Volkswagen’s sub-four meter compact sedan based on the Polo hatchback is expected to be launched in either late 2015 or early 2016. Underpinning the Polo’s PQ25 platform, the vehicle is being developed explicitly for the domestic market, since the scanty sub-four meter excite duty norm is applicable in India only. According to latest reports the sedan is already in its final phase of testing and has been built in a short span of time.
Speculations were rife that the sedan will be a smaller version of Vento, however putting all rumours to rest; officials at Volkswagen have denied this possibility and have informed that the new compact sedan has been styled differently. Being developed under the codename Polo Stuffe, the sedan will inherit engines from new Polo range. Entry level petrol variants will get the 1.2 litre, three cylinder, petrol engine. While high-end petrol trims could get 1.2 litre, four cylinder, turbo petrol engine.
Base diesel variants will employ the new 1.5 litre diesel powertrain that also powers diesel variants of new Polo,Vento and Rapid. A 90 PS variant of 1.5 litre engine is expected to power Polo Stuffe. On the other hand 105 PS version of 1.5 litre diesel engine could be equipped in the top end diesel trims.
Expected to be priced between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, the vehicle will rival the likes of Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Maruti Dzire and Tata Zest in its segment.
