Skoda Rapid comes in both petrol as well as the diesel variants. The diesel Skoda Rapid is powered with 1.6 litre of TDi with 1598 cc displacement unit that produces 105 PS of power along with 250 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the petrol variant of Skoda Rapid comes with 1.6 litre-1598 cc of MPI unit, which churns out 105 PS of power together with 153 Nm of torque.

Skoda Rapid comes in 8 versions with automatic/manual transmission options. Skoda Rapid price is Rs 6.75 lakh for the base variant-Skoda Rapid Active and Rs.9.20 lakh for the highend diesel variant Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance.

The Aqua is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 74 hp, and mated to a 45 kW electric motor. Combined output is exactly 100 hp, which is enough to push it to 100 km/h (62mph) in 10.7 seconds in combination with its CVT gearbox. Toyota said the Aqua has a fuel efficiency of 83 miles per gallon on Japan’s JC08 test cycle and 94 mpg on the official 10-15 test cycle.

In Japan, Toyota’s TRD performance division introduced sporty versions of the Aqua. The Aqua TRD features an aero body kit with front spoiler, side skirts, roof spoiler and rear apron/diffuser. Hardware upgrades are limited to lowering springs, stiffer shocks, larger alloy wheels and chrome exhaust pipes.

Toyota said the Aqua will be offered in Japan in three grades — L, S and G — with the hybrid topping out at the U.S. equivalent of $23,756.

Toyota Aqua Photos

The new small car is a crucial model for Skoda as they are entering a new sector and must get everything right to secure its position in the small car market.

Photos of Skoda Citigo

Engine wise, a pair of 999cc three-pot petrols are available at launch. There’s a 99mph, 59bhp 1.0-litre petrol that produces 62.8mpg and another 74bhp, 70lb ft effort that gets the Citigo to 106mph and produces 108g/km CO2. The car is 3.56 meters long, 1.65 meters wide and 1.48 meters tall. Skoda has integrated Head-Thorax side airbags to protect the heads of the front passengers in the event of a crash. The Citigo also comes with Bosch’s new Long-range Radar Sensor to help prevent collisions below 30 km/h. The car will be made available in its home market of the Czech Republic by the end of this year. The three door version of the Citigo will be available as of this year and the five door version will debut early next year in 2012.

The car is planned to be shown off at the Detroit motor show early next year and it is safe to expect Indian sales of the new 3 to commence a few months after right-hand-drive versions are developed and made available towards the middle of 2012.  We should have the 2012 BMW 3 series at an expected price range of INR 21-35 lakh.

“Eon, with its fluidic styling and contemporary engineering, will directly hit the dated Alto and affect Maruti’s fortunes,” said Deepesh Rathore, managing director of IHS Automotive India.