[Arjun Reddy]

This is probably going to be the first German sub 4 meter sedan in the world. Is VW finally realising that India is an important market for them? India is a tough market to crack and more than the models it's the after sales network, costs and quality that makes or breaks companies in India.

Couldn't agree more with Viddy. A notch will certainly look much better. Accent viva had probably the best looking rear amongst all the compact sedans.

The only question is, can VW get enough volumes of this car to justify themselves going down the compact sedan route. They need a big presence in tier 2 cities, semi urban/rural space to sell these cars.

They also need to advertise strongly in the semi urban belts. Hardly anyone knows VW in rural India. Car means Maruti.

[Nitthari]

So the compact sedan news is confirmed. Interesting to note that is will not be priced less than 5L. Link to article here.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/47470872.cms

[volkman10]

As to differentiate from its rival, the upcoming VW sub 4m sedan will come with a number of high-end features (for India, anyway), like dual airbags and an automatic transmission, often found only on larger cars (or as options on its rivals).

The sedan will be on the same line as the Polo hatch and Vento to cut costs.

“That’s where we see the better future,” said VW director of passenger cars in India Michael Mayer. “Developing a car takes some time but in this particular case we took a rapid decision…to make it come to market as fast as possible.”

Once the car comes to market, which the new agency said indicates the company’s ambition for export markets. No particular region was pointed out specifically

http://paultan.org/2015/06/30/volksw...edan-in-india/

[RavenAvi]

Volkswagen's upcoming compact sedan, codenamed ICS (Indian Compact Sedan), won't be arriving in India before the 2016 festival season, if a report from ET Auto is to be believed.

After having produced 1 lakh units in India in 2014, the company is targeting 1.25 lakh vehicles this year, company sources said.

The plan is to take production to 1.5 lakh in 2016, with a new Indian compact sedan hitting the market in the festival season of next year to bridge the product action plan before the MQB cars get produced.

Its manufacturing line at Chakan in Maharashtra is expected to be expanded to accommodate the new car.

This compact sedan, known by various names such as Vento CS, Bora, Derby, Polo Plus, etc., could come with the same powertrains as the regular Polo, i.e., a 1.2L petrol motor and a 1.5L diesel powerplant to avail tax benefits.

ET Auto

[volkman10]

Volkswagen compact sedan to get daytime running lamps. The Compact sedan to differentiate in looks from the Polo and Vento.

The Polo is almost four metres and this is where the company’s real challenge lies. So, the new Volkswagen compact sedan will have the wheelbase of the Polo and its front and rear will be trimmed to fit the boot.

The boot size will be about 350 litres and the bumpers are likely to be smaller than the Polo. Volkswagen will be cutting out some space in the engine bay also to just make this sedan under four metres. The new compact sedan will be powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine and the petrols will be two. One will be 1.2-litre naturally aspirated and the second will be turbocharged

http://motoroctane.com/news/18074-vo...-running-lamps

[Vik0728]

Volkswagen compact sedan to get daytime running lamps. The Compact sedan to differentiate in looks from the Polo and Vento.

I personally feel that this will be a bit tricky for the German giant. Why:

- Differentiating from Polo & Vento is a good idea but considering the classy/timeless design of these two machines, I only hope VW does not end up quirky with the sub-4m offering.

- If the design is based on Polo, VW have their work cut out. Its no secret that Polo is designed only for 4 adults. My GT is a special edition though. With me seated at my driving position, only 2 more adults can sit!!

And this will be engineered to get a proper sedan like boot?

- The competition in the sub 4M category is 'Cut-throat' and though VW may offer a premium brand, the leaders (Dzire, Amaze, Aspire, Accent, Zest) offer crazy competition. Just a DRL will get VW nowhere, unless they offer something on par or better than competition.


I only hope VW don't end up diluting the build quality to accommodate a boot onto a Polo.

[Rajeevraj]

Buyers in this segment will be very particular about rear seat space. If they offer the same space as the Polo, it will be doomed.

Considering the competition is heavily loaded already, it would be difficult to beat them on features. Aspire has taken the drivability factor also up a notch with the 1.5 diesel and the 1.5 +DCT AT

if they really want to create a differentiation, they can offer the 1.5 TDI + DSG.

Ultimately I feel it will end up cannibalizing the polo and hence will not contribute in a major way to growth.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Vik0728

I only hope VW don't end up diluting the build quality to accommodate a boot onto a Polo.

Volkswagen had earlier stated their products will be premium in each segment and hence will not be cost competitive.

They will retain their premium build and now offer features in par or more than competition. The 1.5 TDI + DSG combination could be one such differentiation to competition in this segment or even a notchback( seeing the heavy camouflage at the C pillar).

[Vid6639]

Looking at the slope of the C pillar, I am wishful of this being a notch back. Please VW give us a nothcback. Bring back the Accent Viva design.

[sushantr5]

I happen to meet some VW guys from Pune in Wolfsburg, Germany (Hometown of VW). They were here as part of some production related study of this car. They saw the prototype however they did not divulge any details to me. One thing they mentioned is about floor hump. This car will have almost flat rear floor hump and subsequently all existing line up will also fall in line for this change.

[Rajeevraj]

This report from IAB has confirmation that the car will be showcased at the 2016 AutoExpo.

http://indianautosblog.com/2015/09/v...po-2016-195083

VW India’s sub-4 meter sedan, codenamed the ‘ICS’ (Indian Compact Sedan) is confirmed to be seen at the Auto Expo 2016, which takes place in February 2016. The confirmation comes from Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Member of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen brand with responsibility for “Development”, who spoke to Indian Autos Blog at the VW Group Night on the eve of this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

While the car will be on display at the show, a presentation could be made in the month of January itself. Based on the Polo platform, Dr. Neusser describes the car as a “classical sub-4 sedan”, hinting that it would not have a notchback-like styling as several reports speculated, instead a short boot similar to the likes of the Ford Figo Aspire and Tata Zest is expected.

Will find the going tough if they do not offer any key USP's when entering a crowded segement

[Karthik Chandra]

Originally Posted by rajeev k

Attaching an old Autocar India image of the Polo CS.
From the picture it appears that the Polo CS has the best balanced design among all compact sedans.

This design reminds me of the Chevy SRV, it is still a stunner to look at, I wish VW stick to the same design as shown in the autocar scoop

They should bring it on soon, as they badly need sub 4 metre sedan and a hatch below the polo to show any growth from the current 3.5k to 4k nos.

[hybridpetrol]

Having a compact sedan (with price about 40-50K above Polo) would increase sales in the short term. However, since Polo itself is a lengthy hatchback, launching a sedan within 4m would be tricky.

My own personal opinion is, the compact sedan craze will die down in a few years. People will prefer B2 premium hatchbacks, instead of the space-conscious, super-light, built to cost, compact sedans. Waking up to compact sedan at this point of time is not going to do any good, only will burn the fingers and do some damage to the brand image, and would feel VW has gone cheap. (Like Aspire does not feel like a Ford). VW should drop this idea, and launch more hatchbacks, more premium than Polo. It will sell good numbers.

[volkman10]

VW India’s compact sedan confirmed to a World Premiere at Auto Expo 2016 . Likely to launch in the festive season 2016.



http://www.volkswagen-media-services...x.php?pr_id=46

[abhik897]

Originally Posted by volkman10

VW India’s compact sedan confirmed to a World Premiere at Auto Expo 2016 . Likely to launch in the festive season 2016.

Attachment 1443759

http://www.volkswagen-media-services...x.php?pr_id=46

Small titbit on the same lines in today Eco times link as follows:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/49923219.cms