Thrust Zone is reporting that this is a Skoda Rapid powered by the 1.0-litre TSI engine on test. It is the first instance of the sedan employing one of the most widely used compact engines by the Volkswagen Group globally, in India.
The 1.0 TSI engine in question is from the same engine family as the 1.0-litre MPI engine that was introduced in the VW Polo and VW Ameo earlier this year - EA211. It’s a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit capable of delivering anywhere from 70 kW (95 PS) to 85 kW (115 PS). This 999 cc motor bagged the International Engine of the Year award in the sub 1,000 cc-class this year.
Skoda is leading the India 2.0 project into which the Volkswagen Group plans to invest some €1 billion through 2021. A part of this project is developing new petrol engines some of which will replace the 1.5-litre TDI engine employed in the current locally manufactured Volkswagens and Skodas. The new engines will include the aforementioned 1.0-litre TSI petrol unit, which the company will locally produce to ensure competitive pricing.
The Skoda Rapid is the mechanical cousin of the VW Vento. Since 2013, the VW Vento petrol is available with a turbocharged engine, the 1.2-litre TSI four-cylinder unit, albeit optionally. The Skoda Rapid petrol continues with the standard 1.6-litre MPI engine.
Also See: Next-gen Skoda Rapid for India - IAB Rendering
With the Rapid’s successor still about three years away, Skoda may have a final trick up its sleeve to rejuvenate sales, including maybe a second facelift.
[Image Source: thrustzone.com]
