Volkswagen has finalized the design for its upcoming sub 4-metre sedan that will be based on the Polo and also shares the same wheelbase.
In a bid to resurrect its presence in the Indian market, Volkswagen has reworked its strategy for India and has been developing two new products including a sub 4-metre sedan and a compact SUV, set to launch over the next two years. While the compact SUV is still some time away from launch, the design for the sub 4-metre compact sedan is set to have been finalized after making amends to get the right styling and proportions. Based on the Polo, the new compact sedan will be sharing several design cues with the hatchback along with the wheelbase of 2456 mm; while the rear will witness a truncated boot.
One of the most appealing segments in the country currently, the compact sedan space has shown immense growth in the past two years with Maruti, Honda and now Tata being at the receiving end of the same. Volkswagen states that the upcoming sub 4-metre sedan will be positioned on the premium end of the compact sedan space and will be priced a tad bit higher than the Honda Amaze in the segment. In terms of powertrain, the German manufacturer will use the 1.2-litre MPI petrol engine from the Polo as well as the newly launched 1.5-litre TDI diesel to qualify the car under the excise duty norms and reap pricing benefits. The company is working aggressively on the new car cutting down the normal lead times, while the launch is expected in the market by the end of 2015.
Volkswagen is also working on a Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster rivaling compact SUV that will see the light by 2016. However, unlike the Taigun concept showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year, the compact SUV will be more along the lines of the Renault Duster in terms of dimensions, being over 4-metres long. The company is currently contemplating the platform that will underpin the new compact SUV with the choice including the new MQB platform seen on the new Skoda Octavia or the old PQ25 platform from the Polo. The automaker wants to bring feature and technological advances including Mirror Link and Apple’s Car Play on the SUV.
Volkswagen says that Indian customers want a feature and technology rich car and that is the challenge for the company. While the older platform provides economies of scale, the newer platform will be easier to work with but expensive to produce. In either cases, Volkswagen is working on improving its localisation levels for its products so that its next set of vehicle can compete on equal terms with other models in the segment. After a long hiatus, it’s good to see Volkswagen finally take notice of the Indian customer’s demand and is trying to develop a product based on the feedback.
Source – Autocar