[i74js]

It seems that going forward Europeans would start offering performance oriented cars. i.e. beyond the premium segment three biggies, it will be VW and Fiat working towards the need of specific segment in India, while the Japanese will cater to mass market / people mover segments.

Having said that, players like Hyundai would develop products without an lineage / family type, and keep on meeting the segment aspirations.

Good to see that market is moving in right direction where a particular segment of buyers is not deprived of choices just because the demand is limited.

Good move Fiat & VW

[sweetvar26]

This car needs to be launched ASAP here, and for someone who cares about the performance being successful, I believe they should launch both the manual and the DSG, leaving the decision on the hands of the buyer.

[shetty_rohan]

Abarth which is closest match for the GTI(in terms of performance) costs 10 Lakhs. 3 lakh more for the 1.8 TSi engine along with the added goodies is pretty decent price.

Sssshhh, do not tell anything bad about Abarth, there are lot of Fiat fans who would "tear you apart". :-)

My wishlist in the GTI
- Bigger wheels(17 inch and at least 215 section width)
- All 4 discs
- Reverse view camera and Navigation Support
- Auto dim IRVM and ORVM
- Stiffer suspension
- Xenon headlights

I am sure following features would not be available
- Sport Select adaptive suspension : allows drivers to switch between comfort and sports set-ups.
- LED headlights

[Tarun.R]

Originally Posted by Nucliomaniac

My my my my my!

I think most of us are happier at the manual gearbox option.

pocket rockets, usually fit in the pocket.

Any specific information on when is it expected.

Need to buy a car, quick. Have a case of the itch.

http://m.economictimes.com/slideshow...w/49021605.cms

End of this Quarter, according to ET! Exciting times indeed!

[printh]

Originally Posted by shetty_rohan

Abarth which is closest match for the GTI(in terms of performance) costs 10 Lakhs. 3 lakh more for the 1.8 TSi engine along with the added goodies is pretty decent price.



Sssshhh, do not tell anything bad about Abarth, there are lot of Fiat fans who would "tear you apart". :-)



My wishlist in the GTI

- Bigger wheels(17 inch and at least 215 section width)

- All 4 discs

- Reverse view camera and Navigation Support

- Auto dim IRVM and ORVM

- Stiffer suspension

- Xenon headlights



I am sure following features would not be available

- Sport Select adaptive suspension : allows drivers to switch between comfort and sports set-ups.

- LED headlights

Ah that's a lot asking from a 13 lakh hatch I believe,when the engine itself justifying almost 12 lakhs. But I wish I am proved wrong though.
With the DSG woes still surfacing here and there, I bet manual gearbox in addition to auto is a must to improve sales nos.
An optimistic wish list would be base model Jetta's hardware in polo's structure for 13 lakhs.

[sweetvar26]

Originally Posted by shetty_rohan

Abarth which is closest match for the GTI(in terms of performance) costs 10 Lakhs. 3 lakh more for the 1.8 TSi engine along with the added goodies is pretty decent price.

Sssshhh, do not tell anything bad about Abarth, there are lot of Fiat fans who would "tear you apart". :-)

My wishlist in the GTI
- Bigger wheels(17 inch and at least 215 section width)
- All 4 discs
- Reverse view camera and Navigation Support
- Auto dim IRVM and ORVM
- Stiffer suspension
- Xenon headlights

I am sure following features would not be available
- Sport Select adaptive suspension : allows drivers to switch between comfort and sports set-ups.
- LED headlights

Even though the price quoted is around 13L for the 168hp engine, I highly doubt it would be released at that price considering the Octavia with the same engine is being sold around 22L on road.

[Motoringlover]

Originally Posted by sweetvar26

Even though the price quoted is around 13L for the 168hp engine, I highly doubt it would be released at that price considering the Octavia with the same engine is being sold around 22L on road.

- What may also be possible is that Vw releases this around 17L mark, and loaded to the gill. Then Vw is going to be creating a segment between say the abarth and the Mini cooper. But may not have too many takers at that price point.

Best

[aseem]

Originally Posted by Motoringlover

- What may also be possible is that Vw releases this around 17L mark, and loaded to the gill. Then Vw is going to be creating a segment between say the abarth and the Mini cooper. But may not have too many takers at that price point.

Best

There will be very few takers for the car at 17 lakhs. Anything over 9.99 ex-showroom and it will spell doom. The main problem with Polo is lack of space at the rear and everything else is very well put together. Who would want to shell 20 lakhs on road for a hatch?

Bring in Gold at 17 lakhs loaded to the gill and you will have many takers!

[shefiu]

Loaded to the gills and 17 lakhs is hearsay, which is why I would take it with open arms. The imported GTI was valued at 23 lakhs, which kind of makes sense as it is actually pitted against the Mini in international markets.

For me, a GTi has to be premium as much as it is a hot hatch, which would inevitably translate to fewer sales.

I'll be even more bold and hope that they launch both at different price points.

Hot hatches are a niche (although growing). I personally would like to be in the niche of that niche segment, if that makes sense.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by shefiu

Hot hatches are a niche (although growing). I personally would like to be in the niche of that niche segment, if that makes sense.

Then why not a Golf? A proper 'big' hatchback which also gives opportunity to existing Polo drivers who want to upgrade but aren't looking for sedans forms.

Personally I don't find any fun having 150+ hp of power in a FWD car. Such big power makes sense in RWD or AWD cars. Unfortunately we don't have any proper RWD/AWD 'car' in the <20lakh segments. Either those are Nanos, Omnis, SUVs or desi Jepps, but not proper cars.

Maybe VW or other manufacturers eyeing on this segment should seriously start thinking about providing a some decent RWD/AWD options under 15L price bracket. If not Golf then AWD Polo will also do the job for the time being. But I don't think its gonna turn out into reality in near future.

[shetty_rohan]

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

Then why not a Golf? A proper 'big' hatchback which also gives opportunity to existing Polo drivers who want to upgrade but aren't looking for sedans forms.

Personally I don't find any fun having 150+ hp of power in a FWD car. Such big power makes sense in RWD or AWD cars. Unfortunately we don't have any proper RWD/AWD 'car' in the <20lakh segments. Either those are Nanos, Omnis, SUVs or desi Jepps, but not proper cars.

Maybe VW or other manufacturers eyeing on this segment should seriously start thinking about providing a some decent RWD/AWD options under 15L price bracket. If not Golf then AWD Polo will also do the job for the time being. But I don't think its gonna turn out into reality in near future.

If the VW releases the Golf, I would definitely welcome the same with open arms. In fact before buying the GT TSi I have been inquiring about the Golf because I was looking for the powerful big hatch(not a sedan).

I guess, it would require lot more investments from VW in bringing Golf to India. Other point is even in abroad Golf is more expensive than the Octavia. Golf is considered as a premium product.

In case VW launches the Golf in the price band higher than Octavia, I would not see any market in India.

Whereas launching the Polo GTI(powerful than Abarth) even with the manual is much easier to market.

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

Personally I don't find any fun having 150+ hp of power in a FWD car. Such big power makes sense in RWD or AWD cars. Unfortunately we don't have any proper RWD/AWD 'car' in the <20lakh segments. Either those are Nanos, Omnis, SUVs or desi Jepps, but not proper cars.

Maybe VW or other manufacturers eyeing on this segment should seriously start thinking about providing a some decent RWD/AWD options under 15L price bracket. If not Golf then AWD Polo will also do the job for the time being. But I don't think its gonna turn out into reality in near future.

I do not agree with this. The Fiesta ST, one of the most fun to drive cars in the world with almost 200 horses on tap is FWD.

It will take VW more than a big engine to call the Polo a GTI. It will definitely need better suspension and brakes. And no, they will not provide a RWD or AWD layout for the Indian spec GTI especially if they're targeting the 15L price bracket.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

Then why not a Golf? A proper 'big' hatchback which also gives opportunity to existing Polo drivers who want to upgrade but aren't looking for sedans forms.

Personally I don't find any fun having 150+ hp of power in a FWD car. Such big power makes sense in RWD or AWD cars.

Sorry, so you mean to say something like Golf (regular or GTI) does not make any sense; or say the Skoda Octavia?
I personally think a Polo GTI with the 1.8 TSI engine would be a fantastic option.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Sorry, so you mean to say something like Golf (regular or GTI) does not make any sense; or say the Skoda Octavia?
I personally think a Polo GTI with the 1.8 TSI engine would be a fantastic option.

I mean to say a Golf would be better option, be it in any avatar. Then if they want to introduce powerful car like the rumored 168HP Polo then its better to offer RWD/AWD option as well. We see only FWDs under 20Lakh price bracket. Having a properly powered RWD/AWD car would be one in it's kind in this segment.

[shefiu]

Bringing the Golf in would throw this discussion off on a tangent. Of course many of us would love to see the Golf here. However, already when pricing is so prohibitive, even thinking of a Golf on our land is a non-starter.

There will always be takers, but considering how few there would be for a full-fledged Polo GTi, a Golf GTi or even lesser versions would purely cater to a handful of us discussing this here.

Many of us would also love AWD / RWD. Heck we'll still take what we can get, and I'll gladly take FWD!