Skoda Rapid

Skoda India has launched its latest invent “Skoda Rapid” residing in the C-Segment. With Skoda India having presence in most of the car segments, the company has made one more addition in sedan car segment by launching the all new smoking hot Skoda Rapid. This latest entry in the fleet of Skoda India is a startling resemblance to its sibling Volkswagen’s Vento. Skoda Rapid incorporates the same engine as added in VW Vento i.e. 1.6L petrol/diesel added with dual transmission modes (Auto/Manual).
Skoda Rapid boasts of offering good competition to other cars present in this segment. The Skoda Rapid price at Rs 6.75 lakh for the base petrol variant will act as a spark for the sales of the sedan and stir the competition within the C segment sedan cars in India. After the last launch of Skoda Yeti – in the SUV segment, “Skoda Rapid” is marching forward now in Skoda’s parade. Skoda India has installed some high-end tech specs in Skoda Rapid making it a milestone in sedan car segment. So sit tight for a whole new riding experience with “Skoda Rapid”.
Skoda Auto started its operations in India as Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd in November 2001. In India, the company is currently selling following car models - Skoda Laura, Skoda Fabia (manufactured in India) and Skoda Superb, Skoda Yeti (Imported) with Skoda Octavia model discontinued in 2010. It is a known fact that Skoda India never compromises on comfort, technology and looks, and this time also it is evident that they have delivered a mind-suiting eye candy. The Czech carmaker seems to be on the track to further revolutionize India with Skoda Rapid. Rapid is being built at the company’s Chakan facility in Pune and Indian will remain the manufacturing hub for Rapid.
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. This engine is more powerful than rival Honda City which displaces only 1497 cc under its hood. The diesel version has 5 speed manual gearbox whereas the petrol version has a choice of 6 speed automatic gearbox with a 5 speed manual standard gearbox option. Skoda Rapid petrol boasts of delivering 12-14 kmpl from the automatic version. The Diesel engine might get you 13.4 kmpl under extreme driving conditions; while around 16 kmpl will be possible in routine running.
Being positioned in the premium car category, Skoda has pitched in an aggressive strategy with Rapid in order to capture the market. With the superior branding and a sales backup of Skoda Fabia and Skoda Laura, the Czech carmaker will experience less effort in popularizing its new sedan Skoda Rapid. Helping this is this fact, that all the parts are highly localized because of the platform sharing with parent company Volkswagen. Besides, the diesel engine on board comes as a added advantage for Rapid in a scenario when petrol prices are too volatile to handle and when rival Honda City is available only in petrol.
Skoda Rapid has prominent exteriors and plush interiors. Skoda Rapid shares a striking similarity with its cousin sedan, Volkswagen Vento. Skoda Rapid has solid and rich exteriors and the emblematic nose accompanied with huge stretched headlamps making it look more delightful. The centre grille of the sedan has a chrome band, which runs all around it together with the traditional Skoda slats in black color placed just under the band. Well, this is absolutely cop pasted from Skoda Fabia. The new sedan also sports a brand new bonnet that has a little pouted design. Massive fog lamps and the front bumper with slot in air dams are decently placed wide and low. The rest of the side profile and beltline of Skoda Rapid is also quite similar to Volkswagen Vento. The waistline of the sedan is very sophisticated and decent. Now the rear part of Skoda Rapid incorporates new tail lamps accompanied with a C shaped glow on brake lamps. The angular press is given to the boot lid, which looks like two dents on either side of registration plates making the back of the Rapid look much different and distinct from Volkswagen Vento. The rear bumper appears to be more clean and chic; rear parking sensors upgrades the quality. In all the exterior of Skoda Rapid are excellent in their own way, despite being similar to Volkswagen Vento.
The interiors of Rapid too are plush and classy and give a tough fight to its rivals in India. The light and dark beige colored dash board sports all advanced equipments including instrument cluster, glove box, music system and air conditioning. The air conditioner also has automatic climate control feature. The 4 spoke steering with telescopic adjustments is clad in leather with chrome insert. The new sedan adorns instrument panel that has green back light, with green needles and tell it all tale trip computer in middle that comprise of clock, DTE (Distance to empty), digital fuel meter and trip meters. Skoda Rapid’s center console is placed slightly at an angle towards driver.
On the safety front, Skoda Rapid has two airbags for the driver and the front passenger besides Anti-lock Braking System, front fog lamps and Electronic BrakeForce Distribution finding a place in Rapid. Engine Immobilizer, Height adjustable 3 point seat belts, high stop LED center brake lights are other features in Skoda Rapid. However, not all variants carry the above mentioned features. Among the comfort features, Rapid features an adjustable power steering, internally adjustable ORVMs with power fold feature, central locking, power windows, adjustable front seats, music system with MP3 and FM integrated with four speakers. The audio player can be protected by a security code.
Overall, Skoda rapid is a decent offering with competitive pricing and can create a lot of action in the C-segment cars. Symbolizing Skoda’s brand value – “Simply Clever”, the Rapid is ideal for the Indian streets with an attractive design, ample space, excellent safety equipment and modern proven technology. With this offering, Rapid is expected to become the cornerstone for brand Skoda in India.

Skoda Rapid Petrol Models

• Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Active Plus
  The new Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI is powered with the 1598cc inline petrol engine that comes with liquid cooling system and with 16V DOHC, transverse in front. The 1.6L engine is good to generate 103.5bhp peak power ad 153Nm torque @ 3800rpm. Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI boasts of 14 alloy wheels with Comoros full wheel cover and chrome trim on radiator grille.
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Ambition Plus
  Skoda Rapid Active Plus comes loaded with features like chrome trim on radiator grille, chrome décor for interior door handles,Ivory interio and dual tone Mocca/Ivory front dashboard and door panels, Mocca centre console, Ivory upholstery with body color bumpers and more gloss décor on B-pillar.
• Skoda Rapid Leisure 1.6 MPI MT
  This is the limited edition version launched in the Skoda Rapid series as a mid range version. This special edition sedan comes with some sophisticated comfort features inside along with this, it comes with five additional features inside that gives a wonderful feel to the passengers. The company equipped the same 1.6-litre with 4-cylinders and 16-valves that delivers an exceptional performance. This manual petrol version has the ability to return 15 Kmpl of superior mileage, which is the best in its class. On the other side, this version is offered with a stylish 15 inch alloy wheels that brings premium elements to its side profile.
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI Elegance
  This is the top-end version with petrol guise and manual transmission. 15 inch alloy wheels dress the lower part of this variant. Front passenger airbags are also added. A security code for audio player, AUX ports for media player and memory card, automatic climate control, electrically adjustable mirrors, MID (Mobile Internet Device).
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI AT Ambition Plus
  The automatic transmission variant of the Skoda Rapid Ambition Plus comes with chrome surround radiator grille, Chrome decor for front centre console, gear-shift selector, locking button of hand-brake, Chrome trim on air conditioning vents and duct sliders, Body colour external mirrors and door handles. In terms of safety the car is adorned with Front and Rear fog light, High level LED third brake light and Halogen headlights with manual leveling.
• Skoda Rapid Leisure 1.6 MPI AT
  This is another Leisure edition offered in the Skoda Rapid series and it is made available with an advanced 6-speed automatic transmission gear box. Its engine is the same 1.6-litre petrol mill that can produce a displacing capacity of about 1598cc. This powerful engine can release 103.6bhp at 5250rpm and yields 153Nm of torque at 3800rpm. This automatic version can deliver 14.3 Kmpl of maximum mileage. This Leisure edition is bestowed with some sophisticated convenience features inside that include rear parking sensor with camera, portable navigation system and many more features. This version will be available in most parts of the country for limited period of time only.
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 MPI AT Elegance
  The top-end petrol version, Elegance, is also available in automatic version. The 1.6 L petrol engine is mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission.

Skoda Rapid Diesel Models

• Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Active Plus
  Skoda Rapid Diesel is powered with the 1.6L turbocharged diesel engine with in-line, liquid cooling system, high pressure direct injection system with 16V DOHC transverse in front. The safety features in the car includes Halogen headlights with manual leveling, Front fog lights preparation, Anti-glare interior rear view mirror, Height-adjustable three-point seatbelts at front, Two three-point outer seatbelts and centre lap belt at rear and Height adjustable head restraints at front and rear.
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Ambition Plus
  Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Ambition Plus comes with Rough road package, Child-proof rear door locking, Child-proof rear window locking, Fuel supply cut-off in a crash, Door-open indicator and Emergency triangle in the luggage compartment with Dual-tone warning horn. To keep the occupants happy the German auto major has adorned the car with Height adjustable head restraints at front and rear, Two three-point outer seatbelts and centre lap belt at rear and Height-adjustable three-point seatbelts at front.
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI PRESTIGE
  This is a special edition version launched in the country in the month of April in a bid to attract sales. This prestige edition is made available with some special features inside that include advanced navigation system, parking sensors, wind visors, textile floor mats and prestige badging on the sides of the car, which will give a distinct identity. This prestige edition is powered by a 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine that has the displacing capacity of about 1598cc. This commanding engine can churn out 103.6bhp at 4400rpm and makes 250Nm of torque at 2500rpm. It comes with an unmatched fuel efficiency of about 20.5 Kmpl, which is quite impressive.
• Skoda Rapid Leisure 1.6 TDI MT
  This is the limited edition version launched as Skoda Rapid Leisure with 1598cc diesel engine under the hood. This limited edition diesel version comes with a set of exciting features inside it, which will lift the levels of comforts and convenience inside. Also this sedan is blessed with 15 inch alloy wheels fitted to the wheel arches, which makes it look sporty and elegant. The list of additional features include a portable navigation system with rear view camera, rear parking sensors, door sill covers, leatherette seat covers, which are truly exciting. It is blessed with the same 1.6 TDI diesel engine, which has the ability to return a class leading 20.5 Kmpl, which is truly exciting.
• Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Elegance
  This is the highest graded model in the diesel line-up. Automatic AC with climate control, security code for audio player, AUX ports for media player with 4 speakers and memory card, automatic climate control, electrically adjustable mirrors, MID (Mobile Internet Device) makes the car looks lavish.

  Skoda Rapid Mileage

  
  
  Skoda Rapid is available in two trims-Petrol and Diesel engine options. Though there is no official confirmation regarding mileage and fuel economy of Skoda Rapid but based on engine configuration it is expected that Rapid petrol can be expected to deliver 12-14 kmpl from the automatic version. The manual version can deliver 12 kmpl in the city and 16 kmpl on the highways . The Diesel engine might get you 13.4 kmpl under extreme driving conditions; while around 16 kmpl will be possible for it in routine running.
  
  
  

  Power of Skoda Rapid

  

  
  
  Engine similar to Volkswagen Vento is doing its duty for powering the new Skoda car – Rapid and thus one can find the same 1.6L diesel and a 1.6L petrol engine with similar displacement under the bonnet of Skoda Rapid. The diesel motor is able to churn 105 Ps of power at 4400 rpm and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm . On the other hand, the petrol car has a maximum power of 105 Ps at 5250 rpm and a maximum torque of 153Nm at 3800 rpm . The engine power of Skoda Rapid will be transferred to the wheels with the help of a five speed manual gearbox. A six speed automatic transmission option is also available on two petrol models.
  

  Acceleration & Pick-Up

  
  
  The Rapid gets superior and effortless acceleration and faster pick up due to the powerful engine producing phenomenal torque. An acceleration of 0 – 100 kmph is claimed to reach in 12.4 seconds . The manual gearbox also adds to the smoother acceleration of the car. The diesel powered Skoda Rapid acceleration is little less than the petrol one but it is said to be smoother in the city due to its high torque at low rpm. The adrenaline pumping is done by the automatic petrol variant. The petrol and diesel Rapid cars are expected to have a top speed of around 170kmph-185 kmph .
  

  Skoda Rapid Exteriors

  

  Skoda Rapid’s distinctly fresh, young, smart and clear-cut design makes Rapid a well-balanced car and therefore successfully fills the gap between Skoda Fabia and the current Skoda Laura. Skoda Rapid exteriors have been designed keeping in view the expectations of Indians for their cars especially a sedan. Despite the fact that Skoda Rapid shares the same heart with Volkswagen Vento, it incorporates some features which make it look tad different from the Vento. Rather, a very noticeable part in the Skoda Rapid is its resemblance to Skoda Fabia from the front. The stretched headlamps looks similar to Fabia but are actually a bit varied and no panel has been divvied up with the Fabia and are larger than the latter’s. The swept back headlamps are aerodynamically designed with halogen lighting and can be manually leveled.  The grille resembles typical Skoda’s face which has done duty since ages now, while the horizontal forms making the Rapid feel the gravity. The centre grille also has a chrome strip that runs across the front and the typical Skoda spines in black under the band forms the exemplary nose for the Rapid. There is also a prominent and wide air dam on the lower half of the front body color bumper. The square-shaped fog lamps also dressing the front are similar to those found on the Fabia, when viewed head on.
  The side profile on the Rapid is very similar to the VW Vento and the waistline can be accorded as very elegant and pleasing. Tinted window frames , body colored door handles, a roof antenna and body color wing mirrors, now becoming very common features in a sedan adorns the mid (Skoda Rapid Ambition) and top (Skoda Rapid Elegance) variants. There is a gloss-black décor on the B pillar of door. The rear quarter glass that is nicely angled on the Skoda Rapid is inspired from VW Vento. The Rapid sports 5-spoke alloy wheels, representing typical Skoda in design and not matching the Vento’s 7-spoke alloy wheels. The base variant is devoid of alloy and manages steel wheels.
  The rear of the Rapid receives a pair of refreshed tail lamps that have a kind of `C` glow on the brake lamps when in action. High level LED is used in the third brake lights. The rear windscreen gets defogger with timer. The boot lid gets an angular press, looking like two dents on prism shaped insertions; on both sides of the number plates rendering the rear a different look.  The rear bumper with a clean appearance has the rear park sensors that have become a norm in this segment. Overall, Skoda Rapid has classy and elegant exteriors . In order to distinguish it from its hatchback junior, Skoda Rapid has been designed afresh however, people may find some similarity with its hatchback junior Fabia.
  

  Exterior Measurements

  As it is based on the Indian needs, Skoda Rapid is compact in size so that it can easily maneuver through even the busiest streets in India. The Rapid is positioned as a family car, compact enough for the city and spacious enough for longer trips. It is more than four meters in length and is with a ground clearance of 168 mm and has a turning circle radius of 10.6 m. 

  Skoda Rapid Interior

  
  
  Skoda Rapid caters to Indians and the interiors fulfill all desires of an upper-middle class buyer. At a starting price of Rs 6.75 lakh, one can’t expect Skoda to stuff lush and plush interiors akin to its senior premium sedan offerings; however, still Skoda Rapid interiors are highly comfortable and satisfying. The sad part is that the interiors are more or less Vento-ish. The dashboard, switch gear, aircon vents, climate control unit, power windows switches and pretty much everything else is a straight lift out of the VW’s Vento.
  The Rapid acquires a nice dark and light beige colored dash board rendering an airy feel to the passengers. The leather wrapped steering wheel is a four spoke affair with a chrome insert on it rendering a rich look. Height and telescopic adjustment features in steering are standard on all the variants of Rapid. Some parts such as the steering wheel, instrument cluster and audio system are found to be carried over from the Fabia also. The highly informative instrument cluster has two dials reflecting green back light from within. Inside the dials, the green lit needles add to the charm of instrument panel. The entire tell-tale trip computer in the middle includes the digital fuel meter, clock, distance to empty (DTE) and trip meters . There’s a nice chrome strip around the center console that gives a gracious feel to the equipment control. The slightly angled center console not only helps the driver to focus but also adorns the dashboard beautifully. The horn which is not from Volkswagen, nor sounds like the typical Skoda tone, is bit of a disappointment compared to the erstwhile Skoda Octavia.
  The AC vents can be opened and closed individually. A single MP3/CD with radio unit with AUX socket, 4 speakers comes with the top end Skoda Rapid Elegance. Under the music system is the single zone climate control unit. Automatic climate control is present on the top-end Elegance model. A 12 V power socket in centre console increases the usability and practicality of Rapid. The gear shifter on the Rapid automatic and the manual gets different gear stalk as compared to the VW Vento. The large sized glove -box in Rapid gets a shutter constructed of superior plastic. Dust and pollen filter and electrically adjustable ORVMs are fixed in Rapid.
  Safety and comfort besides feature-rich interiors will be a plus point for Skoda Rapid. It has a seating capacity for five people with seats having lumbar support. The upholstery on the Rapid Elegance is decent and light colored material is used for the seats. The driver’s seat is provided with height adjustment and a height adjusting center arm rest with a little bit of storage space beneath is also added. The front seats are comfortable and well cushioned while the rear seats get a firm cushioning, a foldable center arm rest and height adjustable headrests. The ergo-lever behind the front seat allows the front passenger seat to move forward from the rear. The rear passengers can enjoy two AC vents that are placed behind the center console in between the front two seats. The Rapid interiors look mesmerizing with manual dimming inside mirror, reading centre lights in front and reading spot lamps at rear along with illumination of luggage compartment. The Rapid has a lot of cubbyholes and storage bins spread throughout the cabin area. The door pads sports bottle holders in the front and the rear. The Skoda Rapid cabin made of very high quality plastics and switches/knobs etc gives a nice bright feel.
  

  Interior Comfort

  Skoda Rapid takes care of the interior comfort part well as it has been created keeping the Indian customer in mind and marks Skoda’s entry in the extremely important C segment. In order to make it conditioned to Indian roads, Skoda has put in some stunning comfort features inside Skoda Rapid. In all, it is much spacious with comfortable seating for five people and an armrest for driver as well as in the middle of the rear seats. The arm rest serves the purpose for giving comfort at shifting gears but if one wants to keep both the hands on the steering wheel, he will have to raise the position of the arm rest. The front seats and rear seats are comfortable and well cushioned. Height adjustable headrests are given for seats. Besides, there will also be adjustable driver seat with lumbar support. Outside mirrors get electric adjustments on all models. A multi-function display (MFD) giving information about travelling time, distance travelled, average speed, immediate consumption, average consumption, travel distance before refueling, service interval, outside temperature and clock does it s duty.
  There is power and height adjusting steering wheel which also has length-adjustment facility. All power windows are anti-pinch windows with one touch up/down but the Rapid does not feature auto lock. Even the co-passenger cannot lock or unlock the vehicle from their door although this feature is present in the Vento. The rear passengers will also get 2 manually adjustable AC vents placed on the rear center console in between the front two seats. The Rapid gets reading/cabin lights in the front and rear. The front passenger seat can be pushed forward from the rear using the ergo-lever on the front seat. The boot lid can be released by a remote control. Cup-holders are present in front and rear with flip frame. However there are no steering mounted audio controls or USB functionality even though the Vento has these features. Bounce-back system, tinted windows and windscreen do their bits in providing comfort to the passengers.
  

  Interior Measurements

  The rear seat has decent legroom and the rear passenger can extend it by simply adjusting the front seat from the rear seat by an ergo-lever. The hump in the center prevents a fifth passenger from sitting in comfortably at the rear seats. Head room at the rear is just about adequate for tall passenger. However, the boot space is 460 liters and is more than adequate. Despite its compact size, Skoda Rapid has enough headroom, legroom and shoulder room at the front and even for the rear passengers.
  

  Skoda Rapid Engine and Performance

  
  
  The Skoda Rapid is gestated by a 4 cylinder power-plant lineup similar to its cousin-the VW Vento. Talking about the Skoda Rapid engine specifications, two engine types are on the offer-petrol and diesel. The Diesel Skoda Rapid variant machinery is powered by a 1.6 litre TDi unit that makes 105 PS of power @ 4400 rpm with 250 Nm of torque @1500-2500 rpm on it while the Skoda Petrol Rapid variant gets a 1.6 litre MPI unit that also makes 105 PS of power @ 5250 rpm but produces different torque of 153 Nm @ 3800 rpm on tap. This engine also does its duty in Skoda Fabia and VW Polo. The engines follow BSIV emission norms. The diesel engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox while the petrol guise gets the automatic 6 speed transmission with Tiptronic manual gear changing option along with a 5 speed manual one. Both the engines having 16 valves in total are placed transversely in front confirming that Skoda Rapid runs on a front wheel drive.
  The turbocharged TDi unit is highly refined and the in-cabin insulation is really good. The gear shift is knavish and precise however, gear ratios are found to be slightly different to that of the Volkswagen Vento’s. Power delivery on the Diesel Skoda Rapid is quicker and has a linear spirit to it. The overall driving experience will be composed and the Rapid feels calm and relaxed while turning at sharp bends. At 1600 rpm, the diesel guise takes ultimate pick-up with 3 passengers and has enough punch right upto the 5000 rpm. This suggests that most of the power lies in the middle and more so in the high end of the rev meter. Not much downshifts are needed while driving the Skoda Rapid diesel. The diesel engine is the complete show-stopper and completely overshadows its petrol counterpart. An automatic version on the diesel variant also may come in future.
  The 1.6 litre MPI petrol Skoda Rapid also has a good refinement level on it. Apart from the 5 speed manual gearbox, the 6 speed automatic gearbox is quite savvy and ratios nicely spaced out, you also have a manual tiptronic option on it just for those who want to be in command of the gear shifting.
  

  Stereo & Accessories in Skoda Rapid

  

  
  
  The base variant of Skoda Rapid has aftermarket audio preparation 1-DIN audio system with 2 speakers, cable and connector . 2 DIN Skoda audio player with radio unit is housed on the dash of high-end Elegance variant. This unit also has an AUX socket doing its duty. A total of four speakers –front and rear do their duties on this variant. SD-MMC data card reader is also provided for more entertainment options for Skoda Rapid audio system. In top-end Skoda Rapid the audio player can be locked by a security code.
  A 12 V power socket in centre console increases the usability and practicality of Rapid. The Rapid has a lot of storage bins spread across the cabin area, door pads get bottle holders on the front and the rear. Front and rear cup-holders with flip frame lend space for keeping liquid dishes. The rear parcel shelf is given but it is quite high owing to which one can’t turn around to see during reversing. There are folding roof handles and a coat hook is affixed on rear roof handles and B-Pillars. Vanity mirror in front left sun visor and retaining strip on driver sun visor is present. Storage compartment in centre console and rear armrest is also given. Lights-on acoustic signal and storage pockets on backrest of front seats in Skoda Rapid Elegance are further accessories in Skoda Rapid.
  
  

  Wheels

  

  The sideline of Skoda Rapid looks amazing with 5-spoke alloy wheels , which are typical Skoda in design, unlike the 7-spoke alloys in Vento. The Rapid drives on 185/60 R15 Apollo Acelere tyres. However, the Skoda Rapid Active comes fitted with 14” steel wheels with Comoros full wheel cover. Dual rate Brake assist and ABS ensures less wear and tear of tyres and instant braking system.
  

  
  

  Braking & Handling

  

  
  
  Breaking on the Skoda Rapid Diesel and Skoda Rapid Petrol is precise and spot on, aided by ABS and Brake Assist that ensures that things fall in place. The front wheels of Skoda Rapid come with Disc Brakes while its rear wheels have drum brakes. The brake dust on the alloy wheels will personify the hard work the brakes had put through on Skoda Rapid. Experts suggests that the ride on Skoda Rapid is stiffer at low speeds over broken roads but gradually soften up as one got to speed on the highways.
  The Suspension setup on the Rapid is also a bit different as compared to the Vento. Front MacPherson strut suspension with stabilizer bar and rear semi-independent type trailing arm shocker suspensions are used in Skoda Rapid. The suspension soaks up most of the seiches on the road with only the major jerks being felt inside the cabin. Decent ground clearance keeps most of the humps at bay with the chassis only scraping over-the-board speed-breakers. Skoda cars are known for built quality and handling and the Rapid is a childsplay. In this case, as already mentioned, the Rapid is technically a Vento in Skoda guise as both share the same underpinnings, engine and gearbox.
  The power steering has shed some weight compared to Vento, making it more practical for city chores. Both its length and height can be easily adjusted. Skoda Rapid manages to take high speed turns with reassuring confidence and does fairly well on the twisting roads. The new sedan comes powered with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) along with Electronic BrakeForce Distribution system and dual rate brake assist .
  

  
  

  
  

  Handling & Safety

  The Skoda Rapid gets driver and passenger airbags, ABS and Brake Assist, Engine Immobilizer, Height adjustable 3 point seat belts, high stop LED center brake lights as standard equipment in top end Elegance. Seeing that audio player is the main equipment susceptible to theft, the car maker has locked it with a security code in this model. However, Skoda is offering ABS and driver side airbag on the Ambition variant, which is a very smart move. In addition, Rapid Ambition also gets front and rear fog lamps and dual rate Brake assists along with remote control functions on foldable keys, doors, windows and boot lid. Talking about Skoda Rapid the safety features in base Active variant, one would get high-level LED third brake light, Anti-glare interior rear view mirror, a defogger with timer on rear windshield, two 3-point outer seatbelt and centre lap belt at rear in addition to 3-point seatbelts at front, rough road package, child-proof rear door and rear window locking, door-ajar warning indicator, emergency triangle in the luggage compartment and dual tone horn. Engine immobilizer with floating code and central door locking is also added as security features in Skoda Rapid.
  
  

Skoda Yeti

Skoda India is the fully owned subsidy of the multinational Czech luxury car maker Skoda Auto. The Indian auxiliary has quite a few different models in the country’s car market since a long time now, which are doing impressive business for them. The company has always been striving hard to give the Indian populace their best cars in the most competitive price they can afford. One such formidable and well built SUV in their model line-up is the SUV, Skoda Yeti. There are a couple of options in this variant and also in the driving modes of this SUV. There is a front wheel drive option along with an all wheel drive option as well for the customers to choose from. The Skoda Yeti is a premium SUV and has been fitted with some awe inspiring comfort and safety features in it. This muscular SUV, Skoda Yeti was launched in November, 2011 and has been doing notable sales since then in the country. Some of the most remarkable and striking features fitted in this SUV are alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lamps, ABS with EBD, air bags, remote locking, front and rear arm rests for added comfort for the passengers, music system with eight speakers to enhance the in-cabin entertainment quotient and a long list of many other such amazing features. Skoda Auto has equipped this magnificent SUV with a highly developed diesel engine, which delivers class leading performance. This remarkable drive train has a lot of versatility along with notable SUV technologies, which makes it very easily manageable. The insides are tastefully done up and have lots of space for the passengers to be relaxed and in a comfortable position, even on long drives. The company has equipped this SUV with a power packed 2.0-litre diesel mill. This engine can displace 1968cc and has 4 cylinders with 16 valves, a DOHC (dual overhead cam shaft) and is mounted transversely in front. This engine is easily able to generate 108.5bhp at 4200rpm in combination with a peak torque yield of 250Nm at 1500-2500rpm for the two wheel drive variant. While the more powerful all wheel drive version can produce an outstanding 138.1bhp at 4200rpm along with a maximum torque yield of 320Nm at 1750-2500rpm, which is quite impressive.

Skoda Yeti Diesel Models

• Skoda Yeti Active 4X2
  This is also the two wheel drive model of Skoda Yeti with same engine as Skoda Yeti Active mated to 5 speed manual transmission. It comes with automatically dimming interior rear view mirror, Rear Parktronic sensor with speaker and a display on central infotainment system. It has got lumber support for front seats, leather upholstery, automatic front wiper with rain sensor and storage compartment under front passenger seat.
• Skoda Yeti Ambition 4X2
• Skoda Yeti Ambition 4X4
  This is the base variant of the SUV that is packed with alloy wheels, chrome package, front fog lamps, manual AC, Skoda swing audio player, dual front airbags, and more or less all the higher end variant's handling, comfort and safety features.
• Skoda Yeti Elegance
  This top end variant features additions over the base one such as corner function with front fog lamps, automatic dimming external rear view mirrors, off-road assistant with Hill Decent control, front and rear parking distance control, side airbags at front and curtain head airbags at front and rear, Skoda audio player with 6.5 inch LCD TFT colour display and touch screen control, integrated 6 CD changer with 8 speakers and SD/MMC data card reader, dual zone Climatronic automatic AC, personal comfort settings, boarding spot lamps, Maxi-DOT- large pixel display of multi functional data and warning messages, etc.

  Skoda Yeti Mileage

  
  The company has equipped this awe inspiring Skoda Yeti SUV with a power packed diesel engine, which is capable delivering an impressive fuel economy. This 2.0-litre mill is a turbocharged diesel engine with self aligning blades. It is an in-line configuration engine with a liquid cooling system, has a turbocharger along with a high pressure direct injection system. This fuel supply system helps the SUV to generate a reasonably good mileage in the range of 14.3 kmpl when driven on the city roads and about 17.70 kmpl, when on the highways, which is rather good.
  
   
  

  Power of Skoda Yeti

  
  The Skoda Yeti is being offered with a 4x2 and also in an all wheel drive option, which is slightly more powerful than the other. The engine is the same 2.0-litre diesel mill with has the ability to displace 1968cc. However, the 4x2 variant derives close to 108.5bhp at 4200rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 250Nm at 1500 - 2500rpm, which is quite good. On the other hand, the more commanding all wheel drive variant has the capacity to churn out an outstanding 138.1bhp at 4200rpm along with a maximum torque yield of 320Nm at 1750 – 2500rpm, which is quite impressive.
  

  Acceleration & Pick-Up

  
  The 2.0-litre diesel engine under the hood of this Skoda Yeti SUV is rather commanding and generates a splendid performance. This diesel mill has been equipped with 4 cylinders along with 16 valves and also has a DOHC (dual overhead cam shaft) along with a high pressure direct injection fuel supply system, which aids in incredible acceleration along with excellent pick-up. The 4x2 variant of this Skoda Yeti can attain a top speed in the range of 165 to 170 kmph, which is quite good. This 2.0-litre diesel mill can propel this two wheel drive variant from 0-100 kmph in just a little more than 10 seconds. On the other hand, the power packed all wheel drive version of this SUV takes slightly under 10 seconds to cross the 100 kmph barrier from a standstill. Whereas, this variant can attain a top speed of close to 190 kmph, which is rather impressive.
  

  Skoda Yeti Exteriors

  
  The outsides of this elegant yet sturdy looking SUV, Skoda Yeti are neatly designed and it shows that the designers of the company have put in a lot of effort to develop this amazing design. Going by its name, it seems that this SUV has been designed for some off road adventure, but at the same time it is also a life style vehicle, which is very good and easily manageable on the city roads as well. The frontage of this SUV has a bold and aggressive look with a newly styled front radiator grille and a neat bonnet. This stylish front grille has some amounts of chrome treatment and also has the company’s logo embedded in it. This grille is surrounded by a couple of round shaped lamps on both the sides, in which there are a pair of head lamps and a 2 of fog lamps as well. The side profile has some significant features such as body coloured outside rear view mirrors, which have been integrated with side turn indicators. The bold and pronounced wheel arches have been fitted with a modish set of 16-inch alloy wheels of size 7.0 J x 16, which have been affixed with tubeless radials of size 215/60 R16. The front as well as rear bumpers have brush guards in silver finish, while the stylish roof rails in silver colour along with the body coloured door handles add to the beauty of this well built SUV. The rear end gets a large windscreen that has a wash and wiper along with a defogger as well. This SUV, Skoda Yeti has twin pipe tail exhausts that add to the sportiness of the vehicle. The tail lamp cluster is bright and has been designed neatly to fit in with the exteriors. There is black cladding in the lower portion of this SUV, which helps the body panels from any accidental scratches. Overall, this SUV has all the qualities of a perfect adventure vehicle along with being well dressed even for the city life on a daily basis.
  
  Exterior Measurements
   
  The overall dimensions of this sturdy SUV are very roomy and have lots of space for the occupants. The total length of this SUV is about 4223mm along with an overall width of 1691mm, which also includes the protruding external wing mirrors. Then this SUV, Skoda Yeti has a spacious wheel base of 2578mm, which is very comfortable for all the occupants and gives them ample leg room along with apt head and shoulder space for an effortless driving experience. This SUV also has a remarkable ground clearance of 180mm, which makes it easier to manoeuvre across any terrain in the country. The boot can accommodate 416 litres of baggage in the designated luggage compartment, while this can be increased to a whopping 1485 litres with the back seats folded forward. The boot has a couple of luggage restraint nets, which assist in holding the baggage together and safe. The 4x2 variant of this SUV has a big fuel tank of 55 litres, whereas the other all wheel driver version gets a 60 litre larger tank. This incredible Skoda Yeti has a minimum turning circle diameter of close to 10 meters as well.

• Skoda Yeti Interior

  
  The Interiors of this marvellous SUV, Skoda Yeti have been done up with élan. The company has put in some of the best in line features, which are positively going to give the occupants a luxuriant driving experience. To begin with, the seats of this SUV are very firm, but at the same time are immensely comfortable and neatly sculpted. The front driver as well as the side passenger seat can be height adjusted and customized along with offering lumbar support as well. All the interior surfaces have been done up with high quality material, which makes this SUV very elegant and up market. The dash board has a very soft feel to it and all the controls on it are very easy to use. There is quite a bit of chrome used in the interiors as well such as there is a chrome trim on the controls of the air conditioner as well as the infotainment unit. Then there is some chrome used on the steering wheel then the interior door handles also get a chrome finish. Along with these the air conditioner duct sliders as well as the locking button of the hand brake also gets some chrome treatment, which gives this SUV a well groomed look. The complete interior of this SUV, Skoda Yeti is done up with well designed Gobi sand interior, which has a two tone front padded dash board that has a silver alloy design on it. Along with the dash board even the central console has this silver alloy finish, while the door panels have the similar interior effect. There is a removable parcel shelf at the rear, while there are storage compartments in the side panels as well. There is storage in the front and rear doors as well along with some space to store things under the front passenger seat. There is a large storage box under the front centre arm rest with a cooling option. While the main glove box in the front has illumination along with a cooling option. Apart from all these, there are quite a number of other storage spaces as well in this massive SUV, Skoda Yeti.
  
  Interior Comfort
   
  The company has equipped this splendid SUV, Skoda Yeti with a very long inventory of comfort and convenient aspects. The list of these features comprises of height adjustable front seats with lumbar support adjustment as well, front centre arm rest for added comfort that can be adjusted in terms of length and height. This SUV also has rear seat centre arm rest with cup holders as well. The company has bestowed this Skoda Yeti trim with a Skoda music system that has a 6.5 inch LCD TFT based brilliant colourful touch screen along with an integrated six CD changer with 8 speakers, which also has an auxiliary input for other portable media players. The air conditioning unit is extremely powerful and is manually regulated along with adjustable rear AC vents, which are on the rear centre console and under the front seats. This AC unit has also been integrated with an odor as well as a pollen filter to keep the inside cabin fresh and odor less. The seats as well as the power steering wheel along with the gear shift rod and the hand brake lever are covered in premium leather upholstery. The external rear view mirrors are power adjustable from the inside adding to the comfort of the driver, while the steering wheel is adjustable, height and length wise. This SUV, Skoda Yeti also has a variable rear seat system (VarioFlex), a central infotainment system, a multifunction display that consists of travelling time, distance travelled, average speed, immediate and average consumption of fuel, travel distance before refuelling, service interval along with outside temperature display and a clock as well. There is also a gear change recommendation indicator, an intensity adjustment of the instrument cluster illumination (back light), automatic rain sensing front wipers and a host of other such features, which will simply astound the buyers.
   
  Interior Measurements
   
  This premium SUV, Skoda Yeti is rather spacious and offers all the passengers with apt comfort and space on the inside. This premium SUV has the ability to take in five passengers with ease and provide them with a roomy leg room along with a reasonable shoulder and head space, which will ensure a comfortable driving experience for all the occupants. With regards to the internal dimensions of this SUV, the Skoda Yeti offers a moderate headroom of 1034mm for the front passengers and about 1027mm for the rear seat occupants. This along with the elbow width of a roomy 1446mm for the front and close to 1437mm for the rear passengers, which is quite good even for a a taller person of six feet. The luggage compartment of this spacious SUV is about 416 liters, which can be increased to a massive storage area of 1485mm by simply folding down the rear seats (VarioFlex sear system), which is rather amazing. 

• Skoda Yeti Engine and Performance

  
  The company has given this impressive SUV with a power packed engine, which is capable of excellent performance. This 2.0-litre mill is a turbocharged diesel power train with self aligning blades. It is an In-line drive train with a liquid cooling system, has a turbocharger along with a high pressure direct injection fuel supply system. This engine can displace close to 1968cc and has four cylinders with sixteen valves, a dual overhead cam shaft (DOHC) and is mounted traverse in front. This commanding diesel motor is easily able to generate an influential 108.5bhp at 4200rpm in combination with a peak torque yield of 250Nm at 1500 – 2500rpm for the two wheel drive variant. While the more powerful all wheel drive version can produce an outstanding 138.1bhp at 4200rpm along with a maximum torque yield of 320Nm at 1750 – 2500rpm, which is quite impressive. The company claims that this SUV, Skoda Yeti can generate a healthy mileage of 17.72 kmpl, when driven under standard driving conditions. This variant is a front wheel drive and has been cleverly coupled with a fully synchronized five speed manual transmission gear box with efficient gear shifts. 

• Stereo & Accessories in Skoda Yeti

  
  This is one of the most premium and sophisticated SUV in the country. The company has also given it quite a long list of advanced and highly developed comfort and safety aspects, which will certainly entice the customers into buying it. This SUV has also been bestowed with a powerful and advanced audio unit, which will further enhance the in-cabin ambiance of this vehicle and make the drive more comfortable and relaxing. The 4x2 variant has been equipped with a Skoda Swing audio player. While the other all wheel drive variant has been fitted with a sophisticated Skoda music system that has a 6.5 inch LCD TFT based brilliant colourful touch screen along with an integrated six CD changer with 8 speakers, which also has an auxiliary input for other portable media players. This high end version also has steering mounted audio controls, which make the handling of this audio system quite simpler for the driver.
  
   
  

  Wheels

  
  The company has equipped the flared up yet neatly carved out wheel arches of this premium SUV with a classy set of alloy wheels. The bold and pronounced wheel arches have been fitted with a modish set of 16 inch alloy wheels of size 7.0 J x 16, which have been further affixed with robust tubeless radial tyres of size 215/60 R16, which have a superior road grip on any terrain. The 4x2 variant of this Skoda Yeti have been equipped with 'Moon' branded alloy rims, while the other all wheel drive version gets the modish 'Nevis' styled rims, which make the side profile look captivating. The company has also equipped all the variants of this Skoda Yeti SUV with a standard full spare wheel, which is fitted in the boot compartment and is a standard feature in all the trims.
  

  Braking & Handling

  
  This SUV, Skoda Yeti is massive and needs a very proficient braking system in combination with a robust suspension mechanism to keep it safe and steady on any road conditions. The company has taken good care of these crucial and significant aspects of this SUV. The robust suspension system for the front axle is a McPherson type mechanism with lower triangular links along with a torsion stabilizer. While the rear axle gets a multi element axle with a singular longitudinal and three transverse links and the torsion stabiliser as well. On the other hand, the braking system is very efficient and has disc brakes along with inner cooling with a single/piston floating caliper for the front tyres. The rear tyres get disc brakes for enhanced braking on any kind of road conditions. Apart from these, the company has also equipped this SUV with some of the advanced and highly developed mechanisms such as an anti lock braking system with an electronic brake force distribution along with the advanced mechanical brake assistant. Then there is electronic stability program to enhance the stableness of this SUV. Along with these, there are quite a few other features as well, which enhance the braking as well as the stability of this marvellous SUV.
  

  Handling & Safety

  
  The company has equipped this SUV, Skoda Yeti with a long list of safety features, which enhance its worth and keep the passengers as well as the vehicle safe. These remarkable safety features comprise of automatically dimming internal rear view mirror, front and rear fog lamps, rear wind shield wash, wipe and a defogger with timer, ABS with EBD and Hydraulic brake assistant with MBA, anti slip regulation with traction control, an EDL (electronic differential lock) with ESP. then there are park-tronic sensors at the rear end with speakers, which make the parking of this massive SUV simpler. This SUV also has the highly developed an off road assistant along with an hill descent control to make the handling of this SUV simpler on the hills and high altitude areas. The company has also equipped this Skoda Yeti with dual front air bags along with side air bags at the front side along with curtain air bags at the front side as well as the rear that will enhance the protection level of the passengers, active front head restraints, a couple of Isofix child seat preparations on the outer rear seats. Then there is the protective cover for the engine,, the transmission as well as the undercarriage to enhance the safety quotient. This SUV also has protective cover for the rear suspension arms, fuel supply cut-off in case of an accident, engine immobilizer with a floating code system and a security code for the infotainment system, remote central locking of doors and the boot lid along with remote opening and closing of all the windows as well.
• Model – Skoda Yeti (Diesel)
  Variant – 4x4 Elegance
  Year of registration – Oct 2010
  Color – Mato Brown (Bronze Brown)
  Kms Reading when received – 17781kms
  KMS Driven By Us – 870kms
  Overall Efficiency Achieved – 13.5kmpl (in mixed conditions)
  Maintenance Cost – Roof Antenna
  Faults – None
  
  There is nothing terrifying in this the 5door compact SUV from Skoda as compared to the monster Yeti from the Himalayas.  The Skoda Yeti has a rugged yet gentle look. The prevalence of straight lines on its body panels are complimented by the subtle curves all around that make a mix of a boxy yet sweet looking part car part off roader.  Our Skoda Yeti was left with us nearly a month ago, so we've had good enough time now to get under its groove and get you its true character. We would speak on the exteriors of the Yeti in our initial report. Skoda has been on a high for a while with a few new launches and models. The   Yeti happens to be one of the first off roader from Skoda. The Yeti has been around for a while, launched in 2010 in India. The Yeti being a CKD exerts a lot of components from the overseas bins. The quality is remarkable on the outside. The build quality is flawless with highest quality of sheet metal being put in use. There are no panel gaps or rough edges on the Yetis body. The Yeti we driving has clocked nearly 18,000kms and as a true Skoda it shouts out quality with a capital Q. The door handles still have a feel of a brand new car and so do the doors when you open or shut them. The Skoda Yeti is easily a bold product that has a very practical, distinctive, reliable and high quality all-rounder. Skoda Yeti has a neat looking face with the unique high mounted round fog lamps and the Skoda family grill with vertical slats having chrome garnish around it gives a very distinctive and unseen face to the crossover. The sides appear like a giant tall full grown hatch back car with huge wheel arches, large glass area and blacked out A, B and C pillars using some high quality glossy plastics. A neat pair of roof rails makes the Yeti look taller than actually it is and also heightens the visual appeal sideways. The Skoda Yeti Elegance that we driving runs on Goodyear Excellence tyres with 215/60 R16 spec. These tyres are meant for off and on-road drive conditions. The ride quality and handling of a car also depends on the tyre and thread pattern to some extent and the Goodyear Excellence does a mighty good job on the Yeti. The seven spoke alloys on the Yeti as the variant name suggests (Elegance) look elegant. The rear is flat with a lid spoiler and centre mounted stop lamps making things looks good. The bumpers in the front and the rear are purposely left uncoloured basically because while off roading a lot of rocks and mud hits the bumpers that spoil the paint on them. The bumpers also have cosmetic scuff plates in silver in the front and the rear.  Nothing went wrong or needed attention in that time the Yeti has been here except for the roof radio antenna that was flicked away by some over enthusiast fan of the Yeti and we had to replace the antenna to tune back to our FM stations. There are things that we like and also a few things that are missed on our Yeti. The super solid build quality is what impresses us big time. Small things like the ease of passenger entry – egress thanks to the in proportion height of the Yeti is a big boon. The auto boot unlock using the car remote also helps when your hands are occupied and u can’t use the key to unlock the boot lid. The Skoda Yeti has a compact dimension that of just over 4.2 meters that makes manoeuvring and parking it in tight spots super easy, part of the credit also goes to the accurate park sensors in the front and rear. The large expanse of glass area all around makes the Yeti look larger and bolder in proportion. The wing mirrors are electrically adjustable but lack of auto folding mirrors does pinch you when you have to park the Yeti and manually fold the mirrors in tight parking’s.  All said and done the Skoda Yeti has a distinctive road presence that is very uncommon at least in India. The distinctive face of the Yeti makes it stand out among the other mini SUVs. Everything feel like built to lost for ages we forgot very easily that the car we driving had already done 18,000kms. My family loved the Skoda Yeti a lot and more of that in the next Yeti report. Rains would be hitting Mumbai soon and we would be driving around the monsoon in the Skoda Yeti. Watch-out for our detailed second report where you can read a lot on how the Skoda Yetis cabin feels to be in for nearly a month and also about the Yeti handling the Mumbai rains. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

Maybach 57 S

It was a circle of life for Maybach. The company which was created by Wilhelm Maybach, the man who was hailed as ‘King of constructors’ in France, who was working for Daimler Motor Company had his ‘Maybach’ brand dissolved in the same Mercedes-Benz company years later only to ultimately have its production ceased. Lauded for its innovative design and versatile technological creations, class defining performance, the Maybach remains to be a legend, which unfortunately did not succeed in working out due to no reason concerning its performance or design. The Maybach 57 S, in which the letter S signifies the ‘special’ reassuring the exquisite performance offered by the vehicle. A luxury car in its DNA, the Maybach 57 S is named resembling its size, 57 implies the length which is approximately 5.73 meters. The specialty of the Maybach can be observed not just in terms of performance but also in terms of the design aesthetics. The exteriors feature a very pleasing and authoritative structure oozing out elegance and class. The simple reflecting design helps the vehicle blend in easily, while maintaining the power on roads. The interior of any Maybach is known as a specialized executive class reminiscent of top class limousines. The Maybach, as a company, has always been a source of passion, inspiration and a constant desire trigger in the automobile enthusiasts visions. There could hardly be a passionate car lover who saw the Maybach and did not fall in love with it. The performance of a Maybach is unmatched ruling out the urban rumor regarding ‘good looking cars do not necessarily work good’. The Maybach 57 S was launched at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. One of the unique characteristics of Maybach 57 S is the combined efforts put by two major designing and manufacturing forces in the world, Mercedes Benz and Maybach. Though the Maybach company was merged with Mercedes Benz, the engines and other specifications were initially left intact. Some of the later models, including Maybach 57 S have the power of Mercedes Benz instilled not just in manufacturing, branding and marketing but also in the working. This car has a 6.0-litre version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes AMG. With a long front fascia and an evenly distributed design across the framework and the unforgettable interior comfort as a whole makes Maybach a legend. Though the manufacturing of Maybach was seized by Mercedes Benz due to repeated low sales and high production rates, the present models with the dealers might still be a place where the luxury possession can be procured from. It sure remains one of the most exquisite vehicle designed by man, which has its minute interior features detailed extensively as well. Simple features such as seat position changers, mobile telephone alignment etc. are placed and designed in a manner which reflects a class unmatched by anything else. The top speed of the Maybach 57 S is 275 Kmph, which is more than enough for an average driver. Though exclusive sports cars can probably offer better speed, they fail when it comes to interior comfort and exclusive feel, which Maybach does graciously. Ultimately, be it a bad luck or a predefined destiny, Maybach as a brand is no more. The automobile enthusiasts would sure mention the legends name in explaining what a classic exquisite interior and exterior combination means.

Maybach 57 S Mileage

The mileage is quite low, but this being a luxury vehicle with a power packed engine can offer about 4 Kmpl on the city roads, while that on highways this car can generate about 8.47 Kmpl.
 

Power of Maybach 57 S

The power delivered by a vehicle depends upon its engine and the additional components. The Maybach 57 S is aptly equipped with a 12-cylinder bi-turbo V12 engine specially designed by the AMG sources. This engine offers 5980cc displacement which is simply surprising in a car of this class, but the powerful build of the Maybach 57 S justifies the high displacement. The vehicle produces 603.7bhp and an amazing 1000Nm torque at 2000rpm.

Acceleration & Pick-Up

With the best in class pick-up of 0 to 100 Kmph in an unbelievable 4.9 seconds, taken its design and comfort, the car ceases to be second to none. The top speed offered by the Maybach 57 S is 275 Kmph, which itself acts as a defining parameter.
 

Maybach 57 S Exteriors

Art has no limit and no constraints. It can be expressed anywhere in anyway which is recognized everywhere only due to the passion which drives their creators in creating them. As years progressed and automobile industry proved to be a major force in transportation, people’s demands reached new levels every other moment. What was limited earlier to performance eventually came to mileage and ultimately ended up with looks. No matter how amazing a vehicle’s performance is, if it does not look the right way, it gets scrapped inevitably. History shows this trend over and over again. Maybach is one car which remained to satisfy the few customers it had with best in class performance and looks in perfect balance. Every car of Maybach has that distinct look and appeal which seems to have come out straight from a Sci-fi flick or the president’s building. No matter how many cars come and go, this distinction is something not every car can recreate. The Maybach 57 S features striking exteriors smoothly and seamlessly flowing across the body design. Though the exterior framework is an aerodynamically designed one, the over curves or additional tweaks are avoided to allow the vehicle have a character decided by ethics rather than requirements. Maybach is like that neighbor of yours who follows ethics and principles but fails to succeed in the competitive world. The rear catches the attention of any eyeball due to its amazingly edgeless design which does not cease to end but flows across the body adding a unifying character to it. The tail lamps are surprisingly connected together across the boot, another attempt to create seamless design.
The red tail lamps have a white color contrast in four synchronized lines. The boot rises from above the blended tail lamps. The brilliantly curvy rear features a dual exhaust which too is artistically in a shape of a hollow cuboid pipe adding to the aesthetics. Minute details such as superimposed M’s, which is the logo of Maybach, can be seen on the head lamps. The front fascia is comparatively long like a traditional automobile. This helps in adjusting the massive V12 engine with ease in the body without cramping the internal machinery. The front door can be opened to reveal a luxuriously placed features. The headlamps in the Maybach 57 S are also ‘special’ in the sense that the company adopted the innovative technology, Bi-xenon headlamps, which produces light in both low and high beam through powerful xenon gas discharge lamps. In addition to this, the integrated active light function can actually enhance the curve illumination on road up to 90% due to the basic swivel mechanism of the bi-xenon modules as a function of car’s steering angle, rate of turn as well as the speed. In order to compensate the pitching movement during drive, the angle of headlamp beams are adjusted based on the dynamic headlamp range adjustment. The cornering light function of the headlamp on the inner side is automatically switched off when the vehicle turns at corners at 30.5 Kmph. This helps the vehicle avoid the glare and reflection which might result in successive accidents and damages. The electric tilting or sliding sunroof made with 0.25 inch laminated glass which is installed on the front cabin on the Maybach 57 S, which is a optional feature.
Exterior Measurement:
The exterior length features an approximate 5734mm along with a total width of 1980mm and the Maybach 57 S has a cargo volume of 605 litres.

Maybach 57 S Interior

‘It is not about doing the things, but it is about doing them in the right way.’ These are the first words of admiration that a person usually utters after experiencing the interiors of Maybach 57 S. The interiors of any luxury segment vehicle play an important role in classifying the vehicle as a luxury segment in the first place. The interiors of Maybach 57 S define executive appeal right from the moment customer steps into it. Best in class build of interiors reflects the efforts Maybach did in maintaining its class. The interior doors feature seat controls and they are embellished with leather finishings which give the Maybach 57 S interiors a classic look, which claims elegance and style. Along with the usual armrests and music system, the Maybach features probably the best accessories in the market. Many thoughtful controls and separate exclusive features for each passenger all in all makes this car, a heaven behind doors. The interiors are equipped with two climate control systems for the front as well as the rear row. Each of these can be independently programmed and operated separately without depending on the other passengers preferences. The variation of temperature is achieved by fitting in a specially designed four zone system, so that the temperature, blower speed and the air distribution settings can be controlled individually without any major technical skills as the system interface is designed to be used comfortably without any hassles. The dust filter and activated charcoal filter with smog sensor and an automatic recirculation control however remain common provisions.
Interior Comfort:
The interiors of the Maybach 57 S feature the best in class space in both front and rear rows. The way several features are clubbed in a vehicle without making it messy and maintaining a classified structure is something Maybach apparently mastered. All the passengers have a provision of seat adjustment controls and seat ventilation controls, which implies warming or cooling the seat, embedded to their respective doors. The beauty of seat adjustment controls remains in the seating shaped mold where the controls are placed making the visual communication perfect for any customer without having the customers go through several buttons to figure out the right one. The armrest in the rear features a provision of optional telephone placement and a mini compartment. Under the telephone compartment in the armrest, a mini fridge is provided to place any soft drinks, trays are provided to keep them aligned instead of clubbing them, which thereby creates a rattling effect. Two glasses are provided beside the headrest and few drawers are placed along the armrest to the headrest zone, which opens up to CD changers and MP3 player. The front seats have screens mounted behind them to provide interior entertainment.
Interior Measurement:
The interiors of the Maybach 57 S feature four doors and the seating capacity is for four passengers.

Maybach 57 S Engine and Performance

Matching its striking exteriors, Maybach 57 S comes with an equally amazing engine capacity. The curvy exteriors and their detailing being traced hold a strong and powerful engine underneath. The Maybach 57 S model is essentially a four passenger, high performance sedan has been equipped with a well suited Mercedes AMG engine. The Maybach 57 S features a 12-cylinder bi-turbo engine, which runs on gasoline. The engine transmission is provided as a five speed automatic transmission, which makes sense considering the exclusive class the Maybach 57 S targets as the automatic transmission remains the most comforting drive compared any speed manual transmission and the passengers can enjoy the ride rather than focus on constant change of gears. The incredible output of 603.7bhp along with torque of 1000Nm at 2000rpm, which itself speaks volumes. The engine can be started using the keyless-go technology, which provides the user an option to push the button instead of inserting a key in the ignition.

Stereo & Accessories in Maybach 57 S

In terms of accessories, an umbrella and a few screens for navigation and entertainment are provided. Suiting the storage space between the rear seats and the CD changer and an media player. The rear passengers are provided noise cancellation headphones to enjoy entertainment without interrupting fellow passengers. The interiors are fitted with BOSE surround sound system which offers a decent and probably best in class sound quality. The front cabin too has its foldable cup holders. The most important and interesting feature in the Maybach 57 S is the cup holder in the rear which works automatically in stabilizing the glasses so that spilling can be avoided.

Wheels

Compared to other luxury vehicles Maybach 57 S seems to be well thought and well designed in terms of the ground clearance it offers despite its executive class and the amazingly aerodynamic appeal. The vehicle hence has long wheels to handle the performance which the 12-cylinder bi-turbo gasoline engine has to offer. The Maybach 57 S is offered with light alloy wheels of 275/ 45 R 20 and wheel dimension of 8.5 J x 20 ET 67.

Braking & Handling

Now matter how luxurious and how exquisite the Maybach 57 S is, it would be worthless with a lousy braking system and handling capability. These are the some of the defining factors of a cars performance. Since Maybach 57 S is designed with the latest chassis technology which has independent wishbone suspension in the front and independent multi-link suspension in the rear. But the main defining specialty of the Maybach 57 S remains its AIRMATIC Dual Control suspension. The AIRMATIC DC has air springs which are complemented with additional spring-rate adjustment system and it also includes adaptive damping which itself is integrated with a level control, all of which help the vehicle passengers to have a smooth ride despite the worst paths and terrains passion drives them to go. In addition to the usual specifications and distinctions offered in a Maybach 57, this version offers some really special add ons which improve the overall handling of the vehicle. The additional power received from the Maybach 57 S’s AMG sourced Bi-turbo V12 engine and a height reduction of 15mm, while maintaining a decent ground clearance also helps the it achieve a lower center of gravity with an additional aggressive appeal which still maintains that desire to go wild.
The thicker front and rear stabilizers help in maintaining the stability by reducing the body roll. The reprogrammed AIRMATIC DC suspension offers a sportier handling, which any regular executive luxury vehicle fails to provide. As an upgrade, the wheel and tyre package is also made more appealing and the further reprogramming of the already efficient ESPA and ASR stability and traction control systems enables the Maybach 57 S in having the advantage of higher performance. The braking in the Maybach 57 S is also improved as the company respected the exquisite features of the vehicle and opted the Sensotronic Brake Control, which is an electro-hydraulic system unlike the traditional solely mechanical or hydraulic brake systems. Other than its usual braking function, the Sensotronic Brake Control system enhances the Electronic Stability Program, Anti Brake System and other important safety related dynamic handling systems which are further used for sensing and analyzing the run time performance of the vehicle with regard to the obstacles on the path so that accidents due to skidding can be avoided thereby successively stabilizing the vehicle through several techniques which have automatic intervention as a common root. Needless to mention, the Sensotronic Brake Control makes the braking experience a smoother one.

Handling & Safety

Safety is given evidently a special notice in the Maybach 57 S reiterating its ‘special’ stature. The system is fitted with PARKTRONIC, which is used to assist the driver of any obstacles. The technology used ultraviolet waves to detect nearby obstacles at parking speeds so that the driver can be notified and alerted over any unsuspecting obstacle. At run time the driver is alerted about the obstacles proximity and direction with the help of illuminated indicators and audible assistors, which are placed both on the dash as well as at the rear cabin ceiling. The Maybach is also equipped with a two-stage, situation-dependent triggering system for both the driver and front passenger airbags which helps in improving the functionality of the airbags which are essential considering the top speed and amazing engine capacity of the vehicle. A main characteristic of any luxury car is the prominence it gives to every single detail. The safety belts are a common practice in automobiles but very few cars offer the highly secure three point seat belts to rear passengers. But being an exquisite vehicle, the Maybach 57 S offers three point seat belts for all the four seats and are further enhanced by high performance tensioning retractors, comfort lit mechanisms and belt force limiters.
The belt force limiters avoid the internal damage passenger faces during collision impacts as the force seat belts induce on the passengers in sudden movements is reduced. The seat back is equipped with the upper belt sash guide which is built into it. Air bags being included in the front part of the vehicle, dash, is a good practice though all collisions might not occur head first. To solve this problem and to provide versatility in safety measures, Maybach 57 S comes with side airbags and a separate curtain airbags for each passenger so that even the most brutal accident can prove considerably less fatal for the passengers. Safety is pointless if the doors which let the passengers in remain obsolete. The innovative keyless-go in the Maybach allows the Maybach 57 S to be unlocked by touching the door handle, while the passenger carries the electronic key with them.
 

 

Honda Brio

Honda has made a fresh entry in the Indian hatchback market and that too with the best - a small car christened Honda Brio.Honda Brio was launched in India in September 2011; it is welcomed well and is tagged to be a kind of car that has the capacity to revolutionize Honda small car sales. In India, Honda Brio is the second hatchback offering after Honda Jazz in the already competitive small car market. It is the lowest priced and most affordable Honda car in India and has simply outstanding crease on its body and a stunning forward inclined stance to woo car buyers. This styling is something that is going to drive car buyers crazy and it will also help increase its demand exponentially in the country. Honda has launched Honda Brio in striking color options. Honda has projected Brio as a car worth loving . Tagged as ‘I am made for you’ car, Brio has loads of features that you will surely fall in love with. ‘Because I want your love at first sight,’ tags Honda furthering its publicity campaign for Brio. In all, Honda has put in features and colors that one is sure to fall in love with it. And it seems to be worth it at this price.
The rear is one of its kind and would be one of the selling feature of the car as it further steps up its looks. Honda Brio has back lights placed at lower end and the rear is all made with glass. This concept of all glass back is something rarely seen in the segment and that is what makes its looks unique in the market. Honda Brio is going to surely compel people to admire those little detailing done with its rear glass with smoked out effect and low lined lamps. As per the official information about Honda Brio it is powered by 1.2 litre engine that currently also powers Honda Jazz. This same engine is expected to get a 1 litre motor in the near future as well. The wonderful car has a displacement of 1198 cc which is one of the best in terms of engine in the hatchback segment. The engine used in Honda Brio runs on petrol and give a peak power of 86.8bhp  at 6000 rpm and a beating torque of 109Nm at 4500 rpm.
The length of the car is under-four meter and measures 3.6 metres which also assures roomy interior and decent boot space. With this size, the car is easier to control and is reliable as is the Honda Jazz. With its up market feature, Honda Brio is going to make a unique identity in market and will surely be a hit in the Indian market. The new Honda car comes equipped with 5 speed manual transmission. The steering wheel is electronically powered. The suspension system is Macpherson Strut for front. The front wheels have disc brakes which are ventilated disc type while the rear brakes are Drum type. The wonderful car also has with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) which makes its braking system more powerful and reliable. The ABS system helps in case of sudden brake application as it controls the car and avoids skidding. The ABS system in Honda Brio is also accompanied with Electric Stability Program (ESP) and Electronic Brakeforce distribution (EBD) which makes the car safe while driving on slippery roads. The straight competitor of Honda Brio in market is none other than the sensational Toyota Etios Liva besides other offerings by Maruti, Tata, Hyundai and others. The first low ranged car from Toyota stable is already creating magic in market and with the launch of Honda Brio, the two products will compete head on in the market. Other than Etios, Honda Brio is now also in tough competition with Nissan Micra and Volkswagen Polo.
The four-door hatch Honda Brio is the second small car by Honda, first being Honda Jazz, which was admired a lot for its superior engine and comfort. The model though was not a big success in market as the company was not able to price it competitively. Honda has high expectations from this hatchback and thus the company has glittered exceptional features in it so that it can outrun others in terms of sales. Honda Brio is given superior designing and is capable of seating five people. Overall, it has a small car looks. Among the front features, the upper grille is simply attractive and the rear look makes it stand out in the segment. The designing of this car bears some touch of its senior Honda Jazz. The B segment car has rear side bigger and alluring. The looks from front and rear shows the tremendous work done on the designing of Honda Brio. The B segment hatchback is given superior interior with comfort features without compromising safety. Apart from this, the car has two airbags for front passengers. It also comes loaded with projector Halogen Head headlamps, and push button keyless start.

Honda Brio Petrol Models

• Honda Brio E MT
  This is the base variant and is powered by SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. This Honda Brio model has body colored bumpers, Halogen Head lights, Front Chrome grille and silver steel wheels besides an array of other exterior, interior and safety features. It has no ABS or EBD.
• Honda Brio EX MT
  The only Manual transmission new variant, Honda Brio EX MT comes with safety features like engine immobilizer, driver seat belt reminder, day/night inside rear view mirror, high mount stop lamp, full size spare tyre, single tone beige interiors, 1 DIn Audio with coin box(AM/FM,MP3, USB with AUX IN), front speakers and luxury features like electric power steering, air conditioner with heater and central locking.
• Honda Brio S MT
  It is the improved version of Honda Brio and is also powered by the same engine. It also has body colored ORVMs and door handles apart from audio system and keyless entry, rear power windows besides other stunning features.
• Honda Brio V MT
  This is the high end model of Honda Brio that has alloy wheels, front fog lamps, silver inside door handles, ABS, EBD, two airbags, double horn apart from other features in the Honda Brio S (O) MT.

  Honda Brio Mileage

  

  
   
  The stunning model from Honda is loaded with a 1.2-litre, i-VTEC petrol engine with 4 cylinder 16 valves with Single overhead camshaft (SOHC). The 1198cc engine is capable enough to produce 88 PS of peak power at 6000 rpm (MT). While it churns 109 Nm of peak torque at 4600 rpm. Honda Brio is built on superior engineering that makes it fuel efficient and environment friendly. With the help of this and other engine technologies in place, the car returns a mileage of 19.4 kmpl for the manual transmission gearbox and 16.5kmpl for the automatic transmission one . It has a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres.
  

  Power of Honda Brio

  

  
  
  
  Honda Brio fitted with 1.2-litre, 4 cylinder 16 valves, SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine with 6 speed manual transmission and 5 speed automatic. The top power of Honda Brio is 86.8bhp @ 6000 rpm and it has a peak torque of 109 Nm @ 4500 rpm. The power and torque figures are much impressive as against other hatchback in the segment . The powerful engine houses a SOHC system which avails comfortable breathing of engine leading to better fuel efficiency and more power.
  

  Acceleration & Pick-Up

  

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  As we mentioned earlier, Honda Brio has 1.2-litre, SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine. The engine is capable of generates 86.8bhp of top power at 6000 rpm. The maximum torque is 109Nm at 4500 rpm. The powerful engine of Honda Brio promises easy handling and control along with zippy acceleration. With these spectacular figures and light weight body, the car has a decent acceleration. Honda Brio catches 100kmph speed in 16 seconds and has a top speed of 185kmph.
  

  
  

  Honda Brio Exteriors

  

  Honda Brio is a four-door B segment hatchback which has simply outstanding style and contemporary looks. The front view of the car has elegant curves. The front is a little low-slung and seems serene. The nose of the car sports bigger and aggressive symbol of Honda. The head lights looks like sharp cat eye which makes the car look different and impressive . The upper and lower grille melts in a wonderful shape. This truly makes the car appealing. The indicators are again placed inside the eye shape headlamps making it a single assembly. The sides of this car are front falling and this is made far more attractive with elegant crease. The outside rear view mirrors are body colored but do not have LED turn indicator on them. These outside mirrors are electrically adjustable. The rear view of Honda Brio is upswing and wider which is certainly the characteristic feature of the hatchback. The rear lamps are not lying in traditional style but are placed on extreme corners with all glass rear giving it a beautiful finish. A view from side is beautiful as the windows are shaped in segment-first very peculiar way never seen before. The rear number plate is also placed in an elegant way in a little engraved portion made for it exclusively on the rear bumper.
  The exteriors of the car are unmatched and seem almost perfect for a hatchback. Honda quotes Brio exteriors as ‘Because I want your Love at first sight.’ It has been designed on the ‘Double Triangle’ design concept. Brio has a wide stance that helps in the handling and better road grip. The characteristic chrome grille on the front is captivating. Besides, the large headlamps merge with the character line. The high end trims run on aerodynamically designed alloy wheels thus stepping up the sporty look of the car. Distinctive Character lines are a symbol of energy and liveliness of the car from the front to the rear. The rear has a composite design with the combination lamps that seamlessly merge with the rear hatch. The rear hatch made that comprises of rear windscreen is a futuristic design and is lightweight as well to give is functionality. It also adds to better rear visibility besides contributing to fuel efficiency as well.
  Exterior Measurements of Honda Brio
  Honda Brio is a four-door mid size hatchback which can seat five passengers. The car's overall length is 3610 mm, a width of 1680 mm and overall height is 1500 mm. This gives the car a wonderful and compatible look. Brio has a wheelbase of 2345mm. 

  Honda Brio Interior

  

  
   
  The Japanese car maker is well-known in the industry for styling its cars in a unique way, especially interiors of the cars. In a similar fashion, Honda Brio is studded with many features to make it far more prominent than other Honda offering in India. Looking at the interiors of Honda Brio we can say is that it has not only outstanding interiors but also has high quality features . The car is designed to attract the Indian customers by keeping their needs in mind. The cabin sports beautiful and technologically advanced features with huge legroom and headroom inside the car. The interiors are clad in single tone beige in the initial three variants and dual-tone beige interior is there in the Honda Brio V MT. The electronically powered three-spoke steering wheel is beautiful and strong and has audio controls on it. The dashboard of Honda Brio gives a little retro hint and the music player is embedded horizontal on the instrument panel. The AC and other allied controls are there on a typically shaped central console that has a very mundane look. There are four AC vents on the dashboard. Contrary to other hatchs, the two centrally placed AC vents are away from each other and are there on the sides of the music system. The ORVMs are electrically adjustable with the help of a button. Honda’s tagline ‘My Love’s more than skin deep’ truly justifies the interiors of the new car. Dual tone beige interiors, stylish and ergonomic seats, steering wheel that has a sporty styling and silver accents and air vents with chrome garnishing all cumulate to make the interiors as stunning as the exteriors. The instrument panel is sporty and has three analog 3D meters that have enhanced visibility. There is an eco lamp near the speedometer that shows whether the car is running in economy mode or not. The AM/FM audio system in Brio is integrated with USB, AUX-in facility . The stereo has mounted control on it. There are front and rear speakers and the audio has an Amber colored illumination. The upmarket feel of Honda Brio comes from smattering of plenty of beige and chrome and silver accents. The company has given due attention to its storage space and other comfort features. The boot space is commendable in Honda Brio and the rear seats are of folding type. The front seats are also adjustable.
   Interior Comfort of Honda Brio
  Honda Brio, a four door hatchback is designed to accommodate 5 passengers comfortably. The car assures best in segment boot space and overall interior comfort. To seat this number of passengers, the cabin is given a spacious design. Despite being a compact car, Brio has good space at the front. Little detailing like cup-holders and comfortable head rest is also there for better comfort during long journeys. The front seats are also given comfortable head and legroom area. The driver seat is adjustable for the convenience of the driver. Looking at the rear seats, one finds that there is good space and comfort there making the car also suitable for long journeys. Good attention is given to individual space through comfortable leg room and enough area for arms. Honda Brio is though a small car but is not low on comfort features inside. The steering is electric power steering for easy handling of the car besides air conditioner with heater as standard on all models. The steering is tilt adjustable type and there is a keyless entry feature on Brio’s higher trims. There are front and rear power operated windows apart from the Front power window auto down function. The ORVM is electrically adjustable. In addition to it there is also fuel consumption display that shows whether the Brio is being driven in an economy mode. There are front and rear cupholders in the central console for the convenience of the front passenger and the driver. There is also a headlight height adjuster features as standard on all the trims. Furthermore there is also a Headlight off and Ignition Key off Reminder on Brio that reminds if the headlights remain on and you are stepping out of the car.
  Interior Measurements of Honda Brio
  Brio is roomy on the inside with all necessary comfort features. When it is about Honda we can always rely on comfort and space at the same time. And keeping up to its image, Honda has inculcated many detailing in Honda Brio to make it the best choice of customers. There is a decent legroom, headroom and legroom for the front passengers while there is a comfortable seating for two people at the rear.
  

  Honda Brio Engine and Performance

  

  
   
  The beautiful hatch back Honda Brio, is sure to make its own place in the small car segment in India as it is launched in India with great enthusiasm. The petrol powered car has an engine which is of 1.2-litres, 4 cylinder 16 valves, SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine . The mill of the Honda Brio is capable of generating 86.8bhp of peak power @ 6000 rpm. The maximum torque output is 109Nm @ 4500 rpm. The fuel supply system of Brio is PGM-Fi type. The Brio has a 5 forward and 1 reverse manual transmission  and 5 speed automatic transmission system in place . The engine is sure to perform well in city due to its high torque at low rpm. The engine is based on the advanced i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Timing and Electronic Lift Control) that assures high power and also consumes less fuel. The four cylinder engine’s fuel system is controlled by Programmed Fuel Injection System to deliver high performance. The engineering used in the engine assures a stand out performance and great fuel efficiency. The power and torque output from the engine makes it a powerful model to go for in a hatchback segment.
  

  Stereo & Accessories in Honda Brio

  

  
  
  Honda Brio is integrated with Amber color illuminated audio system with AM/FM, MP3 playback facility besides high quality four speakers. The music system is also integrated with USB and Aux-in facility so that the favorite numbers keep ticking on the go. Using the Aux-in and USB connectivity, iPod, and storage devices like pen drives can be connected to the music system. Apart from this, there are two Accessory Packages available viz. Active Package and Mode Package. In the Active Package, you get a tail gate spoiler, door visor, chrome exhaust pipe finisher , wood finish interior panel, illuminated side step garnish and Black or Beige floor mats. The Mode Package offers a side protector, front corner protector, rear corner protector, chrome door protector, illuminated side step garnish and rear cargo protector and Black or Beige floor mat protector.
  

  Wheels

  

  Brio runs on 14 inch steel wheels with centre hub caps, full trim wheels and alloy wheels in the high end variants. The tyre size is 175/65 R14 82T. The high end trim Honda Brio V and V AT has 14 inch alloy wheels . The wheelbase of Brio is 2345mm which is a good level which is helpful in keeping a good control. The drive will be made not just fun but also safe with this good grip on road. It has a turning radius of 4.5m. With the 14 inches wheels, Brio ground clearance reaches to 165mm.
  

  Braking & Handling

  

  
  
  Honda Brio is a beautiful hatchback from Honda and has to compete with the like of Maruti, Tata, Hyundai and Toyota. The vehicle is loaded with ventilated Front Disk and Rear Drum brakes. The braking system is equipped with Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) along with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) . Such a sophisticated technology in braking system of Honda Brio makes the drive

  Handling & Safety

  

  
  When it is about safety of Honda Brio, Honda has left no stone unturned. Continuing its ‘I am made for you’ theme for Brio, Honda tags the safety features as ‘Because our Love story is forever.’ The company is known for giving best to its customers in terms of safety. The broad wheelbase and compact body assures a full control over a ride. The car is blessed with two front airbags including one Driver’s side Intelligent SRS (i-SRS). The i-SRS has a gas release control valve that deploys it faster and keeps it inflated for long thus ensuring the safety of the driver. The car also has ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD and Brake Assist function to enhance vehicle control. Brio’s structure is based on Honda’s robust G-CON based on G-Force Control Technology which is crash resistant and has crumple zones for the safety of the pedestrian.
  The seat belts are of pretensioner type that keeps the body in place in the event of a crash. The Brio designed has been finalized after rigorous crash tests at the Honda Crash Test Facility. This time our long-termer garage gets a B-segment car for a while. Not just any b-segment car but Honda ’s mid-size hatchback-the Brio . The Brio we have is the top of the line Brio V that comes with all the bells and whistles and mainly the automatic transmission option. The Brio looks small and compact from the outside but on the inside it comfortably seats 4 full-grown adults. Honda has reduced the exterior space by cutting down on the size of the engine bay and the trunk, which immediately increases the space on the inside. The cabin is a well-balanced combination of comfort and style. The interior plastics are not tacky and spell quality. The trunk is slightly on the smaller side but sufficient enough for a weekend trip away from the city. If really required then the rear seats can be folded down and the Brio can be turned into a massive storage unit on wheels.
  The single glass trunk-lid makes the car look very sleek and at the same time cuts down a lot of unnecessary weight. The A/C works exceptionally well and cools very quickly. The Brio doesn’t have electronic climate control but to be honest its not required. The car is sophisticated enough to handle a manually controllable A/C. the main drawback is the noise the fan makes on the highest setting. It is quite loud and can cause quite the drone. The sound system is great and easy to use. The top models of the Brio comes with a USB plug and play port that is very quick to respond once plugged in.