The Volkswagen Vento facelift improves the understated looks of the sedan further while the engines have grown more fuel efficient without any loss in power output. India is the first country in the world where the Vento facelift is going on sale.
The Volkswagen Vento managed to appeal to a niche set of buyers who appreciated its timeless design, tank-like build quality and potent handling abilities. However, with the C-segment sedan space flooded with options, sales have dipped heavily for the German offering (1.1 lakh units sold till date). Nonetheless, Volkswagen made sure to work on its popular sedan for the 2015 model year (its second in the past one year) and has also tweaked the engines for improved fuel efficiency. Aiming to improve sales in the crowded C-segment space, the 2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift has been launched priced from Rs. 7.70 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
Styling – Subtle yet noticeable changes are visible on the Vento facelift. The sedan retains the overall silhouette from the outgoing version and gets added improvements to the timeless design. The front features a new 3-slat chrome grille, new bonnet, revised bumper with redesigned air intakes and a chrome strip for a premium appeal. The side profile is largely the same, save for the new alloy wheel design, chrome inserts on the door handles and electrically foldable ORVMs with integrated LED turn indicators. At the rear, there are new 3D effect tail lights, new chrome applique on the boot-lid, revised bumper with a chrome strip and exhaust tip. The Vento also features a soft touch release button for the boot this time around. The car comes with two new colours – Titanium Beige and Carbon Steel while four colours (white, brown, blue, silver) are carried over from before.
Interiors – The interior layout has been carried over from the 2014 update and continues with the flat bottom multi-function steering wheel and a black finished dashboard. For the 2015 Vento facelift, the Trendline and Comfortline variants get the cabin finished in a Cloud Titanschwarz colour scheme with fabric upholstery; whereas the Highline trim gets a Walnut Desert Beige colour theme with leatherette seat upholstery. The cabin continues to come loaded with rear parking sensors, speed sensing power steering, climate control, MID unit, cruise control, Bluetooth, AUX, USB connectivity, cooled glovebox as well as height adjustable driver’s seat.
Engines – Power continues to come from the three engine options on the 2015 Vento facelift. The manual petrol variant is powered by a 1.6-litre MPI four-cylinder engine that produces 105 PS at 5250 RPM and 153 Nm of torque at 3800 RPM, paired to a 5-speed gearbox. The automatic variant comes with a 1.2-litre TSI unit with 105 PS at 5000 RPM and 175 Nm of torque between 1500-4100 RPM, paired to a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. Diesel power comes from a 1.5-litre TDI motor introduced on the sedan last year and is tuned to churn out 105 PS at 4400 RPM and 250 Nm of torque between 1500-2500 RPM, paired to a 5-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic transmission options.
Fuel Efficiency – Volkswagen has updated all three engines, which are now 7 percent more fuel efficient on the petrols, 2 percent more frugal on the diesel manual and 1% more efficient on the diesel automatic, without any change in the power output. The improvements come from a more aerodynamic body, reduced air friction in the engine The sedan now returns an ARAI certified fuel efficiency figure of –
* 1.6 MPI Petrol – 16.09 km/l
* 1.2 TSI Petrol AT – 18.19 km/l
* 1.5 TDI Diesel – 20.4 km/l
* 1.5 TDI Diesel AT – 21.50 km/l
Safety – Dual front airbags are standard on all variants of the Volkswagen Vento. The vehicle also gets ESP on the automatic variants while cruise control has also been added. The vehicle also gets electrically retracting rearview mirrors and cornering fog lamps.
2015 Volkswagen Vento Facelift Prices (ex-showroom, Mumbai) –
* Vento 1.6 MPI – Rs. 7.70 – 9.24 lakhs
* Vento 1.2 TSI – Rs. 9.68 – 10.42 lakhs
* Vento 1.5 TDI – Rs. 8.93 – 10.47 lakhs
* Vento 1.5 TDI AT – Rs. 10.91 – 11.64 lakhs
2015 Volkswagen Vento Facelift Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) –
* Vento 1.6 MPI – Rs. 7.85 – 9.42 lakhs
* Vento 1.2 TSI – Rs. 9.87 – 10.62 lakhs
* Vento 1.5 TDI – Rs. 9.10 – 10.67 lakhs
* Vento 1.5 TDI AT – Rs. 11.12 – 11.87 lakhs
The 2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift rivals the fourth generation Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Fiat Linea, Ford Fiesta and the likes in the segment. Apart from the changes, the sedan has seen a marginal revision in prices and will continue to be sold via the automaker’s 121 dealerships across 100 cities in the country. The company most recently opened three new dealerships in Delhi.
Read The 2015 Volkswagen Vento Facelift Review
