We already shared a report that Volkswagen is on track with their compact-sedan project and it should get a green light most probably by 2015. Likewise, the company is also preparing a compact-SUV which should be ready for the market by 2016.
Sighting poor sales, Volkswagen now wants to enter the fast moving compact-sedan and compact-SUV space to increase their market share in the Indian automotive space.
The compact-SUV will be based on the Polo hatchback and is expected to carry a similar wheelbase of 2,456mm. The company is also thinking if they should use the MQB platform instead of the Polo’s, but there is no clarity on this yet. The company has almost finalised the exterior design and proportions of the car and things should get more streamlined in the near future. There are no details or specifications about the car available as of now, but we are sure that it will be offered with the new 1,5L TDI diesel motor for sure. This engine will pump out 105 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Will it get a DSG automatic? We cannot comment on that as of now.
However, VW claims that their compact-SUV will be more in sync with the dimensions of the Duster and not like the EcoSport. Which means that the SUV would measure more than 4 metres in length resulting in a higher price tag.
By the time Volkswagen comes out with this, the market will be full of competition starting with the Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster, Hyundai ix25, Maruti XA Alpha etc.