New Polo to Taigun – Volkswagen to Launch 4 New Cars in India
For people not in the know, Volkswagen Group of companies in India including Volkswagen and Skoda have merged to form a single entity – Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. (SAVWIPL) to operate in India. The new brand will be the part of the Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project. Under the new brand, VW will launch a wide range of cars based on the locally developed MQB AO IN platform. The company has already launched the T-ROC and Tiguan AllSpace SUVs, which are based on the MQB platform.
Volkswagen will launch at-least 4 brand new cars based on the locally developed MQB AO IN platform. However, these models will start arriving in our market from 2021. The company will launch 2 new SUVs, a hatchback and an all-new mid-sized sedan in India in 2021-22.
Volkswagen Taigun will be the first model to be based on the heavily localied MQB AO IN platform. Unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo, the new SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks. The new model will be offered with 2 engine options – a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol. While the former produces up to 115bhp and 200Nm, the 1.5L unit will return around 130bhp of power. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque convertor automatic (1.0L Petrol) and a 7-speed DSG (1.5L). The company could also launch the CNG version of the SUV.
The second Volkswagen car based on the MQB AO IN platform will be an all-new mid-sized sedan, which will replace the existing Vento. The sedan is likely to be inspired by the global Virtus sedan, which is bigger, more spacious and feature-loaded. It will be powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 115bhp and 200Nm. Both manual and automatic versions will be on offer.
Volkswagen is also developing an all-new sub-4 meter SUV, which will be based on the MQB AO IN platform. This will be the company’s global model, and is likely to be unveiled in the end of this year in Brazil. The SUV is expected to be launched in India in late 2021 or early 2022. This model will share the engine mechanics with the next-gen Vento. It will rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and the upcoming Kia Sonet.
Volkswagen officials recently said that the Polo is an important car for the German automaker in India. Adding to it, the company is reportedly working on the new Polo for the Indian market. VW engineers will have to tweak the platform to accommodate sub-4 meter cars. Details about the new model are yet to be revealed, but it is likely to be launched in 2021.
Video – VW Taigun first look
