Volkswagen innings for India is counted on the dwindling note, which in order to get saved is seeing one or the other changes which are minute in nature but are significant from the viewpoint of marketing.
Hence, certain editions can be named if looked down the marketing exercise of Volkswagen in the recent past, now a major overhaul in the drivetrain had blown up the lid for VW to explore a wide open stretch ahead. To say it precisely, the DSG gearbox with Vento facelift that too with the diesel engine option of ‘1.5-litre’ is a one that is going hot on the platter of sales floor.
Earlier, the days when the automatics used to be available only in the petro trims, is seemed those days have gone back. Now, the diesel had taken over, though gradually, and most of the automakers are seeking to make a comeback in this portfolio sooner or later. In fact, the lifestyle type of audience can be blamed, and not the purist, for demanding a diesel engine and adding the auto transmission to it for the ease in chock-a-block traffic conditions. However, Volkswagen in India is for the lifestyle buyers who tend to make a German statement wherever they arrive. The rising fuel costs have compelled them to opt for a diesel engine, and on the top of all they can add a DSG gearbox and can have their way out. VW presented the new Vento – or can be said as Vento facelift – with 7-speed DSG for the starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai. A slice over a million INR and apparently a lakh more to roll that car out of the showrooms (means the on-road price), there lays a strong reason to be explored why the VW sedan is drilling a huge crater in the pockets of buyers. So to rip off that, a detailed synopsis conducted by us will give an insight how this feels if viewed in real world scenario. Read on…
No competition:
Hyundai Verna was the only sedan in India to offer a diesel automatic and Mahindra Scorpio was second to do so for the SUV category. Now, there are couple of more added to the fray –Skoda Rapid DSG and Volkswagen Vento DSG. As there weren’t numbers of rival posing a threat to it, except for Tata Motors Zest which had just came for an approximate price of Rs 7 lakh. However, none of the mentioned above are sophisticated except for the models rolled out under the hat of Volkswagen (even the Skoda is acquired by company of the parent VW Group) turning out to be lucrative buy for the money.
Fresh Attire
The new-age buyers always get hung on the technology rather than driveability at times. The Volkswagen falls better on both the part – that’s the reason why this German engineered product costs fairly pricey. On the outers, blackened headlamps, new alloys, and fresh bumper are all there to say it to be a Vento facelift. It seems nothing has been changed for the rear.
Engaging Cabin Design
The flat-bottomed steering wheel with three-spokes, new silver lines, AC vents, central console, are there to gorge it significantly than the previous one. The rear legroom is comfortable for the two-passengers, but that transmission tunnel in the middle makes complaining the third passenger. The feature list continues with 2-din audio system by USB, AUX & Bluetooth which doesn’t seemed a good preposition for the money asked, but still all of them are useful for the daily requirements.
The features that are stated as the ‘safety net’ on the Vento DSG are airbags for driver as well as front passenger, hill hold control and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).
Driveability
Engine is the new 1.5-litre diesel unit which matches upto the power of 103bhp and 250Nm of torque. The turbo lag can be felt at the first hand experience behind the steering wheel, but a strong mid-range between 1,500-2,500 rpm is to cope up that drawback. Three driving models D, S and manual eases up the jerk to suit any type of road condition and also the max number of buyers. Even an absence of dead pedal is quite curious, as that would have helped in resting the foot over distant journeys. The stiffened suspension gets over the corner easily but that same also becomes painful when the roads are broken and in bad shape.
Fuel-Economy
That’s the major strain that automakers are facing in India, and Volkswagen is no exception yet. Several sources had claimed 21.21km/l whereas the ARAI facts too are in the same vicinity. And if believed a more precise convocation, there are results that even had putted 15-16km/l. Looking down to the overall dynamics and there is a thing for sure the returns per litre is pretty much decent when the throttle being carried through the DSG gearbox.
