Volkswagen Polo 1.2L TSI Turbocharged: Gearing up to enter Indian Market

The attention that is being drawn by the most favored hatchback segment is on the rise once again in the Indian market. Stepping in again with the refreshed best selling hatch, Volkswagen knowingly has planned big for the launch of its Polo 1.2L TSI Turbocharged in the Indian market. Volkswagen boasts that the all new Polo 1.2L TSI will be the first hatch in the Indian market to feature a double-clutch gearbox. To add to it, the new 1.2L TSI Polo will also exhibit a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox that will result in smooth and quicker gear changes. As per the company sources, the previous 1.6L petrol variant will be replaced by the all new 1.2L TSI flagship for Polo range. Also, the TSI version of Volkswagen Polo is boasted to be marketed as “Polo GT” in the Indian market. The all new Volkswagen Polo features a 1.2L TSI engine that is likely to average a maximum healthy output of 105 bhp of power. It also gives 175 Nm of peak torque when paired with a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox. In order to distinguish the GT edition from normal Polo in terms of looks, 1.2L TSI Polo has adapted a similar body kit like that of recent Polo SR version. The new hatch will feature few TSI and GT badges along with dual tone interiors and brushed metal floor pedals. The main and sole reason for the launch of 1.2L TSI Polo is that the previous 1.6L petrol variant of Polo could not impress the buyers who wanted a petrol based car in India. Though the previous edition was quick in delivering power, it ran on an engine similar to that of Vento which made it look like a small car exhibiting a relatively big engine. It didn’t quite suit the Indian buyers’ taste and eventually couldn’t perform well in the hatchback segment. Volkswagen Polo GT will be in direct competition with the current favored hatch of India, the Fiat Punto 90HP. Fiat Punto 90HP proves to be low on power while on the other hand being available in a diesel variant is a plus point. With not much to worry about, the all new Polo GT is expected to sweep the market off the ground with its Direct Shift Gearbox. Serving as the perfect recipe that the majority of Indian buyers would want to taste, belonging to a niche car market seems to be the only drawback with 1.2L TSI Polo. Apart from this, the success of 1.2L TSI Polo is completely dependent on the pricing strategy that Volkswagen India will follow. If the price range of the all new Polo soars high, it is but obvious that the Polo GT will not sell in colossal volumes. Drop in sales is not the only issue that Volkswagen India might have to face because of pricing strategy. There is a possibility that the youth of India who are currently being targeted or Polo GT, might distract away. This can also lead in providing the competitors a huge opportunity to fill in the gap. The entire proposition is based solely on the pricing strategy that Volkswagen India is going to adapt.