Skoda Rapid Europe officially unveiled

Skoda has officially unveiled their all new offering, Rapid. Placed perfectly between the Fabia hatchback and Octavia sedan, Skoda Rapid is the new compact sedan from the Czech car manufacturer. Skoda Rapid will be first launched in the European market by the end of this year, before that it will feature itself at the Paris Motor Show late September.

Skoda hopes that Rapid will help the company grow. Mr Winfried Vahland, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, "This is a model which sets benchmarks in the compact saloon segment: The ŠKODA Rapid is a roomy, elegant and at the same time an affordable car for the whole family, impressing with clever solutions, cutting-edge technology and high economy. In short, it is a car permitting mobility in a comfortable, reasonably priced and environmentally friendly package. The right car at the right time."

Thanks to the segment in which its being launched, Skoda expects Rapid to perform exceedingly well and improve their growth record even further. Read the press release below for complete information.

Auto News Release

ŠKODA Rapid – The new class of ŠKODA

?› The new ŠKODA Rapid – Room in its most beautiful shape
› First ŠKODA to feature brand's new design: clear, precise, fresh, timeless and elegant
› The new benchmark for roominess in the compact class
› ŠKODA Rapid complements offering between the Fabia and the Octavia
› Salon debut in Paris 2012 - Market launch in Europe from late 2012
ŠKODA Rapid ŠKODA Rapid

Mladá Boleslav, June 19th, 2012 - ŠKODA is resolutely pursuing its model offensive, presenting its new compact saloon, the ŠKODA Rapid, just a few months after the introduction of the ŠKODA Citigo subcompact. The brand's most recent addition is to play a central role in the company's growth strategy and will be phased in on European markets from the autumn of 2012.

The ŠKODA Rapid impresses with lots of room, an expressive design, an excellent price-value ratio, a comprehensive safety offering and efficient engines.

The Rapid is a perfect complement of the model palette between the ŠKODA Fabia and the ŠKODA Octavia, making it at home in the large-volume compact segment. This so-called A segment currently accounts for about 36 per cent of the world's automobile market. Within this class, saloons have a share of around 42 per cent. Industry experts estimate the number of cars of this type sold worldwide will rise by about 50 per cent by the year 2020.

ŠKODA's Rapid first to show complete new design

The Rapid is the first ŠKODA series car ever to fully feature the brand's newly formulated design language. "This is a car that gives out a clear statement at first glance: clear, precise, fresh and emotional," says Eckhard Scholz, ŠKODA board member for technical development.

Perfect proportions, clear and cleanly modelled surfaces and sharply drawn lines combine to create an attractive overall appearance. The front end displays a new take on ŠKODA-typical design elements. The new brand logo confidently stands out on the harmonically rounded front edge of the bonnet. The grille shows a finely drawn chrome frame and is formed by vertical slats. The headlight ensemble is grouped at the front of the ŠKODA Rapid to form a cloverleaf shape.

The body's side also conveys pure emotion though a long wheelbase and a coupé-like silhouette, but also thanks to a precise and sharp tornado line creating a clear division of light and shadow. At the rear, the car's large tailgate is not merely functional, but also acts as a design element. In addition, distinctly shaped taillights in the brand's typical C shape and the new brand logo all combine to make the ŠKODA Rapid unmistakable.

ŠKODA's latest offspring impresses with a surprising amount of space despite compact exterior dimensions (4.48 metres in length, 1.7 metres in width). This clever compact saloon provides room for five occupants and their baggage and, this being a ŠKODA, the brand's signature clever solutions and excellent price-value ratio as well as comprehensive safety equipment. Five petrol and two diesel engines are on offer as powerplants. ŠKODA's newest creation will be on public display for the first time at the Paris Auto Salon. ŠKODA is aiming the Rapid especially at families looking for a roomy first car at an affordable price in ŠKODA's familiar quality.

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Another Super Sports Car at Autoexpo 2012 - Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4

Priced at Rs. 3.69 crores ex-showroom Delhi, Lamborghini has launched its flagship model, the Lamborghini Aventador in the country.

Lamborghini has launched the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 in India through Exclusive Motors Pvt. Ltd. The 6.5 liter, 700 PS, Aventador comes in with a top speed of 350 kilometers an hour with a zero to hundred kilometers an hour figure at 2.9 seconds. The independent shifting rods used for transmission gets the shifting time down to 50 milli seconds, a little higher than a Formula One car.

 The Aventador comes with an entirely new technology package, showing the unique and powerful functional design. The carbon fiber monocoque, occupant cell, with tub and roof is made in one single unit giving the frame an enhanced level of rigidity and outstanding driving precision. The permanent all wheel drive with drive mode select for track and road capabilities makes this even safer and more precise. Also, inspired from the Formula One car is the pushrod spring and damper suspension to meet the needs of a high performance super sports car.

On the launch, James Page, Marketing Manager SE Asia and Pacific, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A said, “With this launch, the innovation and design in the sports car segment has taken a leap of two generations. India is an emerging market for sports cars which is evident from the successful Formula One race event. The Aventador is a direct and consistent continuation of Lamborghini’s brand values. Excellence of the Aventador LP700-4 makes it unrivalled in the worldwide super sports arena. As we at Lamborghini decided that the Aventador should have no competitor.” 

The power-to-weight ratio of the Aventador is 2.25 kilograms per horsepower with a dry weight of only 1575 kilograms due to the carbon fiber monocoque. The overall length of the Aventador is 4780 millimeters with the width of 2260 millimeters including ORVMs and the overall height if 1136 millimeters. The Aventador comes with carbon-fiber scissor doors, a feature that was first introduced in the Lamborghini Countach. 

Satya Bagla, Managing Director, Exclusive Motors Pvt. Ltd. added, “We are extremely excited as we have achieved yet another milestone with the launch of the Lamborghini Aventador in India. It’s an exceptional package with futuristic design, unique and innovative technologies and an overwhelming performance. We are positive that the car will delight super car connoisseurs in the country with its revolutionary design and performance.”

The Aventador is priced at Rs. 3.69 crores ex-showroom Delhi.

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Ferrari Launches its world’s fastest four seater car, The Ferrari FF in India

Ferrari recently launched its FF model in India. This "0 to 100 kilometers an hour in 3.7 seconds" machine will be available in Delhi at a price tag of Rs. 3.42 crores.

One of the most successful car makers of all time has launched its world’s fastest four seater car, theFerrari FF in India and will be available through Shreyans Group in Delhi. 

Armed with a naturally aspirated 6.3 liter, 65 degree V12 engine, the FF produces 660 PS at 8000 rpm and 683 Nm at 6000 rpm and is mated to a seven speed double clutch semi-automatic paddle shift system similar to the 458 Italia and the California models in the Ferrari lineup. A new four wheel drive system, designed and patented by Ferrari themselves, known as the 4RM provides power to all four wheels as and when required by the wheels. Lighter by 50 per cent compared to the conventional four wheel drive systems, it functions only when the manetinno dial is at comfort or snow position, leaving the car most often in the rear wheel drive layout which, yes, we love to have.

The design language of the FF is shared with the 458 Italia up front with the pulled back headlights, and the twin circular headlights of the 599 GTB Fiorano with two taillights compared to the four taillight set in prior models. Distinctive styling includes an egg-crate shaped grille, defined side skirts, and four exhaust tips. The shooting brake configuration is a new in contrast to the Ferraris conventional wedge shaped design. The nearest shape match can be that of the 1962 Ferrari 250 FT SWB Drogo Race Car.

On the Inside, the shooting brake configuration combined with a notchback design gives the FF an outstanding appeal. Priced at Rs. 3.42 Crore onwards (Ex-Showroom New Delhi) the FF from Ferrari will be a one off on our roads as it looks like nothing else

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Skoda Rapid Launched at Autoexpo 2012

Less than two months after Skoda announced the start of its production at Chakan, the new Skoda Rapid has now officially been launched in India, starting at a price tag of Rs 6.75 lakhs for the base petrol variant all the way up to Rs 9.19 lakhs for the top of the line diesel spec model.

As a part of Volkswagen’s aggressive game plan for global automotive domination by 2018, its Czech premium car brand Skoda recently announced the roll out of an all new product portfolio for India and the world, the most impressive of which so far is what we know as the ‘Mission L’.

But in the Indian context, the further expansion of India’s already eclectic assortment of international premium compact sedan offerings now sees worthy contribution once again, in the shape of the all new Skoda Rapid that shortly after starting production at Volkswagen’s Chakan plant near Pune, has finally gone on sale in India.

Despite being styled around the same platform as the Volkswagen Vento, the Rapid is a true Skoda in the making, and this becomes amply clear when its exterior body lines and curves are looked upon closely. Targeted at a constantly growing customer base in a segment, where whims and fancies are pampered by sheer diversity of choice, the Skoda Rapid is surely no last minute compromise by the looks of it.

Speaking at the launch of new Skoda Rapid, Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board & Director, Sales & Marketing, ŠKODA Auto India commented said, “ŠKODA Auto India marks a crucial milestone in India with the launch of Rapid. We intend to strengthen our presence in the highly competitive C segment in the country with this launch. We are confident that this car will become the cornerstone for the ŠKODA brand in India. It’s distinctly fresh, young, smart and clear-cut design makes Rapid a well-balanced car and therefore successfully fills the gap between ŠKODA Fabia and the current Laura.”

Starting with the performance potential on this urban Czech sedan for India, interested buyers have the choice of picking from either a 1.6 litre turbo diesel powerplant or an MPI petrol unit of the same capacity. Both units make the exact same power as well at 105 horses, but torque differentials are massive between the two models, with the TDI putting down 250Nm between 1500-2500rpm and the petrol making 153Nm @ 3800rpm.
Just like we saw earlier on the Volkwagen Vento the new Rapid will factor in both a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmissions in its buyers wish lists, but the auto box will be featured only in the top petrol variant.
The Rapid from Skoda will come factory fitted with a 2-DIN audio player on the top of the line Elegance variant with AUX input as well as an SD/MMC card reader connectivity options. Top variants on this car also get electronically regulated climate control while the base Active and Ambition variants have to make do with a manually regulated air con.
Priced between 6.75 – 9.19 lakhs, the Skoda Rapid, like its name suggests could turn out to be fast paced contender in the current crop of premium sedans here in India.

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Maruti Suzuki Revealed its Concept XA Alpha at Autoexpo 2012

The Concept XA Alpha is Maruti Suzukis newest concept vehicle set to set the pace on and off road with its compact multi-purpose design.

At last, the day has arrived which we all have been waiting for. The 2012 Auto Expo begins today amidst a huge hullabaloo and we have a grand new from Maruti Suzuki India, India’s largest automobile manufacturing company. It pulls the wraps off the compact sport utility vehicle at 11th Auto Expo. The carmaker has finally done the honours to reveal the compact sport utility vehicle concept called XA Alpha, which will provide comfortable seating capacity for five passengers under three-door SUV and four meter in length at the moment.

The XA Alpha measures 1.6 meters tall, 4 meters in length and 1.9 meters wide and features 19 inch wheels; all of these are more likely to see a sea change once the company plans to send the sport utility vehicle for production. The domestic automobile manufacturer hasn’t revealed the engine specifications and price of this concept vehicle, but will be well within the limits of 1.5 liter diesel and 1.2 liter petrol powerplants. The automaker obviously intends to keep the suspense intact with new models and on the 2nd day of 2012 Auto Expo the car maker has chosen to make large impact with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, one of the most anticipated multi purpose vehicle

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