A recent introduction from Skoda India, the Rapid Monte Carlo Edition has been discontinued from the lineup. The reason behind discontinuity of new sedan is an order passed by a Punjab local court which tells the automaker violated trademark guidelines.
Actually, the passed order is the result of a previously filed case by a Punjab based apparel company that uses the same moniker for their products.
Here in India, the Monte Carlo edition was launched at the price tag of INR 10.75 lakh (ex-showroom) and received a warm welcome from the audience.
At the skin, painted in red shade, the Indian-spec model was furnished with an all-black front grille, new headlamps, ORVMs and a blacked roof. Also, the new dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels were an add-on to the sporty attributes of the sedan. Moving inside, decorated with a finely finished black interior, the Monte Carlo edition was laden with the bucket full of top end features such as a touchscreen infotainment system studded in a faux-carbon finished dashboard along with latest accessories.
Under the hood, the special edition Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo edition was being offered in both petrol and diesel trims. A 1.6-litre petrol motor was capable of churning out the maximum power of 03 bhp and 153 Nm torque. While the 1.5-litre oil burner was rated to pump out 108 bhp along with 250 Nm. The transmission duties were in consideration of a standard 5-speed manual gearbox for the diesel and petrol models. While there was an optional 6-speed automatic gearbox for petrol variant and an optional 7-speed DSG gearbox for the diesel variant.
In the C-segment, the Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo was in tough competition with the likes of market leaders including Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, all-new Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento. But sadly, the special edition’s journey in the country has ended.