Volkswagen India to launch 4 new models in next 2 years

Volkswagen will introduce at least four new products in India over the next two years, including a new SUV, a premium sedan and luxury hatchback, as the German car maker plans to make India its low-cost manufacturing base.

Volkswagen had recently revealed plans to invest Rs1,500 crore in India to develop its production base to cater to both the emerging and developed markets.

The proposed models include a Polo-based compact Saloon, Beetle, Passat (B8) and the Tiguan compact crossover, media reports said.

Volkswagen is looking at entering the sub-4 metre market, which is currently ruled by Maruti Suzuki's Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent and a few more. VW is yet to name the proposed car, but the decision stands.

VW India will also launch a big SUV to take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. The next generation Tiguan SUV will make its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, while the India launch is expected in second half of 2016.

The new Tiguan will be based on the flexible MQB platform that also underpins the Audi A3 and will be used to build the next Polo hatchback and future VWs, Audis and Skodas.

The new VW Tiguan SUV will probably be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI motor that also powers the VW Passat. This engine offers three states of tunes- 150PS, 190PS and a twin turbo 240PS. The transmission options will be a six-speed manual or a DSG automatic. While the former will send power to front wheels of the SUV, while the dual-clutch gearbox will drive the power to all-4 wheels.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is expected to be priced in the range of Rs25-30 lakh.

Volkswagen India reported 17.77-per cent increase in sales at 3,572 units in April, against the 3,033 units it sold in the same month last year.

Sales were boosted by recent launches of the new Jetta and Vento Magnific, and hatchback Polo, Volkswagen India said in a statement.