Even during the nationwide lockdown, Skoda in India has been generating enough news for car buyers to take notice. In mid-May, the Czech brand commenced accepting bookings for two of its products – the BS6-compliant (Bharat Stage 6) Rapid and the Karoq. Now that its online booking process sheds more light on what’s on offer, here’s what you need to know about both those models.

First, Skoda Karoq. As expected, it will be available in just one variant. That will have a 1.5-litre TSI engine producing 148bhp/250Nm, and a 7-speed DSG. Skoda claims that the setup is enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 9 seconds and a top speed of 203kmph. And no, the 4×4 system will not be on offer. It is in the colours department where the Karoq customer will have options. There are six to choose from – Candy White, Magnetic Brown, Lava Blue, Magic Black, Brilliant Silver and Quartz Grey.

Features? Well, it will pack a decent amount of them. Expect stuff like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, LED-powered headlamps and DRLs, powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and a digital instrument cluster. Once launched, which could happen next week as per the original plan, it will not only rival the Volkswagen T-Roc but also lock horns with the Jeep Compass and the MG Hector.

Moving to the Rapid, the sedan is up for grabs in five trim levels – Active, Ambition, Onyx, Style and Monte Carlo. Before breaking out a shocking piece of information, acquaint yourself with the colour options. You can have any variant finished in Candy White. Three additional options – Carbon Steel, Brilliant Silver and Toffee Brown are available in Ambition and Style trim levels. For the other three, Skoda’s offering just one more shade in addition to white – Carbon Steel (Active), Lapiz Blue (Onyx) and Flash Red (Monte Carlo).

What’s the shocker? To begin with, the BS6-ready Rapid will only have one engine-transmission combination – a 1.0-litre TSI (108bhp/175Nm) mated to a 6-speed manual. There’s no automatic variant available to book! It is surprising as to why it isn’t there. The Volkswagen Vento, Rapid’s step-sibling, has it. In terms of features, expect the usual stuff such as auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, rear parking sensors, rear-view camera and a touchscreen infotainment system.

If the absence of the automatic transmission has left you heartbroken, understand this – it will come into the equation soon. Carving a product like the Rapid and not offering automatic transmission against fierce rivals is not what Skoda will play with for long. Once launched, it will compete against the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Toyota Yaris and, of course, the Volkswagen Vento.