2014 Volkwagen Vento to launch in September

Volkswagen India has received a significant response for the newly introduced 2014 Volkswagen Polo facelift hatchback, and now wants to use this momentum to push its other mass market product – the Volkswagen Vento mid-sized sedan.

Although the build quality, fit finish and solid ride of the current Vento is much appreciated, it did not manage to rake in the high sales numbers. The interiors of the Volkswagen were impressive, but it could not outshine the more attractive cabin design of its competitors like the Hyundai Verna or the new Honda City. The Vento also lagged behind in terms of features and equipment compared to its rivals. Volkswagen did try to score by introducing better equipped Volkswagen Vento special editions, but received lukewarm response.

And now the German automobile manufacturer is taking no shortcuts and is ready to introduce a distinctly upgraded version of the sedan. The 2014 Volkswagen Vento will have substantial changes under the skin too, as seen on the 2014 Volkswagen Polo and will be launched in September 2014.

Visibly the new Vento might not look very different from the older one, but it will get re-profile headlight which will enhance the character of the car quite a bit. Other cosmetic changes will include a muscular new front bumper with a chrome highlights. Even the rear will get a stylish new bumper and the tail lamps will also get some tweaking.

The proportions of the 2014 Volkswagen Vento will remain unchanged, as the sedan already offered decent cabin room. But overall the cabin design is said to be revised and made more airy than before, using new fabric and upholstery combinations. The dashboard and centre console will get new brushed metal accents and the car will get a new multi functional display in the instrument console. There will be other changes, too, to liven up the interiors, like a sporty new flat-bottom steering wheel with new buttons for audio system and trip meter.

Dumping the older 1.6-litre motors, the Volkswagen Vento facelift will use a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel unit, which also powers the 2014 Volkswagen Polo. Many Vento owners were not too happy with the diesel engine clatter, the older 1.6-litre motor made, so to address this issue Volkswagen has made the smaller new engine more refined and quieter than before. At the same time, the new 1.5-litre oil-burner will produce a flatter torque curve, making it a lot better to drive than before, delivering instant power and improved mid-range. The engine will come paired with a 5-speed manual and the much needed six-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The petrol variant will use the same 1.6-litre unit which is found on the current VW Vento, producing around 105PS and 153Nm and mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Volkswagen will also launch the updated 2014 Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI with a 7-speeed automatic transmission.

Since refinement is vital in this segment, Volkswagen is also working on improving the sound insulation to keep the cabin free of road and wheel noise. On the lines of the 2014 Volkswagen Polo, the 2014 Volkswagen Vento facelift will be introduced without a hike in price and will retail between Rs 7.61 to 10.30 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).