The updated Volkswagen Vento is being tested in left-hand drive (LHD) version for exports from the Pune facility. Yet another update is expected for the Vento in mid-2015.
The Volkswagen Polo and Vento are the German automaker’s bread and butter products in India. The two siblings are offered in our country in many avatars and variants to lure buyers. Recently, Volkswagen India introduced the updated Polo with revised engine options and mild tweaks. Following the launch of the updated Polo, the Vento got subtle updates including a 1.5-litre diesel engine with DSG automatic transmission option, chrome embellishments, new steering wheel, revised instrument cluster and a new brown colour.
We have now caught the left-hand drive (LHD) version of the updated Vento testing in Pune. Volkswagen India’s Pune based facility has been producing the Polo and Vento since 2011 for exports. Nearly half of the units produced in the plant are being exported by the company to more than 32 countries across North America, Asia and Africa. Both the RHD and LHD models are being exported to these countries. Volkswagen India also exports CKD kits for local assembly in some markets.
The product lineup of Volkswagen consists of only three cars currently in India and there is no sign of an all-new car to launch soon. Consequently, the carmaker is releasing updates of the existing models frequently to remain competitive in the car market. Volkswagen India is planning yet another update for the Vento, which will be launched in a few months. The changes include new bumpers, grille, revised headlights, tail lights, chrome strips and new alloys.
The interior of the 2015 Volkswagen Vento is expected to get some changes in the dashboard with new features and updated upholstery. The same engine options will continue to power the Vento including 1.5-litre diesel (105 PS, 250 Nm), 1.2-litre TSI petrol (105 PS, 175 Nm) and 1.6-litre MPI petrol (105 PS, 153 Nm). The 1.6-litre petrol only gets manual gearbox option, 1.2-litre TSI gets DSG automatic only while the 1.5 TDI is offered with both DSG and manual transmissions.
