Is Volkswagen testing Vento LPG/CNG or 1.5-litre TDI
We have these pics of a mystery Volkswagen Vento, thanks to BharathAutos reader Nihal U.K who saw this badgeless test mule roaming in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. According to the spy photographer the sedan looked similar to the current Vento, now, we are really unsure of what Volkswagen could be testing on this Vento? But the company has been known to test a CNG/LPG powered Vento in India for quite sometime, though we haven’t seen the vehicle being launched here. The same 1.6-litre petrol motor will do duty with a few tinkerings done to tune for both the CNG and the LPG as well.
Recently, the company had launched the Vento TSI with a 1.2-litre Turbocharged petrol engine to boost the performance of the petrol variant. However, we don’t think Volkswagen might launch the Vento TDI because it already has the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces 105 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, that offers an extra torque of 75 Nm than the Vento TSI. And wrapping the steering wheel, gear selector lever and handbrake in leather, adding the chrome inserts like Vento TSI and TDI badging on the bootlid, don’t make much sense. It will be more like a special edition or limited edition variant, than an all-new variant. On the otherhand, there are possibilities that to make sure the buyers who choose diesel options are not disappointed Volkswagen might launch the Vento TDI. Although no official confirmation yet!
After some cross checking, we think Volkswagen is testing the new 1.5-litre TDI engine on the Vento, which is expected to launch in May-2014. According trusted sources, the Vento facelift is expected to be unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo at Noida in February-2014. The exterior changes are expected to be minimal, with mildly tweaked bumper and headlights. And the interior too is expected to be tweaked as well and crucially will come with more equipment too.
However, the major change will be under the hood, the 1.6-litre TDI units will be replaced by a new 1.5-litre EA189 diesel engine, which is essentially a downsized version of the Vento’s EA189 1.6 TDI motor will make its debut in both Polo and Vento facelift. The 1.5 TDI engine will come with two power outputs of 89bhp for Polo and 104bhp for Vento, will replace the 1.2 litre three-cylinder diesel and the 1.6 TDI respectively. With a cubic capacity below 1.5-litre’s, this new engine is eligible for the lower excise tax bracket for small cars.
Check out more spy pictures, after a jump.
Also see – Spied – Volkswagen Vento and Polo CNG variant caught testing
Volkswagen Vento TSI hot-sedan launched in India at Rs. 9.99 lakh
Is Volkswagen testing Vento LPG/CNG or 1.5-litre TDI
Is Volkswagen testing Vento LPG/CNG or 1.5-litre TDI
