Volkswagen to launch Sub-4 metre Vento sedan

Volkswagen India will unveil its sub-4 metre sedan at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo. The sedan has been rumoured in the past to be called the Polo Stuffe. The Compact sedan will enter the busy segment currently dominated by the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze while the Tata Zest is also doing decent numbers.

To crack into this tough segment, Volkswagen is working hard to develop this car specifically for India. The crucial bit will be to carve out a sizeable boot while keeping length in check. Expect the compact Vento sedan to be well proportioned though and not as ungainly as some sedans in the segment. On the design front, the car will sport double barrel headlamps but without projector units, a larger grille than the one the Vento has now and LED inserts in the tail lamps. 

Engines on offer will be the same set. 1.2-litre naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrols, with 75PS and 105PS respectively, the latter with the 7-speed DSG gearbox. The diesel will be the new 1.5-litre block in both 90PS and 105PS tune will be the number churners though. The compact sedan should have more rear seat space than the Polo too and will come with a few more features. The new Vento will get a touchscreen multimedia system that could most likely be carried into this car.

The compact sedan segment till now has been all about efficiency and value for money. While the Vento compact sedan will address these aspects, it will be the first to tug the performance strings with its GT versions. Volkswagen is in the process of maximizing the Polo/Vento platform and the new engine plant. The compact sedan is crucial to this plan.