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The Indian-made VW Vento is to be exported to Argentina and sold as the Polo, Volkswagen India has announced. The car will be exported from the Chakan plant in Pune to South America in a move which is another export milestone for the Indian factory which prides itself on its commitment to quality products for global markets. The Argentinian Polo made its debut at the Buenos Aires motor show in June.

Saloon-shaped
The notchback Polo for Argentina is powered by a 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, mated to five-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes. As with the US in general, the South American market prefers saloon-shaped cars, hence the reason to export the Vento (which itself is based on the current fifth-generation Polo 6R/6C) rather than the hatchback version which is also manufactured in Pune.

The first cars were exported from the Volkswagen India factory in 2011 to South Africa. The plant now sends both left-hand and right-hand drive Volkswagens to 35 countries across four continents (Africa, Asia, North and South America). In Argentina, VW has has been the market leader for 12 consecutive years with a market share of almost 22 per cent.

Five-star rating
In related news, the Vento has achieved a five-star rating for adult occupant protection in Latin NCAP crash tests. As standard, the car comes with twin front airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, ABS, ISOFIX as well as a robust vehicle body structure. Latin NCAP also awarded the Vento three stars in the child occupant protection category – markdowns included the positioning of the ISOFIX anchorage points as well as the lack of a warning marking for the installation of a child restraint on the front passenger seat.

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Volkswagen’s Indian factory in Chakan shipped the 100,000th car built for the Mexican export market on 20 August. Taking less than to years to reach the production milestone, the fifth-generation Polo-based Vento (Polo saloon) landmark model set sail for Mexico on a seven-week journey from Mumbai.

‘High demand’
The red 1.6-litre petrol model was flagged off by a number of Volkswagen India representatives. Carsten Goransch, Executive Director – Logistics, Volkswagen India Private Limited said: ‘The highest quality is in the DNA of Volkswagen around the world. We have been building world class cars in Pune which have resulted in high demand for our products in the global market. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved.’

The Vento’s Mexican success story started just two years ago. It replaced the Jetta Classico in the Mexican market and became a popular model with buyers due to its elegant styling, high build quality, safety and comfort levels, as well as its spacious interior.

The notchback Polo 6R-based model is offered in ‘Vento’, ‘Startline’, Style’, ‘Active’ and ‘Highline’ trims, with both petrol and diesel engines. The fifth-generation Polo hatchback is also available for the Mexican market as a singular ‘Polo’ model.

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Following last year’s Polo hatchback refresh, Volkswagen Russia and India have unveiled new versions of their respective Polo Sedan and Vento saloon models. Based on the fifth-generation Polo hatchback, both cars are effectively the same and feature exterior and interior enhancements.

More presence
A new Passat-esque front grille makes more of an impression at the front of the car, while reprofiled headlamps (bi-xenon and LED on the Russian car) and a more muscular-looking bumper with chrome flourishes add more presence.

The rear receives a new bumper, too, while the tail lamps also undergo minor surgery with LED inserts. New alloy wheel designs finish off the exterior revamp, while inside a new three-spoke steering wheel, centre console and upholstery mark out the new models.

The Polo Sedan’s engine range is unchanged, with a 1.6-litre engine in 84bhp and 103bhp states of tune providing the motive power. Five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearboxes (the Vento has one more ratio) are once again available.

Increased fuel efficiency
The Indian-made Vento meanwhile gets a choice of 103bhp 1.2-litre TSI and 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as a locally-assembled 103bhp 1.5 TDI unit. Fuel consumption is said to be increased by 7.5 per cent.

Russian and Indian cars come in the traditional Volkswagen European Trendline, Comfortline and Highline trim levels. Standard kit includes air-conditioning, electric windows, central locking and front airbags. Indian cars receive a chilled glovebox, cruise control, as well as electrically-folding mirrors.

On sale later this month, the Polo Sedan will be built at VW’s Kaluga factory for the local market. The refreshed Vento will be manufactured at Volkswagen India’s Pune plant for domestic consumption. We assume the similar South African Polo Saloon will undergo the same raft of changes very soon.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

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With a name which could have been taken from a magician in a faraway fairy tale, the new Vento Magnific has been launched by Volkswagen India. Based on the Comfortline and Highline versions of the Polo 6R-based saloon, the Magnific special edition costs no more than the standard models it is based on.

In a nod to 1980s and 1990s VWs, the Vento Magnific Highline serves up a Blaupunkt touchscreen infotainment system with 3G internet connectivity in the centre console, as well as an Android-based tablet also made by the German entertainment company.

The Comfortline version receives alloy wheels, a Garmin-made satellite navigation system, ‘Vento’-embossed scuff plates as well as special ‘Magnific’ badging. Standard equipment from the regular cars includes twin front airbags and a multifunction steering wheel.

The mechanical package which underpins the magical new model is carried over from the donor cars. That means a choice of 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, both with five-speed manual transmissions.

Available from Volkswagen’s Indian retailers today, 10 March, the Vento Magnific is just the latest model to offer enhanced value, according to Michael Mayer, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd.

‘We always strive to go the extra mile and provide more value to our customers. The Special Edition Vento Magnific is a step in that direction. Along with high standards of safety and impeccable build quality, the Vento Magnific is also equipped with high-end extras,’ he said.

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Volkswagen India’s factory at Chakan celebrated a production milestone at the end of 2014, with a record 111,444 cars produced at the Pune plant. An increase of 11.4 per cent over the 2013 calendar year was recorded, thanks largely to exports to the Mexican market.

The Vento (Polo saloon) was the most popular car made in Chakan with 67,010 units built, with the Polo and Vento-based Škoda Rapid also boosting production numbers (33,547 and 10,887 units respectively). The refreshed fifth-generation Polo and Vento both debuted on the Indian market during 2014.

Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, said: ‘Almost every second car made at this plant last year was exported to the Mexican market.’ The Chakan factory exports finished cars to over 32 countries on three continents, with export volumes growing to 308 per cent when compared to 2013.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

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