This Is What The Next Volkswagen Vento For India Could Look Like

• The new Vento for Russia is based on the outdated PQ25 platform.
• It is powered by two petrol engine options - 1.6-litre MPI and 1.4-litre TSI.
• The India-spec sedan will be based on the MQB A0-IN platform instead.

Earlier this month, Volkswagen teased the new Vento sedan for Russia through multiple sketches. Now, the German carmaker has revealed the new sedan completely. It features an all-new design and is based on the same platform as the Russia-spec Skoda Rapid. So is this the sedan that’s set to come to India next year? 

Straight off the bat, we’d like to inform you that this Vento (called the Polo sedan in Russia) is not underpinned by VW’s modular MQB-A0 platform. Instead, it is based on the older PQ25 platform that underpins the new Skoda Rapid sold in Russia. In fact, this is the same platform that underpins the current-gen Polo, Vento as well as the Skoda Rapid sold in India. And since Volkswagen India has explicitly stated that its new cars for India will be based on the localised MQB A0-IN platform, we can confidently say that the sedan you see on your screen will not make it to our shores. This will more likely be a standalone model exclusive to the Russian market.  

The Russia-spec Vento features a new design which is in line with the recent Volkswagen models. There’s even a big grille connected to a set of twin-pod headlamps. However, the biggest change is the switch to a notchback design like the Skoda Octavia. This, VW says, also frees up more boot space. It’s now rated at 550-litres, which is an improvement of 90 litres. However, it remains to be seen if this notchback design make it to the India-spec model. The rest of the design is typical Volkswagen - clean lines and a tidy rear end with LED tail lamps. In comparison to the current Vento, the new sedan is 93mm longer and 13mm higher as well.

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The cabin gets some fresh changes with a novel layout and design complemented by the 6.5- or 8.25-inch touchscreen displays as well as the 10.25-inch instrument cluster. Although the same car might not come to India, we might see some of these elements in the India-spec Vento. And we like what we see thanks to the clean, uncluttered design. 

Engine options on offer with the Russia-spec sedan include a  1.6-liter petrol (MPI) motor that produces 90/110PS as well as a 125PS 1.4-liter turbo-petrol (TSI). These engines will be paired with a 6-speed DSG or a 5-speed manual.

While Russia has received the new Vento (Polo sedan), we’ll have to wait until next year for ours. As mentioned before, the 2021 Vento will be based on the MQB-A0 IN platform. It is likely to be offered with VW’s 1.0-litre TSI engine that was showcased at Auto Expo 2020. This motor is good enough for 115PS of power and 200Nm of torque. VW could also give it the more potent 1.5-litre TSI EVO with 130PS of power and 200Nm of torque, too. When launched, the VW Vento will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, the next-gen Honda City, the facelifted Hyundai Verna as well as its Czech cousin - the Skoda Rapid.