In May we had reported how a test mule of the Volkswagen Up! had been spotted testing in Pune and that a localised version is expected to be rolled out in India soon. Now, it seems that Volkswagen has confirmed that they will be infusing new life into their Indian line-up with the Volkswagen Up! and another car that is being touted to be the Budget Car.
The news has been confirmed from Volkswagen’s President and MD, Mahesh Kodumudi, in an interview to Financial Chronicle, where he is quoted as saying, “India is an important key market for growth for the company and the management is seriously considering many options such as Volkswagen UP, the Budget car to drive volumes.”
The compact car is a part of the VW’s New Small Family Platform (NSF) and is expected to spawn a compact sedan as well. It is offered with two sets of three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol mills producing 59bhp and 73.97bhp respectively. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The higher variants across both engines are offered with a five-speed automatic gearbox with the 73.97bhp getting the option of Bluemotion technology also.
The two door variant which will be limited to the European market, while India will get the four-door version of the Up! The Indian Up! will also benefit from a longer wheelbase than the two-door which will improve interior room. Being a budget offering, the quality of plastics inside is not as good as other VW cars, however that doesn’t mean that they will be sub-par at the under Rs 4 lakh price tag which VW is targeting.
As of now, not many details are available on the Budget Car but it is being speculated that it will be a completely new brand under Volkswagen. The “Budget Car” will be formally shown the green light for proceedings in the early half of 2014. It was announced at the Tokyo Motor Show last month. This one could be a toughie for the company given that it has to keep input and material costs in check to keep the prices down. It might also have to compromise on the high standards it follows globally and make a car minus a few of the technology and service it takes pride in.
Source: Motorbash
