, door handles and a large boot lid. The spacious interiors are done up with a two tone color scheme that gives a pleasant feel to its occupants. It is blessed with an advanced music system that offers best in-car entertainment. The elegant dual tone dashboard houses a steering wheel and center console that has a new magnetic card holder. The cabin also includes rear reading spot lamps, front cup holders, sun visors, tinted windows and a manual AC unit. In terms of safety, it has automatic locking of doors, door open indicator, rough road package as well as child safety locks that enhances security of its passengers. This trim is incorporated with a 1.6-litre petrol engine that is based on a DOHC valve configuration. It is mated with a five speed manual transmission gear box and delivers a maximum mileage of 15 Kmpl on highways. This sedan faces competition from Renault Scala, Ford Fiesta, Maruti Ciaz, Honda City and a few others in the market.

Exteriors:

Its outer appearance is quite appealing and comes equipped with many notable aspects. To begin with the frontage, it has a large windshield that is fitted with a couple of intermittent wipers. The expressive lines on bonnet further gives it an appealing look. The aggressive radiator grille has vertically positioned slats as well as a chrome strip on which, the company's insignia is neatly engraved. It is surrounded by a bright headlight cluster that is integrated with halogen headlamps. Below this grille is a body colored bumper that includes an air dam and a pair of fog lamps. The side profile is designed attractively with some styling aspects like body colored outside rear view mirrors, door handles and has glossy black décor on B-pillars. Furthermore, it has a set of 15 inch steel wheels fitted to its wheel arches that have full wheel covers. These rims are equipped with high performance 185/60 R15 sized tubeless radial tyres. Its rear end features a high level LED third brake light, radiant tail light cluster and a body colored bumper. The wide windscreen has defogger with timer, while there is company's badge embossed on its boot lid. This vehicle is designed with an overall length of 4386mm, decent width of 1699mm and has a total height of 1466mm. The wheelbase of 2552mm is quite good, whereas its ground clearance comes to 168mm.

Interiors:

The internal cabin is quite spacious and is decorated with Ivory and Mocca color scheme. It offers sufficient leg as well as head room to its occupants. The cockpit includes a two tone dashboard that is fitted with a instrument cluster, center console and steering wheel with company's logo on it. The chrome decor for door handles, gear shift selector and front center console further enhances the interior look. There is high quality Ivory fabric upholstery used for covering the well cushioned seats. This variant is blessed with many utility based aspects like a magnetic card holder, cup and bottle holders, 12V power socket in center console, front sun visors, coat hook on rear roof handles and a few other such features. Furthermore, there is premium leather used for wrapping the steering wheel, hand brake lever and gear shift selector as well. In addition to these, the cabin includes tinted windows, 460 litres boot space, rear reading spot lamps, card holder, storage compartment in the center console and under front center armrest.

Engine and Performance:

This Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Ambition Plus is powered by a petrol engine that has liquid cooling system. It carries 4-cylinders, sixteen valves and has the displacement capacity of 1598cc. This double overhead camshaft valve configuration based engine is integrated with a multi point fuel injection system. It generates a peak power of 103.5bhp at 5250rpm and yields a maximum torque output of 153Nm at 3800rpm. This motor is coupled with a five speed manual transmission gear box that transmits torque output to its front wheels. This vehicle can achieve a top speed of 165 Kmph and crosses the speed barrier of 100 Kmph in around 12 seconds, which is rather impressive.

Braking and Handling:

The automaker has equipped it with a proficient suspension system that helps to maintain its stability on any road condition. Its front axle is affixed with a McPherson suspension along with lower triangular links and torsion stabilizer, while a compound link crank axle is used for the rear one. It is incorporated with a direct rack and pinion based electro mechanic power steering system. It has tilt adjustment function and supports a minimum turning radius of 10.6 meters. On the other hand, it has a hydraulic dual diagonal vacuum assisted circuit braking system , which is quite reliable. The front wheels are fitted with robust disc brakes along with a single floating caliper and the rear ones have sturdy drum brakes.

Comfort Features:

The list of comfort aspects include front passenger vanity mirror on left sun visor, cruise control, tilt steering wheel mounted with audio controls, dual air vents on rear center console and remote closing and opening of windows. The driver's seat has height adjustment facility, while there are electrically adjustable outside mirrors . It has a 2-DIN audio unit that comes along with speakers at front and rear. This system supports SD/MMC data card reader, USB, Bluetooth audio streaming and auxiliary input for portable media players. Apart from these, it has a manually operated air conditioning unit includes dust and pollen filter, front reading lamps, front and rear center armrest and a multi function display with distance traveled, average speed, clock and outside temperature display.

Safety Features:

This Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Ambition Plus trim is loaded with child proof rear door and window locking, height adjustable three point seat belts, rough road package, central locking and unlocking of doors . It also has emergency triangle in the luggage compartment, engine immobilizer with floating code system, anti-lock braking system, dual rate brake assist, dual front airbags and acoustic warning signal for overrun speed.

Pros:

1. Boot compartment is quite spacious

2. Braking mechanism is quite reliable.

Cons:

1. Lack of leather upholstery and alloy wheels.

2. Fuel economy is not up to the mark.