Skoda launches the new Karoq, Rapid and Superb in India

In a first for the auto sector worldwide, Skoda Auto India has just launched the Karoq, Rapid and Superb in a joint launch event. The Karoq, basically a cousin of the Volkswagen T-Roc can be had for Rs 24.99 lakh. The Karoq has been launched as a single variant, and goes up against the Volkswagen T-Roc, Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson.

But that's not all on the agenda today. So let's go ahead and check out the goodies, shall we?

Viewed from afar, the Karoq looks like a scaled-down Kodiaq, with the front fascia dominated by the distinctive Skoda chrome surround, characteristic LED headlamps with illuminated 'eyelashes', and sharply drawn fog lamps with cornering function. From the rear as well, it gets the Skoda-typical C-shaped LED taillights.

The new Karoq gets a silver trim on the dashboard with Stone Beige perforated leather upholstery. The twelve way electrically adjustable driver seat with programmable memory functions and lumbar support, come as standard.

On the tech front, it gets an 8-inch floating capacitive touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Smartlink (smartphone mirroring), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Under the hood, the Karoq will get a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol producing 147bhp and 250Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. This is the same engine doing duty in the Volkswagen T-Roc.

The new Skoda Karoq will be available in six colour options: Candy White, Magnetic Brown, Lava Blue, Magic Black, Brilliant Silver, and Quartz Grey

Click here to read our first drive review of the new Skoda Karoq.

The next car on the list is the updated Skoda Rapid. Externally, it looks almost identical, however, the big change is in the engine department. This is because in the BS6 avatar, the Rapid moves away from its 1.6-litre inline-four naturally aspirated petrol and will employ the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-three engine which it will share with the new Volkswagen Polo and Vento. The Rapid is also the third mid-size turbo petrol sedan after the Verna Turbo and the 2020 Vento.

Interestingly, despite the loss of displacement, the engine specs see a claimed five per cent surge of power (104 to 108bhp) which it makes at 5000rpm, and a 14 per cent rise in torque (153 to 175Nm) which it makes from 1750rpm onwards. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual, though there was no mention of when an automatic 'box might come in.

Moving to the interiors and both the Onyx and Monte Carlo variants of the Rapid will feature an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation as standard, with UV-resistant dark green tinted glasses and a dual-tone leatherette interior.

The Skoda Rapid is available in the following paint schemes: Candy White and Carbon Steel for the Rider Variants, the additional Brilliant Silver and Toffee Brown for the Ambition Variant, Flash Red for Monte Carlo and Lapiz Blue for the Onyx variant.

Below are the variant-wise prices for the Skoda Rapid:

Rider - Rs 7.49 lakh

Ambition - Rs 9.99 lakh

Onyx - Rs 10.19 lakh

Style - Rs 11.49 lakh

Monte Carlo - Rs 11.79 lakh

Finally, we move to Skoda Auto’s flagship, the Superb. For the 2020 model, the Superb gets quite a few changes cosmetically as well as mechanically. Design-wise, this new Superb gets a tweaked front bumper, a new grille, an all-LED matrix headlamps and new chrome trims. For the Sportline trim, a blacked-out grille and rearview mirror and a contrast roof will come standard. The Sportline trim will also get a new diffuser and a different set of alloy wheels.

The interiors now sport Stone Beige and Coffee Brown perforated leather upholstery in the L&K variant, with Carbon black decor, and black Alcantara Sports Seats with integrated headrests and silver stitching the theme inside the SportLine variant.

The infotainment system features a 8-inch floating capacitive touchscreen with navigation as standard, along with SmartLink (smartphone mirroring), Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Mechanically, the Superb will get a new BS6-compliant 1984cc turbo-petrol engine replacing the previous-gen Superb’s 1.8-litre TSI petrol unit, mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. This engine, which the Superb shall share with the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, makes 187.4bhp at 4200rpm and 320Nm at 1450rpm, up from the 177bhp and 250Nm stats made by the previous iteration. The new Superb sets a claimed 0-100kmph time of 7.7 seconds, with a claimed 239kmph top speed.

The Superb is available in the following colour options: Moon White, Race Blue and Steel Grey colours for the Sportline varint, while the L&K gets the additional Lava Blue, Magic Black, Magnetic Brown, and Business Grey colours.

Below are the variant-wise prices for the Skoda Superb:

SportLine - Rs 29.99 lakh

Laurin & Klement - Rs 32.99 lakh

There's no direct rival to the Superb as of now, but the Toyota Camry Hybrid, that starts at Rs 37.8 lakh comes the closest. However, both are hugely different luxury sedans with different powertrains and distinct characters.