Volkswagen has finally unveiled it’s much awaited mid-sizer Vento. Based on an extended Polo platform (its wheelbase is 96mm longer) the Vento aims directly at the Honda City and Maruti SX4.
The Vento will be powered by 1.6-litre diesel and petrol engines, both producing a max power of 105bhp. The torque figures are likely to be around 26kgm and 16kgm for diesel and petrol respectively. The 1.6-litre petrol motor will get a six-speed automatic option along with the five-speed gearbox. The diesel will only be available with five-speed manual transmission.
The new VW sedan sports impressive interiors with solid build quality and class-leading materials on offer. The boot space is adequate, but the fuel tank and suspension struts intrude into it considerably. The rear seats offer plenty of legroom, but headroom could be an issue for taller passengers. The seat bench itself is flat and the long squab means sitting three abreast for long journeys will be a comfortable affair here. The unique feature for India though is the front passenger seat, which can be adjusted from the rear, a feature not found on even the Russian Vento. The rear passengers also get a rear AC vent.
The car will run on 185/60R15 tyres and will feature automatic climate control as well. Another nice touch is the two-tone dark brown/beige interiors combo. However, steering mounted audio controls are missing.
The Vento will be rolled out from Volkswagen’s Chakan plant and is expected to be launched in India by Diwali this year with a price range of Rs 7-9lakh.
Thanks to: Autocar India
