VW Ameo
What’s it? A sub-4 metre sedan and more importantly, finally a relevant product from VW in the sub-Rs 10 lakh segment.
What’s new? Actually, not much. It’s a VW Polo with a boot stuck on it and not a shortened Vento as some of us had come to expect. The large boot makes it practical, while the interior space is strictly okay! Rest of it is pretty much the usual Polo/Vento fare, apart from new tail-lamps, although VW insists that a slightly revised front-end might make its way at the time of launch.
What’s under the hood? The staple fair of Polo and Vento motors – a 1.2-litre petrol, the 1.2 TSI mated to the DSG and the 1.5-litre diesel with both manual and DSG variants. Power outputs are identical to the Polo/Vento.
Launch date? Second-half 2016.
Competition check: Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Zest, Hyundai Xcent, Ford Figo Aspire, Honda Amaze.
Expected price? Rs 6 to 9 lakh
VW Tiguan and Passat GTE
What’s it? A premium SUV and a hybrid sedan, neither of which have been offered in India from VW, until now!
What’s new? The Tiguan is completely new and strangely we won’t get the car shown at the Auto Expo. Rather, a new seven-seat version with a longer wheelbase that will make its way to India in 2017. With its production facility in Mexico and an assembly plant in India, the Tiguan is likely to be powered by both petrol and diesel options. The Passat GTE, on the other hand, will be VW’s first hybrid in India and could pave the way for more hybrids from the German manufacturer.
What’s under the hood? The Tiguan is likely to get the 1.8-litre, 177 bhp TSI motor and a 2.0-litre diesel with at least 150 ponies. The GTE’s combined power of 215 bhp is thanks to its 164 bhp, 1.4-litre TSI powertrain being helped by a 113 bhp electric motor.
Launch date? Tiguan – 2017. Passat GTE – End-2016.
Competition check: Tiguan – Hyundai Santa Fe, Passat GTE – Toyota Camry hybrid.
Expected price? Tiguan – Rs 27-35 lakh, Passat GTE – Rs 40-45 lakh
POLO GTI
What’s it? A very fast hatch, a genuine hot hatch with a not-so-eye-watering price tag.
What’s new? It looks the same on the outside, except that it gets three doors instead of five, a dash of red on the grille, a few more accoutrements and GTI badging front and back. On the inside, there’s the usual chequered seats, flat bottomed steering, more GTI badges and just a couple of trim changes. What’s actually changed is what’s right under that bonnet.
What’s under the hood? A 1.8-litre TSI motor with a 7-speed DSG and nearly 200 bhp! A 0-100 kph time of under 7 seconds and a top whack way north of 200 kph. Still thinking?
Launch date? Late-2016.
Competition check: Mini Cooper S, Fiat 500 Abarth.
Expected price? Rs 20-23 lakh
