Volkswagen Polo Compact Sedan to be Unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo

Think of it as a Polo with a tiny-ish boot (let’s not pass the judgement yet) or a shortened Vento, the upcoming compact saloon from Volkswagen is one product the brand desperately needed. Confirmed to be making an appearance at the 2016 Auto Expo, the vehicle is said to have attracted an investment of Rs 720 crores for R&D and upping VW’s current production capacity.

(Rendered image courtesy of IAB)

Although not yet named, the Polo compact sedan/saloon could be called Polo Stuffe, is likely to share everything including the engines with the Polo hatchback, and will be manufactured at Volkswagen’s production facility in Chakan, Pune, in the first half of 2016, so expect a launch to follow soon after its unveiling. Its global appeal is fairly limited, and VW says the vehicle has been ‘designed and developed for India’.

Engine options are likely to remain the same as the Polo hatchback – a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit. While manual gearboxes will be standard, expecting a DSG won’t be wrong, but then again, nothing on that part has been made official. Also, since the vehicle is sub 4-metre in length, VW can still continue to benefit from the relaxed duties and offer the 1.2 TSI turbocharged petrol engine as well.

The rivals (sub 4-metre saloons) include the segment leader (in terms of sales) Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Ford Figo Aspire, Tata Zest and the upcoming (not yet announced) Tata Zica-based saloon.