The Polo Robust embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptability. Designed and tested alongside farmers, this crossover-esque derivative promises to tackle rough terrains with ease, echoing the robustness demanded by its intended audience. Central to its capabilities is a raised suspension, offering superior ground clearance.

Yet, it's not just about conquering challenging landscapes. Understanding the practical needs of its users, Volkswagen Brazil has integrated thoughtful features into the Polo Robust. Vinyl seats, a staple of utilitarian vehicles, ensure effortless cleaning after a demanding day's work on the farm. Complementing this functionality are rubber floor mats, ensuring durability and resilience against mud, dirt, and whatever else the elements throw its way.

But functionality isn't compromised for comfort. Despite its rugged exterior, the Polo Robust remains true to its heritage with a touch of refinement. Moreover, the inclusion of a trailer hitch hints at its utility beyond daily commutes, enabling owners to transport essentials with ease.

Under the hood lies a modest yet efficient 1.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine, delivering 84 horsepower and 101 Nm of torque. Paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, the Polo Robust promises a balanced blend of performance and fuel efficiency, ideally suited for both urban jaunts and rural escapades.

Source

The leaked images are of the Polo R trim. However, the ‘R’ badge is not identical to the R Line badge seen on other VW cars. Talking of the changes, the facelifted model gets revised headlamps with new LED DRLs, redesigned grille, and a new bumper to make the front face look fresh. Over to the sides, the leaked images show the facelifted Polo with Golf R Line inspired alloy wheels. But the high ride height suggests that it isn’t the high-performance R Line trim of the Polo. Around the rear, the changes include revised tail lamps along with a new glow pattern. The rear bumper is new as well.

On the inside, things look similar to the outgoing model. The dashboard layout hardly boasts of any changes, except for the new logo on the steering wheel. The feature list comprises of a 9.5-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, multi-function steering wheel, keyless entry & go and more.

Based on the MWB A0 platform, the MK6 VW Polo is offered with a 1.0L turbo-petrol motor that also does duties on the India-spec car. Although, it is offered in multiple states of tunes. Also, VW India is planning to replace the MK5 Polo with a new model. It is expected to be based on the MWB A0 IN platform to keep the costs in check while donning the same styling cues as the MK6 Polo. Well, it’ll be exciting to see the decade-old Polo getting a significant update.

Hyundai i20

In its new avatar, the Hyundai i20 comes with features loaded to the brim. It replaces the older gen Elite i20 and establishes itself as a true premium hatchback with features like Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity system that comes along with 50+ connected features along with OTA updates. The car also benefits from a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. Also on offer, on the top-spec Asta (O) trim is a digital instrument cluster, a 7 speaker Bose sound system, sunroof, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more.

But what's more important is the fact that it gets two automatic gearbox options to suit your needs, both with the 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 87 bhp and 115 Nm of torque. There's a CVT unit in four variants, while there's also a DCT gearbox for performance aficionados in 4 variants. However, if you are the one who considers the newly launched iMT (intelligent manual transmission) as an automatic gearbox, the good news is i20 also gets this gearbox in multiple variants.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

The next model in our list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India is none other than the Maruti Suzuki Swift, which is the best selling hatchback of India for four years in a row. Maruti recently launched the updated version of Swift, now in its third generation with changes coming in the form of a brand new engine and a handful of exterior and interior changes to keep it fresh in the portfolio. The talking point of the Swift is a brand new engine in the form of a K12 series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with an idle start-stop function. Simply put, the same 1.2-litre engine will now return a higher fuel efficiency of 23.20-kmpl in manual transmission and 23.76-kmpl when paired with the AMT gearbox. The power figures have also bumped by 7 bhp to 89 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

In terms of cosmetic changes, the 2021 Swift features a new chrome stripe on the single-piece front grille which now has a mesh pattern. Other highlights include a dual-tone exterior shade, projector headlights, LED DRLs, 15-inch precision-cut alloy wheels, floating roof effect are to be carried over from the current model. On the inside, the cabin gets silver ornamentation and a twin-pod instrument cluster with a coloured 4.2-inch TFT display. The new Swift now also ships with cruise control, idle start-stop function, and key synchronised auto-foldable ORVMs.

Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo has been a potent competitor in the performance and premium hatchback segment of India. Prices for the car starts at INR 6.01 lakh and goes up to INR 9.92 lakh* for the top-rung variant. While the car is known for its timeless design and driving fun, it also gets an automatic gearbox to suit the premium bunch. The car comes in four variants including the Trendline, Comfortline, Highline Plus, and GT. At its heart, the car gets an option between a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 75 PS and 95 Nm and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol motor making 110 PS and 175 Nm. While the former is mated to a 5-speed MT, the latter can be paired with either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT.

In terms of features, the car comes with premium features like cruise control, auto AC with rear AC vents, rain-sensing wipers, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Similarly, its safety net comes equipped with rear parking sensors and dual front airbags. In India, the car goes up against the likes of Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Glanza, Tata Altroz, and the Honda Jazz.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Another Hyundai on our list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India is the Grand i10 Nios, an ever-popular badge in the hatchback segment in India. Hyundai recently updated the Nios, making the package a lot more attractive with modern features and laudable powertrain options. More importantly, it ships with an AMT transmission in the car 1.2-litre petrol engine that delivers 82 bhp and 114 Nm of torque.

The i10 Nios offers first-in-segment features like a wireless phone charger, 7.9-inch touch screen infotainment system - a multi-media system equipped with smartphone connectivity - Android Auto, Apple Car Play, voice recognition function along with i-Blue smartphone app support. It also features the Arkamys Premium Sound System with four modes to choose from – Natural, Live, Lounge and Club. Safety features in the car come in the form of driver and passengers airbags and seat belt warning.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Last on the list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India is the premium hatchback Baleno from the maker of Swift - Maruti Suzuki. The Baleno can be bought in four trims – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. Under the hood, the Baleno is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol unit that generates 84 bhp and 140 Nm of torque. The engine gets a five-speed manual as standard, while there's also a CVT gearbox option. Interestingly, Baleno is the only Maruti product to get a CVT gearbox. The rest either gets AMT or AT options. The car is priced at INR 5.70 lakh* in India.

On the inside, the Baleno now gets black interiors with premium blue contrast detailing. On offers are a dual-tone seat fabric design and an upgraded next-generation Smartplay Studio connected infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The device also informs about low fuel, parking brake, etc. Standard safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts and rear parking sensors are standard.

So, which of these models in our list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India appeals the most to you?

*Ex-showroom prices.

Price

The new BS6 VW Polo AT has been priced at INR 9.67 lakh* whereas the BS6 VW Vento AT will set you back by INR 12.99 lakh*.

Bookings & Deliveries

The bookings for both the new Volkswagen cars have already commenced. Interested buyers can use VW's 360-degree online retail experience available on the company's official website to make a reservation of the two new cars. The deliveries are said to begin from 15 September.

Engine

Both the BS6 VW Polo AT and BS6 VW Vento AT share a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine which has been tuned to churn out 110 PS of maximum power and 175 Nm of peak torque. Of course, both cars get the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Fuel Economy

Volkswagen has also released information regarding the fuel economy of both the new cars. The BS6 VW Polo AT would be able to give a fuel efficiency of up to 16.47 km/l. On the other hand, the BS6 VW Vento AT should be able to cover 16.35 kms in a litre of fuel. These are ARAI certified figures.

Also Read: 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift with several new features revealed

Key Features

In terms of aesthetics, both the new Polo and Vento are similar to their other respective variants. However, there are some key features of these cars. The BS6 VW Polo AT comes equipped with black ORVMs, GTI-inspired seats and black rear spoiler, that differentiates it from other variants. It also has dual airbags. On the other hand, customers will get a set of LED headlamps and 4 airbags in the new BS6 VW Vento AT.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Volkswagen updates and other four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom

The VW Polo TSI edition and VW Vento TSI edition don’t have much to offer over the regular VW Polo and VW Vento respectively in terms of features. But they're still much more attractive offerings comparatively, which you'll come to know why towards the end of the story.

The TSI edition is based on the Highline Plus variant of the regular cars. Its most special feature is exclusive body side graphics. Save for the body side graphics, the styling of the TSI edition is very similar to actually that of the GT variant in case of the VW Polo and the discontinued GT Line variant in case of the VW Vento. The other highlights include a honeycomb grille, TSI badge across the passenger doors, black ORVMs, gloss black roof and gloss black rear spoiler.

The VW Polo TSI edition and VW Vento TSI edition have no mechanical changes from the respective regular models. Both employ an EA 211 1.0-litre TSI engine. This BS6 turbocharged three-cylinder mill produces a maximum power of 110 PS at 5,000-5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 175 Nm at 1,750-4,000 rpm. It can be had with only a 6-speed manual transmission. The hatchback has a fuel economy rating of 18.24 km/l and the sedan has a fuel economy rating of 17.69 km/l.

Volkswagen launched the BS6 Polo and BS6 Vento last month. However, it disclosed the fuel economy ratings of only the BS6 Polo, and that too for only those configurations equipped with a manual transmission. Now we finally know the mileage of the BS6 Vento equipped with the manual transmission now, although we are still waiting for the fuel efficiency figures of the BS6 Polo automatic and BS6 Vento automatic.

The VW Polo TSI edition retails at INR 7.89 lakh*, which makes it INR 13,000 cheaper than its base car, the VW Polo TSI Highline Plus (INR 8.02 lakh*). The VW Vento TSI edition has been priced at INR 10.99 lakh*, which marks a savings of a whopping INR 1 lakh over its base car, the VW Vento Highline Plus (INR 11.99 lakh*).

Also Read: Volkswagen planning sub-4 metre SUV & next-gen Polo for India

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Volkswagen updates and other four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom

Speaking to The Economic Times recently, Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen (India), said: “If you come to India (and) want to be successful in hatchbacks, you have to be sub-4 metre.” He called the Polo the “backbone” of the brand in our market.

Knapp also said that Volkswagen is considering a sub-4 metre SUV and more models based on the India-specific MQB A0 IN platform. One of the other models is an all-new Polo. While the world moved to the sixth-gen Polo in June 2017, India is still stuck with the fifth-gen Polo that was unveiled back in March 2009.

The problem with bringing the Mk6 VW Polo to India initially was that it is based on the MQB A0 platform and that it is longer than 4,000 mm in length, 4,053 mm to be specific. While the problem with the platform has been fixed now with an Indianised, low-cost version - MQB A0 IN, trimming the length and redesigning the front and/or rear fascia(s) just for India would still be a very costly affair.

Also Read: VW sub-4 metre SUV based on 2021 VW Taigun’s platform to debut in November

In case of the Mk6 VW Polo, the Indian subsidiary seems to have missed the bus. Until the end of 2021, no sub-4 metre model is going to be launched. In 2022 or later, the Mk6 VW Polo will likely be just a year or two away from the end of its lifecycle and would be too outdated to be launched. So, maybe we will get the Mk7 VW Polo directly.

[Source: auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com]

With the BS-VI upgrade the 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, 1.5-litre TDI turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission options of the VW Polo have been discontinued. On the plus side, its equipment now includes heat-insulating glass, which should make it more summer-friendly.

The BS-VI VW Polo is available with an upgraded version of the 1.0-litre MPI naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine that produced 76 PS and 95 Nm of torque in the BS-IV version as well as a new 1.0-litre TSI engine. The latter is a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit good for 110 PS and 175 Nm of torque.

The 1.0-litre MPI engine was offered with a 5-speed manual transmission in the BS-IV VW Polo. In the BS-VI VW Polo, it comes linked to a 6-speed manual transmission. The 1.0-litre TSI engine can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission depending on the variant.

The VW Vento has seen the discontinuation of the 1.6-litre MPI naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol, 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, 1.5-litre TDI turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission options with the BS-VI transition. Its equipment also comprises heat-insulating glass now.

Under the hood, the aforementioned BS-VI 1.0-litre TSI engine is standard now. It can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission depending on the variant.

Also Read: VW T-Roc India launch: Colours, features and specifications leaked

BS-VI VW Polo and BS-VI VW Vento - Prices*

*Ex-showroom

Also, as a part of the campaign, Volkswagen will offer a miniature Volkswagen Hot Wheels model to the prospective customers taking test drives of the VW cars. The brand recently went into a tie-up with toymaker Mattel India. Select variants of Polo, Vento and the Ameo will be available with benefits including cash discounts, exchange bonus, loyalty benefits, extended warranty and roadside assistance (RSA).

The company is already offering a four year warranty period on its petrol vehicles since January 2019, and the diesel vehicles come with a five-year warranty plan since September 2019. The Volksfest 2019 will allow the customers to avail a maximum benefit of INR 1.8 lakh on the Vento Highline Diesel variant. All Ameo variants are being offered with a loyalty bonus of INR 20,000.

Select VW dealers in India are offering benefits up to INR 1.7 lakh on the Vento Highline Plus DSG variant. This includes INR 1.50 lakh cash discount and INR 20,000 exchange bonus. The VW Ameo DSG Highline Plus variant is available at cash discount up to INR 1.17 lakh and an additional exchange bonus of INR 20,000. At the same time, the VW Polo is being offered with benefits up to INR 1 lakh, including INR 80,000 discount and INR 20,000 exchange bonus. The VW Passat, the VW Tiguan and the new VW GT Line models do not attract any kind of offers or discounts.

Also Read: 2020 VW Golf (VW Golf Mk8) leaked via spy pics from TVC shoot

For the festive season, Volkswagen has also brought new engagement exercises and activation zones to enhance customer interaction at its dealerships.

[Discount Info Source - Mycarhelpline]

Volkswagen India has also introduced a 5-year warranty and 5-year roadside assistance on its models for greater customer satisfaction. While the Tiguan will be eligible for the warranty and RSA plan only in its Corporate Edition. But that's not just it, as depending on the model, the Corporate Edition features several purchase benefits, vehicle servicing, accessories as well as loyalty benefits. Speaking of which, the Polo Corporate Edition is available with benefits of up to INR 25,000 over the ex-showroom price. These benefits comprise corporate discount up to INR 10,000*, loyalty benefits up to INR 10,000*, exchange benefits up to INR 5,000*. The Polo diesel is priced from INR 7.34 lakh*.

The Ameo Corporate Edition is available with benefits of up to INR 40,000. These benefits comprise corporate discount up to INR 25,000*, loyalty benefits up to INR 5,000*, and exchange benefits up to INR 10,000*. The Ameo diesel is priced from INR 7.11 lakh*.

While the Vento Corporate Edition is offered with benefits of up to INR 30,000*. These benefits include corporate discount up to INR 20,000*, loyalty benefits up to INR 5,000* and exchange benefits up to INR 5,000*. The Vento diesel is priced from entry-level Trendline diesel INR 9.58 lakh*.

The VW Tiguan Corporate Edition being a premium and high priced model gets maximum benefits of a whopping INR 2,00,000*. These benefits include corporate discount up to INR 1,25,000*, loyalty benefits up to INR 50,000* and exchange benefits up to INR 25,000*. The Tiguan diesel is priced from INR 28.14 lakh*.

Also Read: After old Golf GTI, Volkswagen considering next-gen Golf GTI for India

All corporate individuals as well as organisations across industries are eligible to the above benefits on the VW models. These Corporate Edition models will be available at company's 132 dealerships across India. The company previously introduced the Ameo GT Line in the country at INR 9.99 lakh*.

*Ex-showroom

“We are the biggest player globally in CNG. Depending on the infrastructure, we can do this very fast (in India),” Steffen Knapp, director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, told ET Auto.

Knapp said, if the government decides for adoption of CNG vehicles by setting up more CNG fuel stations across the county, buys a larger number of CNG vehicles for its fleet and increase the CNG supply in the country, it will make a more favorable business case for Volkswagen to invest in the CNG vehicles in India. He also mentioned that in order to succeed in any segment in India, high localisation level is mandatory, and it will not be feasible for the company to invest in any new technology in the country until the government has strong policies to support the trend.

Previously, Maruti Suzuki made headlines by announcing the withdrawal from diesel engines. India's largest car maker also communicated that it sees CNG is a viable option and hence all its small cars will be introduced with CNG options in the future.

Also Read: New VW Polo (facelift) and new VW Vento (facelift) launched in India

At present majority of the cars sold by VW in India are petrol-powered. The company will offer a diesel engine in its models in only the imports beyond March 2020.

“Our future lies in petrol,” said Knapp.

[Source: ETAuto]

Counting down the cosmetic updates, both the cars get new honeycomb-mesh grille, sharper front bumper and tweaked tail lights. The new look is inspired by that of the VW Polo GTI that is no longer on sale. The higher-spec variants of both the cars also get gunmetal-finish alloy wheels.

With the MY2019 update, the VW Polo and VW Vento now feature Volkswagen Connect (connectivity suite) on the Highline Plus and above trims. For the uninitiated, the Volkswagen Connect (connectivity suite) is a dongle based connectivity suite which permits trip tracking, driver behavior and statistic tracking, location sharing and fuel cost monitoring of the VW cars through a dedicated mobile phone application.

In terms of safety features, a seat-belt reminder system, rear parking sensors and a speed alert system are now standard. These features come in addition to the already present dual airbags and ABS safety features which were already standard across the range in both the cars.

Also Read: 2020 VW Golf (VW Golf Mk8) leaked via spy pics from TVC shoot

In terms of mechanicals, the cars remain untouched. The 2019 VW Polo range continues to be offered with the 76 PS 1.0-litre MPI petrol and the 90 PS 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine options. The Polo GT comes with the 105 PS 1.2-litre TSI petrol and 110 PS 1.5-litre TDI carried over engine options. The 2019 VW Vento derives its power from the same old 105 PS 1.6-litre MPI petrol, 105 PS 1.2-litre TSI petrol and 110PS 1.5-litre TDI diesel engines.

*ex-showroom, pan-India

The once-again-facelifted VW Polo GT seen here is painted in a new cherry red colour. The new car embodies subtle changes with cues borrowed from the discontinued GTI variant. It features similar honeycomb grille and a similarly designed sharp bumper. Changes include sporty underbody spoilers and tweaked tail lamps as well. The latter are the same units as the ones of the facelifted fifth-gen model that was sold in Europe. The 16-inch alloys have also been updated with a grey finish.

The VW Polo GT is currently available in 1.2L TSI petrol engine-7-speed DSG AT and 1.5L TDI diesel engine-5-speed MT combinations. The petrol engine delivers 105 PS of maximum power and 175 Nm of peak torque. The diesel engine delivers 110 PS and 250 Nm of peak torque. By March 2020, these BS-IV engines will be collectively replaced by a locally manufactured, BS-VI 1.0L TSI petrol engine.

Also read: 2020 VW Golf (VW Golf Mk8) leaked via spy pics from TVC shoot

The new VW Polo GT will come with an updated list of creature comforts and convenience features which will keep it relevant and at par with its segment rivals. It will be safer, too, thanks to high-speed alert system.

[Source: Team-BHP]

With the second facelift, Volkswagen will introduce a number of cosmetic updates to the Polo and the Vento. For starters, spy shots have shown that the Polo now flaunts a sharper looking front bumper, similar to that of the GTI variant, and new honeycomb grille which sits at the place of earlier used twin chrome slat grille. It also gets tweaked tail lamps which will be part LEDs. The Vento now sports similar front bumper, new honeycomb mesh pattern grille, a cutout for the VW logo at the bonnet and the Vento Cup Edition's alloy wheels and a faux diffuser.

The new cars will also come with a longer list of creature comforts, safety and convenience features which will keep the package relevant and at par with the competition.

The VW Polo is currently available with a 1.0L MPI naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.2L TSI turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5L TDI turbocharged diesel engine. The VW Vento is offered with a 1.2L TSI turbocharged petrol engine, a 1.6L MPI naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5L TDI turbocharged diesel engine.

All the aforementioned engines are BS-IV compliant and reports suggest they are not going to be upgraded to BS-VI. A locally manufactured, BS-VI compliant 1.0L TSI turbocharged petrol engine in 95 PS and 115 PS versions is expected to replace them. However, whether that will happen with the second mid-cycle update or closer to March 2020 remains to be seen.

Also Read: 2020 VW Golf (VW Golf Mk8) leaked via spy pics from TVC shoot

The old VW Polo retails in the range of INR 5.71-9.72 lakh* and locks horns with Hyundai Elite i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The old VW Vento is price at INR 8.64-14.34 lakh* and faces tough competition from Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and Hyundai Verna, along with a few more.

*Ex-showroom, pan-India

[Image Source: zigwheels]

VW Polo

It has been almost nine years since the Volkswagen marked its entry in volume-oriented segments with the Polo hatchback. With the best in segment build quality and decent engine options and features in and out, the Polo became a default choice for those who wanted the built-to-last feel of a premium car in a B-segment hatchback.

However, it has been almost ten years of the existence of VW Polo in India, and save for very minor changes to bumpers and headlamps as well as feature addition in and out, the car has remained completely unchanged. The Indian-spec VW Polo hasn’t underwent major sheet metal changes in the last ten years, which now makes it look dated. An all-new, sixth-gen VW Polo exists, and it is on sale internationally. However, because of its MQB platform which hasn't been localised here and the length exceeding 4,000 mm, it is not planned for launch in our market.

Instead of launching the sixth-gen Polo in India, Volkswagen will give the fifth-gen Polo another facelift in our market, and that too very soon. The company will introduce a new, 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine manufactured locally in this car. The new engine will be locally manufactured and likely replace the existing 1.0L MPI petrol, 1.2L TSI petrol and 1.5L TDI diesel engines.

VW Vento

Soon after the Polo, Volkswagen tried to cement its position in India with its second volume-oriented product, the Vento, a B-segment sedan based on the same platform as that of the Polo but with a stretched wheelbase, in 2010.

Just like the VW Polo, the VW Vento hasn’t witnessed a full model change even after nine years in India. Another minor model change is on the way, likely with the same new 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine as the yet-to-be-launched facelifted VW Polo. Internationally, there was a replacement in 2017 in the form of Virtus. However, the VW Virtus also happens to be an MQB model, and so, it hasn't been launched in our market.

Nissan Micra

One of the lowest selling hatchbacks in the Indian market, the Nissan Micra is out of the radar of many prospective buyers. This is particularly due to the fact that the hatchback is now a seriously dated proposition in front of the current crop of modern generation hatchbacks.

The fourth-gen Nissan Micra has been in our market for over nine years now. Facelifted back in 2014, it has remained unchanged in the last five years, save for a rejig of features across variants and introduction of a couple of limited edition variants. The drab-looking interiors and limited features of the old model put off many people. Moreover, it's very pricey compared to competitors, which are new and better.

Internationally, the fifth-gen Nissan Micra was introduced in 2016 but as it has been ruled-out for our market. This model is based on the V-platform like, just like its predecessor. There were rumours about a CMF-A+ platform-based fifth-gen Nissan Micra for our market in 2017. The launch of this model was said to take place in 2019, but that seems unlikely now.

The old Nissan Micra is available with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (77 PS/104 Nm) linked to a 5-speed MT or a CVT and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine (64 PS/160 Nm) paired with a 5-speed MT.

Nissan Sunny

There was a time when Nissan Sunny revolutionised the sub-compact sedan segment. By offering the space and comfort of a compact segment sedan at the price of a sub-compact sedan, the Nissan Sunny offered a sheer value for money package. The incredible VFM factor made it an instant hit when it was launched in India almost eight years ago.

Except for one mid-life facelift, there, the Nissan Sunny has remained as is, and currently is the slowest-selling sedan in India right now. Despite its humongous space levels on the inside giving it a big car feel, the below-average ambience and dated design do make the India-spec Nissan Sunny a not so appealing proposition. The facelift did try to infuse some premium appeal in the car with added doses of chrome and a couple of new features, but the fact that no sheet metal changes have been carried out makes the Nissan Sunny pale in today’s times.

In April this year, Nissan unveiled the all-new Versa, which, as per the history of the nameplate, should have translated to the all-new Sunny for India. Like the previous generation model, the new generation model is based on the V-platform. In 2017, a CMF-A+ platform-based new generation model was said to be launched in India in 2018. However, there have been no developments since then.5

Renault Duster

The first-gen Renault Duster that was introduced back in 2010 continues in our market even today. Recently, it was given a second facelift, but the age still shows. In the highly competitive premium B-SUV segment, the first-gen Renault Duster seems very outdated now. Internationally, a second-gen model was introduced in 2017, but it's reportedly being skipped for our market.

Renault has tried to infuse some amount of freshness in the Duster by tweaking the front fascia as well as bringing in a couple of new features like projector headlamps and daytime running LEDs. However, the fact that engine options as well as overall styling on the outside as well as inside remains unchanged is a bit disappointing.

The once-again facelifted Renault Duster will continue to be on sale until the third-gen model is ready next decade. It can be had with a 1.5-litre petrol engine (106 PS/142 Nm) is linked to a 5-speed MT or a CVT, or a 1.5-litre diesel engine (85 PS/200 Nm or 110 PS/245 Nm) paired with a 6-speed MT or 6-speed AMT. An AWD system is optional.

Kia Rio

Kia might have fixed its focus on the utility vehicle segments for the Indian market, but the one product which has certainly has the potential to bring in volumes is the Rio premium hatchback.

The second biggest hatchback from Kia’s global lineup, the Rio is actually based on the Hyundai i20, and it is quite evident from the way it looks. The silhouette of the Kia Rio is very similar to that of the Hyundai i20. The front and rear fascias are completely different. The Kia Rio measures 4,065 mm of length, 1,725 mm of width and 1,450 mm of height. It has a 2,580 mm wheelbase. The Hyundai i20, in comparison, is 3,985 mm long, 1,734 mm wide and 1,505 mm tall. It has a 2,570 mm wheelbase.

Like its mechanical cousin from Hyundai, the Kia Rio is generously equipped with premium features. While on the outside it has bi-projection headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, electric sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels, the interior is equipped with automatic climate control, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and leather upholstery.

Internationally, the Kia Rio is available with four engine options, all of which are offered in even the Hyundai i20 - 120 PS 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol petrol, 84 PS 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 100 PS 1.4-litre petrol and 90 PS 1.4-litre turbocharged diesel.

Ford Fiesta

While the Indian public got a chance to experience the fifth and sixth generations of Fiesta in its sedan form, Ford never launched the Fiesta hatchback in the Indian market. One of the best cars in its category as far as driving dynamics are concerned, the Fiesta is currently in its seventh generation globally.

Talking about the latest iteration of Ford Fiesta, the premium hatchback indeed looks sporty, with a hexagonal grille, sleek headlamps and an upswept design from the sides towards the rear.

However, the changes are much more comprehensive on the inside, with an all-new dashboard and much longer equipment list. The new Ford Fiesta shares a lot with other current-gen Ford offerings, which include a new steering wheel, revised instrument console, a floating type touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system and new buttons for automatic climate control.

The Ford Fiesta always had great engine options, and the latest generation version follows the suit. On offer are three engines – the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit in three states of tune (100 PS/125 PS/140 PS), 1.1-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit in two states of tune (70 PS/85 PS) and a 120 PS 1.5-litre diesel unit.

Fifth-generation Nissan Micra

Yes, the Nissan continues to sell the fourth generation Micra in India in both the pre-facelift (Micra Active) and facelifted version. However, both these versions are nowhere close to the all-new, fifth-gen model – a proper B-segment hatchback which is already on sale globally.

The fifth-gen Nissan Micra is clearly much bigger and has dynamic looks as opposed to the cutesy avatar of the old car, and these make it look much more premium. As far as the exterior styling is concerned, the new Nissan Micra looks very swanky with swooping design for the front bonnet and door panels. With feel-good features like LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof spoiler and boomerang-shaped tail lamps with LED inserts, the Nissan Micra has definitely upped the game when it comes to visual appeal.

On the inside too, the dated looking and oddball circular theme of the previous generation Micra has made way for a much wider and contemporary looking dashboard. The major highlights of the new cabin include colour coded panels, an all-new flat-bottom steering wheel, 7-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a rich-sounding 6-speaker Bose Personal sound system.

And it’s not only the sheet metal changes which make the Nissan Micra an all-new offering. At launch, one diesel and two petrol engines were on offer. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is good enough for producing 90 PS of power and 220 Nm of torque. On the other hand are two petrol engines - a 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine (74 PS/95 Nm) and a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine (90 PS/140 Nm). All the three engines are coupled to a common 5-speed manual gearbox. However, this used to be the options at launch.

At the start of this year, three new combinations were introduced: 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine (100 PS/160 Nm) with 5-speed MT, 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine (100 PS/144 Nm) with CVT and 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine (117 PS/180 Nm) with 6-speed MT. The most powerful engine can offer 20 Nm extra torque with an overboost function. The 100 PS/160 Nm engine is the replacement for the 90 PS/140 Nm engine.

Sixth-gen VW Polo

Volkswagen too has followed the same suit which Nissan follows for the Micra, by selling the previous generation model and keeping the all-new generation model away from India. However, unlike the all-new Nissan Micra which looks completely different from its previous version, the new Polo looks more like a subtle evolution of the previous Polo, which is still on sale in India.

Nevertheless, the sixth-gen VW Polo is based on the manufacturer’s MQB platform, and it is bigger, thus eradicating the previous model’s biggest shortcoming – in cabin space. With sharper lines and inclusion of new features like full-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lamps and a panoramic roof, the new Polo definitely looks more upmarket than ever before.

However, the feeling of upgrade strengthens even more when one steps into the new Volkswagen Polo’s cabin. New feature additions here include an Active Info Display fully-digital instrument cluster, 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, wireless charging and 300-watt Beats Audio sound system.

The versatility of the new sixth-gen VW Polo is higher with the number of engine options on offer – a total of nine of them. The list includes 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol unit in two states of tune (65 PS and 75 PS), 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit in two states of tune (95 PS and 115 PS), 150 PS 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit, 200 PS 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, 90 PS 1.0-litre petrol-CNG engine and 1.6-litre diesel engine in two states of tune (80 PS and 95 PS).

Renault Clio

Renault has been criticised a lot by enthusiasts for not bringing many of its globally acclaimed models to the Indian shores, one of which happens to be the Renault Clio. Europe's best-selling sub-compact hatchback has entered into its fifth generation worldwide, which makes it look even more tempting.

Sitting on the all-new, CMF-B platform, the 2019 Renault Clio is 14 mm shorter than the version it has replaced. However, it is wider and sits lower than the latter, which gives it a sportier stance. Complementing this stance is its curvy design with sharply styled full LED headlamps and C-shaped daytime running LEDs, which has already become a signature element in modern-day Renault cars.

The rear too has been mildly revised with a more rakish windscreen and new LED tail lamps. A lot has changed in the cabin of the Renault Clio as well. The part-digital instrument console, steering wheel and automatic climate control buttons from the Renault Captur have been replaced by all newly designed elements, which make the cabin look a bit more elegant. However, the biggest highlight here is the floating type vertically shaped 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with all the modern smartphone connectivity options.

The Renault Clio is available overseas with a variety of engine options. The most basic engine option is the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine is available in 65 PS/95 Nm and 75 PS/95 Nm versions. Then, there's the slightly more powerful, 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine produces that 100 PS of power and 165 Nm of torque. The most powerful petrol engine is the 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which makes 130 PS of power and 240 Nm of torque. Other engine options include a 1.5-litre diesel engine (in 85 PS/220 Nm and 115 PS/260 Nm versions) and a 1.6-litre petrol-electric mild-hybrid E-TECH engine, with the latter set for launch in 2020.

As visible from the pictures, the new VW Polo sports quite a few cosmetic changes. It now comes with a sharper looking front bumper, new honeycomb grille which replaces the twin chrome slat grille, tweaked tail lamps which are likely to be part LED units. The new VW Vento appears to have the same front bumper inspired by that of the VW Polo GTI, new honeycomb mesh pattern grille, a cutout for the VW logo at the bonnet and the VW Vento Cup Edition's alloy wheels. At the rear, the new model will include a faux diffuser for a sportier styling.

The VW Polo has been on sale with a 1.0-litre MPI naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre TDI turbocharged diesel engine. The VW Vento is available with a 1.6L MPI naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.2L TSI turbocharged petrol and a 1.5L turbocharged diesel engine. These BS-IV units will be replaced by a cleaner, BS-VI 1.0L TSI turbocharged petrol engine. This engine will be manufactured locally. What remains to be seen is if this will happen along with the cosmetic refresh.

Also Read: End of an era: VW Beetle production ends

The VW Polo is priced from INR 5.71 lakh* and the Vento is priced from INR 8.64 lakh*. The second facelift will likely make these cars costlier.

*Ex-showroom

[Source - Zigwheels]

Due to cost concerns and the absurd GST structure that takes the length of cars into consideration, many globally popular hatchbacks never end up coming to India. Here is a list of five such hatchbacks which we badly wish were sold in India.

1. Volkswagen Golf

The Golf might be the most popular and highest selling model for Volkswagen across the world, however, the Indian market is just not the right place for it – that’s what the German auto giant believes. Launched for the very first time back in 1974, the VW Golf has seen seven generations till date, with the eighth one soon to be launched.

The VW Golf will be a much expensive hatchback than what most Indian customers would spend on a hatchback. If launched, it will likely cost no less than INR 15 lakh (ex-showroom). At this price, it will be at par with many premium sedans and SUVs like Hyundai Elantra and Jeep Compass, which makes it least sensible by value for money point of view.

In 2016, it was said that the VW Golf could be brought to India in its hot GTI variant. However, considering the fact that Volkswagen is all set to launch the new eighth generation model, the plan of bringing the Golf GTI seems to have been postponed for an undisclosed duration.

2. Sixth-gen VW Polo

The fifth-gen VW Polo is showing its age in India now, and while the sixth-gen model is already out internationally, it's not coming to India because of its MQB (A0) platform that hasn't been localised here and its 4,000 mm+ length. However, many enthusiasts and prospective premium hatchback buyers were left heartbroken when the news broke that Volkswagen will not bring the all-new sixth generation Polo to the Indian shores.

Bringing the all-new VW Polo will result in a much higher price tag – almost Rs 1-1.5 lakh more than the current crop of premium hatchbacks from other car makers. Instead of bringing the new sixth-gen Polo, Volkswagen will give the old model another facelift Polo in our market. Also, Volkswagen has clearly stated its intention of focusing more on SUVs and premium sedans as compared to hatchbacks in volume based segments.

3. Hyundai i30

The Hyundai i30 is a C-segment hatchback like the VW Golf. The second-gen model was showcased in India, and from that, it was expected that launching it here is under consideration. However, once the third-gen model was out, it was confirmed that this car has been ruled out for our market as there won't be enough demand for it.

Hyundai is currently gunning towards Maruti Suzuki for surpassing it to become the numero uno car maker in India. This is the reason why it is focusing more on volume oriented segments with cars like Santro, Grand i10, i20, Creta, Verna and recently launched Venue. If the company would have decided to launch the i30 here, it would have done so by importing its CKD kits and locally assembling them. This way, it would have ended up costing around INR 15 lakh (ex-showroom) easily.

To make its presence in the premium end of the mass market, Hyundai has already stated that it will go with the market sentiment with more focus on SUVs like Creta and Tucson. However, considering the fact that the company managed to change the dimensions of hatchback space with the launch of i20 almost a decade ago, we would love to see the same with the inclusion of i30 in its line-up here in India.

4. Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Toyota has always remained one manufacturer which has been shy in breaking the norms and bringing in some revolutionary products in the Indian market. Having said that, Toyota has kept many of its aspirational products away from the Indian market in the past, with the Corolla Hatchback being the latest one in the list.

The new generation Toyota Corolla Hatchback sits on the TNGA platform. So, not only is the compact hatchback a niche product for our market, but also a quite sophisticated one. Instead of bringing the Toyota Corolla Hatchback to India, Toyota has already launched the Glanza (rebadged Maruti Suzuki Baleno) as its most premium offering in the hatchback segment. In addition to it, the focus of Toyota is more on launching rebadged versions of various Maruti Suzuki models like Vitara Brezza, Ertiga and Ciaz to strengthen its game in high-volume segments.

5. Kia Ceed

The Kia Ceed is also a compact hatchback like the VW Golf, and if there's any model from this list that has a remote possibility of being launched in India, it's this one. It is being evaluated as a brand-building model for our market.

Kia is considering launching the Ceed hatchback in India exclusively in the sporty GT Line variant. It may import this car in CKD kits and locally assemble them to keep the price as low as possible. Expect the Kia Seltos' 1.4L T-GDI petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DCT in this sporty hatchback in our market. This will likely be the only available configuration here. The pricing could be close to INR 20 lakh (ex-showroom).