Rumour: Volkswagen Polo 1.6 GT TDI just around the corner

Over the next couple of weeks, the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 GT TDI could become the latest diesel hot hatchback to be launched in India. While Volkswagen India has been mum about what promises to be an exciting launch for diesel hatchback enthusiasts, reports on Team-BHP, emerging from various parts of the country suggest that certain dealers have even begun delivering the first few units of the Polo 1.6 GT TDI.  The car gets its name from the 1.6 liter TDI turbo diesel unit, sourced from the Vento sedan.

With this diesel engine under the hood, the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI could become the most powerful diesel hatchback sold in India given the fact that this diesel motor outputs 105 Bhp-250 Nm on the Vento sedan. A similar state of tune is likely on the Polo 1.6 GT TDI. A five speed manual gearbox is how the power and torque will be conveyed to the front wheels of the Polo 1.6 GT TDI. Competition for the Polo 1.6 GT TDI will come from the likes of the Hyundai i20 Diesel and the Fiat Punto 90 HP.

Team-BHPian Tushky has even stated that the Polo 1.6 GT TDI has been priced at 9.13 lakh rupees, on-road Pune, making it the most expensive diesel hatchback in India. The high price of the Polo 1.6 GT TDI has to do with the fact that Volkswagen India stands to lose excise duty concessions that the Indian government bestows upon sub-4 meter cars. Cars under 4 meters in length need to feature diesel engines measuring under 1.5 liters to make good of the excise benefit.

In case of the Polo 1.6 GT TDI, the 1.6 liter diesel engine will be the reason why the car won't be classified as a small car under Indian government regulations. So, a higher excise duty of 20% is in order. The higher excise duty will directly reflect upon the ex-showroom and on-road prices of the Polo 1.6 GT TDI. Apart from the addition of the more powerful 1.6 liter diesel engine under the Polo's hood, the car is expected to be similar to the Polo 1.2 TDI Highline variant in terms of safety features and creature comforts.

ABS+EBD and twin airbags are expected to be standard while certain features of the Polo 1.2 TSI, such as 15 inch alloy wheels, sporty pedals and GT badges, could make it to the 1.6 GT TDI model. Visually, the Polo 1.6 GTD looks similar to the 1.2 TSI variant, except for the GT TDI badges replacing the GT TSI ones. With the launch of the Polo 1.6 GT TDI model, Volkswagen India will have the unique distinction of being the only car maker in India to have both petrol and diesel powered hot hatchbacks in its line up. 

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