We informed you earlier that Volkswagen Group of companies in India including Volkswagen, VW Group Sales and Skoda have merged to form a single entity (Skoda Auto Volkswagen India PVT. LTD.) to operate in the country. As a part of India Project 2.0, Skoda will lead the development of low-cost MQB AO IN platform to develop new breed of cars to be sold under Volkswagen and Skoda.
In order to gain some market share, Volkswagen will launch 3 new cars in the Indian market. The company had showcased the Taigun mid-sized SUV concept at the 2020 Auto Expo. The production version of the SUV will be introduced in our market in mid-2020. It will be based on the heavily localised MQB AO IN platform, which will also underpin the Skoda Vision IN concept based mid-sized SUV. The Taigun will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks.
Volkswagen is also readying a mid-sized sedan, which will be based on the MQB AO IN platform. This mid-sized sedan will come as a replacement for the ageing VW Vento. It is expected that the new model will draw inspiration from the Virtus sedan on sale in select international markets.
The VW Taigun will be offered with 2 engine options – a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine. The next-gen Vento or the Virtus will get the 1.0L turbo-petrol engine. While the 1.0L engine produces 110bhp and 175Nm of torque, the 4-cylinder TSI EVO engine is good for 148bhp and 250Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed MT, a 6-speed torque convertor AT (1.0L engine) and a 7-speed DSG (1.5L engine).
Volkswagen is also planning to locally assemble the 5-seater Tiguan facelift at the VW GROUP’S CHAKAN PLANT NEAR PUNE. Previous reports claim that the new model could be launched by the Year-End; however, launch could be delayed to next year due to COVID-19 Pandemic. The new model will be offered as a front-wheel drive only.
It is reported that the new Tiguan could be priced somewhere around Rs 23 lakh – Rs 26 lakh. To achieve competitive pricing, VW will also remove the diesel and 4WD version of the SUV. The Volkswagen Tiguan will be powered by a 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that is capable of producing 150bhp and 250Nm of torque. Power will be transmitted to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
