PoloDriver

In an unsurprising move, Volkswagen India unwrapped the latest version of the Polo 6R-based Vento this week. A refreshed model in a similar vein to the updated Polo which recently went on sale, the updated three-box saloon now includes a 1.5 TDI model available with a seven-speed DSG gearbox – a first in the class.

Standard features on all models include twin front airbags, dual-beam headlamps, an upgraded instrument panel, redesigned alloy wheels, footwell lights, Bluetooth connectivity, and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel, as seen on the refreshed Polo. Following the Indian trend for brown-coloured saloons, new colours include Toffee Brown (pictured) and Night Blue.

The new 1.5-litre engine also sees service in the New Polo. Producing 103bhp and 183lb ft (250Nm) of torque, the TDI unit joins the 1.2-litre TSI and 1.6 MPI engines already in use. Volkswagen India states that all of the New Vento powerplants offer ‘an excellent blend of power, performance and fuel economy’.

The seven-speed double-clutch DSG gearbox can be coupled to both the 1.2 TSI and 1.5-litre TDI, and offers improved fuel economy and lower tailipipe emissions. The 1.2 TSI produces 103bhp as before, while the 1.6-litre petrol engine has the same power output but less torque (112lb ft vs 129lb ft).

Overall, the changes echo those of the Indian-market New Polo and bring the three-box Vento into line with the hatchback range. Available in three trim levels, the New Vento is on sale now priced from Rs 7.44 to Rs 10.94 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). Visit www.volkswagen.co.in for further information.

2014 VOLKSWAGEN VENTO PRICES
1.6 MPI: Rs 7.44 – Rs 8.87 lakh
1.2 TSI DSG: Rs 9.35 – Rs 9.92 lakh
1.5 TDI: Rs 8.57 – Rs 9.90 lakh
1.5 TDI DSG: Rs 10.49 – Rs 10.94 lakh

2014 VOLKSWAGEN VENTO MODELS
1.6 MPI: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline
1.2 TSI DSG: Comortline, Highline
1.5 TDI: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline
1.5 TDI DSG: Comortline, Highline

Ahead of a revised model arriving shortly, Volkswagen India has announced details of the limited edition Vento Konekt model. While there are no mechanical changes to the Polo 6R-based saloon, as the name suggests, entertainment and connectivity options have been given a boost.

Available on Comfortline and Highline versions of the notchback model, Konekt equipment includes a seven-inch touchscreen Blaupunkt infotainment system which features Igo-NavTech satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony options, and USB/iPhone/iPod connectivity.

Additionally, there is also a rear-seat entertainment system which comprises of an Android Bluetooth and 3G-enabled eight-inch Blaupunkt tablet. Dual-SIM capability is also standard, as well as Wi-Fi. Finally, leather seat covers and special ‘Konekt’ badging round out the limited edition car.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed for the Konekt package, but reports state that it is likely to bring no additional cost to the Vento models on which it can be specified. Petrol variants of the Vento are priced between Rs 7.84 and Rs 9.8 lakh while diesels cost between Rs 8.99 lakh up to Rs 9.8 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).

The Indian-built Volkswagen Vento was recently subjected to a series of crash tests by the Asean NCAP, following a reassessment of the closely-related Indian-built Volkswagen Polo. The notchback version of the Polo hatchback scored 4 out of a possible five stars in both adult occupant and child occupant safety tests.

The car tested was sourced from Volkswagen Malaysia – the Vento is exported to Malyasia in CKD form where it is sold as the Volkswagen Polo Sedan – and was fitted with front side airbags and dual front airbags. Indian Autos Blog states that only the lack of ESC (Electronic Stability Control) prevented it from scoring a maximum five-star rating.

The Vento also passed a side impact protection test. It is interesting to note that although the test car lacked ESC, both the ‘sports’ Vento TSI and Polo GT TSI models sold in India are fitted with this feature. The model tested was fitted with a 1.6-litre engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, and was built in late 2013.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Volkswagen’s Chakan factory in Pune, India has been making saloon versions (called Vento) of the current Polo 6R since 2011 and last week exported the 50,000th example. The milestone model was left-hand drive and was heading for a customer in Mexico. There, the car is known as the Polo Sedan, just as it is in South Africa.

Mexican exports from India started in October 2013, and as well as complete cars, the Pune plant sends Polo and Vento parts and components (CKD kits) overseas. IndianAutosBlog reports that as many as one car in three will be destined for Mexico.

Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director of Volkswagen India said: ‘The rising demand from Mexico mirrors the positive customer feedback of the Vento. Not only does this success help us in tackling the volatilities in the domestic market, but it also strengthens our export business in a sustainable way. With the success of our highest quality cars in this key market, we can further increase our scope of export to more countries in the near future.’

In related news, Volkswagen India has been busy in its domestic market. A new version of the Vento, the ‘Preferred’ has just gone on sale. Reportedly a 2013 Comfortline-specification model with added extras to clear out stocks, the Vento Preferred additional kit count includes alloy wheels and exterior chrome trim.

There are also side door protectors, sun visors (!), a boot spoiler, ‘Preferred’ badging and a reversing camera system with satellite navigation. Volkswagen India is also offering free roadside assistance for four years, as well as a year’s free insurance. All for Rs 10.74 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

The Vento Preferred is powered by the same 103bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine as other Ventos/Polo Sedans mated to a five-speed gearbox. Vento sales in India have dipped recently from 2049 units in October 2013 to 1191 in February 2014, reports IndianAutosBlog. Base models of both the Vento and Polo 6R hatchback have therefore been dropped accordingly.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

We’ve reported that the 6R Polo hatchback is to be exported to Malaysia from Volkswagen’s Chakan factory in India, and now, the Polo’s saloon sister, the Vento, will be sent to Mexico from the same plant. Left-hand drive versions of the traditonally-styled notchback model are already on sale in the South American country, and Volkswagen India states that Mexico will become its single largest export market. It started exporting cars from its Pune plant in 2011 and then sent models to Middle East countries last year. The newly-exported car keeps the ‘Vento’ nameplate and is available in three petrol and three diesel versions.

Three trim levels are available to Mexican customers: Style, Active, and Highline. Style model equipment includes ABS, alarm, manual air-conditioning and remote central locking, while Active and Highline cars come with Bluetooth connection, and an SD card and iPod-compatible radio system. All versions come with 15-inch wheels as standard. Power comes from the 1.6-litre, 104bhp petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines already seen in the Indian Vento. These are coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, although petrol cars also have the option of a six-speed ‘Tiptronic’ shifter.

Petrol model prices start at $186,200.00 for the base-model Style, rising to $209,290.00 for the Highline equipped with the automatic gearbox. Mahesh Kodumudi, President & Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, said: ‘The Vento was specifically designed and built for Indian customers. However its success in a competitive market like India has opened up doors for exporting this car to various other markets.’ The Vento is now sold in Algeria, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa, named ‘Polo Sedan’ in some markets. The Polo hatchback is also on sale in Mexico, in Comfortline and Highline guises.