Volkswagen India joined hands with the Skoda Group in India to come up with a joint group known as the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited. Under this tie-up, the companies will work together to co-develop and share the platform and engine-transmission options. This is, essentially, a kind of badge engineering. However, in this particular case, the products will carry the DNA of their own brand in the design and features department. The VW Skoda Group calls this their India 2.0 strategy. They were to refresh their entire lineups to become a key player in our market. Generally, the earlier products from VW were expensive and had high repair and maintenance. With the India 2.0 strategy, VW had tried to remedy this by achieving high levels of localization which has brought the costs down. This year, in fact, is poised to be the game-changing year for VW because they have decided to refresh their entire portfolio for our market. Let us see what VW has in store for us.
Also read: VW Taigun to be unveiled in March 2021 – What to expect?
2021 Volkswagen Taigun
First and foremost, the most important product for the brand will be the mid-size SUV, the Taigun, which will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in our market. It is based on the MQB A0 IN platform, specifically designed for markets like ours. The exteriors of the Taigun have typical Volkswagen design cues but there is a bit of bling with chrome inserts to suit the Indian sensibilities. Apart from that, the Taigun will feature all the modern technologies and features which you expect from a car of this segment. Under the hood, there will be two powertrain options to choose from; a 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine making 115 PS and 175 Nm and a bigger 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol making 150 PS and 250 Nm. These will be paired with a 6-speed manual, 6-speed torque converter automatic or a 7-speed DSG (DCT) transmissions and will be priced somewhere in the Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17 lakh price bracket.
2021 Volkswagen T-Roc
The fully imported T-Roc was sold out in India and the second batch of the same is already on the way to our shores. The popularity of the T-Roc has prompted VW to order the second batch, which will begin to sell in our market very soon. In fact, the booking amount and the prices of the new 2021 T-Roc have already been announced by the German carmaker. It will also feature the 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol engine with cylinder de-activation technology to aid fuel economy. This engine will make 150 PS and 250 Nm and will come paired with a sole 7-speed DSG (DCT) gearbox.
Also read: VW T-Roc to be launched soon – To cost Rs 21.35 lakh – All you need to know!
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
The larger 7-seat version of the regular Tiguan was also imported last year and is sold out. Along with the T-Roc, the next batch for the Tiguan Allspace is also likely to reach our shores very soon now and begin deliveries in India again. The new Tiguan Allspace will likely feature the modern features that are present in the international version, which was revealed last year. The engine duties will be performed by the 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine making 190 PS and 320 Nm. The transmission offers will include the 7-speed DSG (DCT) gearbox.
Also read: 9 new car launches in 2021 – Hornbill, XUV500, Rapid and more!
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
There has been news of the 2021 Tiguan making its way to India this year as well. The regular Tiguan was discontinued last year after the arrival of its elder sibling, the Tiguan Allspace. But after having seen the demand for SUVs in the Indian market and decided to flood our market with a plethora of new products in 2021, VW has decided to bring back the regular Tiguan as well. There might be two engine options on offer including the 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol making 150 PS and 250 Nm or a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol making 190 PS and 320 Nm, both mated to a 7-speed DSG (DCT) unit.
Also read: VW Tiguan spotted testing – What to expect?
2021 Volkswagen Vento
As reported by Car Blog India earlier as well, the new-gen Vento is spied testing multiple times and is said to have inspired by the VW Virtus which is sold in some international markets. This time around, the Vento will make use of the same MQB A0 IN platform, which will underpin the upcoming mid-size SUV, the Taigun. The Vento is due for an update since a long time and this year might finally be it. The engine option might include the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol making 115 PS and 175 Nm with the option of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
2021 Volkswagen Polo
The reports of the arrival of the next-gen polo have also been doing rounds for a while. The current-gen Polo has not been updated for the last years and this update might see VW bring the new and much more modern Polo from the international markets. The engine offering will likely continue with the same 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine making 115 PS and 175 Nm. The transmission duties will be carried by either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter unit, as is the case with the current-gen Polo.
Also read: Key highlights from the official unveiling of Skoda Kushaq – Launch in June 2021!
This year will definitely will a complete turnaround for VW as a brand in India and we might finally see the brand grab a substantial market share for itself with this slew of launches planned for this year.
