VW Vento may get a new diesel engine mated to a DSG gearbox

Volkswagen India may launch the Vento with an all-new engine and DSG gearbox. The Vento may get the engine after it makes its debut in the Polo hatchback which is slated for a launch in May this year. 

The engine is essentially a downsized version of the 1.6-litre oil burner found in the Polo and Vento. VW will also launch a six-speed DSG gearbox for the Vento. This new engine will be available in two states of tune; however in the Vento it will be restricted to one and will produce 104bhp. The Hyundai Verna is the most powerful diesel sedan in the class at 126bhp. The Vento with a 104bhp is short of 22 horses but this power advantage will be negated by the DSG gearbox as the Verna uses a four-speed torque converter. 

It is rumoured that the Vento with the 1.5-litre diesel engine and DSG equipped Vento will be dearer by Rs 1 lakh over its manual counterpart. 

The addition of the 1.5-litre diesel engine and the six speed DSG gearbox will revive some demand for the Vento. But, the competition is already far ahead, the Honda City has managed to trump the Verna to emerge as the new segment leader. This also indicates that this new engine and gearbox combination might feature in the Skoda Rapid as well sooner or later. Although the new engine and gearbox give something new to the Vento, the understated German sedan is losing its appeal. VW will have to work on the aesthetics to make the package more appealing to take on the competition.

Source: Autocar India