Isn?t it nice to see how some auto majors are getting technologies from high-end cars and planting the same into the sub-R10 lakh models? This year saw a few such models and, of these, three have come from Volkswagen, which, after launching the Polo GT TSI and the Polo GT TDI, recently launched the Vento GT TSI. We drove it at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida to find out how it fares.
On the outside, the Vento GT TSI is hard to distinguish from the ?regular? Vento. The primary changes are the ?lakeside? 185/60 R15 alloy wheels, halogen headlamps with black finish, chrome finish on trunk and fog light surrounds. While inside the car gets leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, illuminated trunk and chrome trim.
Under the hood, Volkswagen has now cut the engine capacity by 400cc, but this doesn?t mean loss of power. Because it is a turbocharged engine, this 1.2-litre motor produces 105ps of power and 175Nm of torque. But the best thing about the car is its gearbox?the Vento GT TSI gets the high-tech 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which also contributes to better fuel economy. Volkswagen claims an ARAI-certified mileage of 16.93 kmpl per litre. We took 8 laps in the car at the BIC and found it quite peppy. As soon as you floor the accelerator pedal, the DSG springs into action and changes gears at exactly the right time the engine demands. And because it is a dual-clutch box, gear shifts are seamless. The Vento GT TSI touches 0-100 kmph in just a shade under 11 seconds and has a top speed of 185 kmph. And in the 40-100 kmph kickdown (fully depressing the accelerator), we recorded a time of under 9 seconds.
Now, because there is an increased performance, the Vento GT TSI also comes with safety features such as anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stabilisation programme (ESP), hill-hold function, dual frontal airbags and electronic engine immobiliser.
Priced at R9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Vento GT TSI can be a car of choice for the discerning buyer. But the problem is, the Vento GT TSI looks quite similar to the ?regular? Vento. While we simply love the DSG gearbox, we would have appreciated more changes on the outside.
