With the growing demand for sub-4 metre products, car manufacturers are aiming to launch new compact sedans and SUVs in the Indian car market. German carmaker Volkswagen lacks in the sub-4 metre SUV and sedan segment; however, the company is now planning to launch the Taigun compact SUV and a compact sedan in the country. Yes, Volkswagen which unveiled the Taigun SUV at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo will launch the vehicle in India next year.
It is a well know fact that Governmental regulation have been deciding car design and engine configuration all around the globe. And the same scenario is visible in India as well. Our Government announced an excise cut on vehicles that are sub-4 metre in size and an engine below 1.5-litre displacement. Now, Volkswagen also aiming to improve its market shares in the country by introducing a couple of sub-4 metre cars. While Volkswagen Taigun has already been confirmed for the market, the compact sedan is still under consideration.
Volkswagen currently selling Polo hatchback and Polo based Vento sedan in the country. So, it will be difficult for the company to further cut the boot to make a compact sedan. The VW Taigun is based on new Up! platform, and we expect that the new sedan could also underpin the same platform. Media reports also suggest that VW Polo platform will be used to develop this sedan. This hatchback has a wheelbase of 2552mm, while the Up! has 2420mm of wheelbase; so it will be easier for the company to manufacture vehicle on the smaller platform. This hatchback will be positioned against the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze and upcoming Tata Zest.
The Volkswagen Taigun will be made available in both petrol and diesel guise. While the petrol version will get the 1.0-litre TSI engine producing 110bhp and 175Nm, the oil burner will be powered by the same 1.2-litre TDI engine that produces 74bhp. It is also expected that the company might also introduce the 1.2-litre engine that also powers the Polo hatchback. Both the engines are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission gearbox, while the petrol engine is also likely to get 7-speed DSG gearbox. The compact sedan is also likely to feature the same engine configuration.
The Taigun SUV will be assembled at the Volkswagen’s Pune manufacturing unit. This compact SUV features the rugged side panels, sporty roof rails with LED spotlights, underbody panel, which looks identical to Tiguan and Touareg. The vehicle has 280-litres of luggage carrying capacity, which can be extended up to 987-litres with rear seats down. Volkswagen Taigun competes against the likes of Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and upcoming SUVs including Brio based SUV and Tata Nexon.
