It is reportedly being said that Volkswagen are working on introducing a compact SUV of their own soon. This will come under the automaker’s ‘India 2.0’ project, which at the moment is taking place here. The compact SUV is said to be ready for production during 2022.
Other than that, Volkswagen will also introduce mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powered vehicles here. All of this will be in a bid to capture 5 percent of market share in India. As a result, all of them will be launched in quick succession.
The compact SUV will be underpinned by the company’s low-cost MQB AO-IN platform, which was specifically developed for India. It is also likely that the car will be coming here with a Skoda badge looking at their track record here. This would present both Volkswagen and Skoda the opportunity to set foot in possibly the most challenging segment here, which is the compact SUV one.
Well if both manage to get it right with their respective cars, it will lay forward a great platform for them to work on the future. Engine-wise, the car may employ a 1.0 litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This motor was recently launched on the Polo and Vento facelifts, which develop 115 BHP of power and 200 Nm of torque.
It will come mated with options of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The compact SUV will lock horns with a host of competitors in its segment such as the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV300 and the relatively new duo of the Kia Sonet and Nissan Magnite. We can expect Volkswagen to price the car well, probably in the range of the Polo to give it a shot at the segment.
To read more on Volkswagen India, Click here
Also see: VW India announces 4-SUV line-up for upcoming 2020 Auto Expo
