Volkswagen Vento – 105 horses….

The wind is on it way to make you feel fresh and energetic with new looks and powers…am I referring to season? No not at all.. It’s the new “Wind” from World’s # 1 Automaker and that is none other than “VENTO”.

I am going to write about my opinion about first looks! I haven’t yet got the chance to sit in the new wind.

Over the years, Indian automobile industry has seen hatchback siblings coming with an additional boot. For example: Indica’s sibling Indigo, Swift’s sibling DZire, Palio’s sibling Petra etc. Does it sounds the same with VW?

To certain extent yes! but not completely. Let’s do a deep dive into this new car to know more about its features and specification.

Exteriors:
Vento derives most of its front looks from it’s world class car “The POLO”, which is doing pretty great in Indian market. The new front grill is going to be standard in all upcoming new VW cars. The first look at Vento gives us a feeling that it is a sibling of Skoda and yes it is, they are coming from same plant and stable.

Front grill is complemented by sleek yet sporty headlights on either sides and broad fog lamps with sporty classic sharp edge front bumpers. These put together adds a stunning looks. This is one of the cars which is tank build similar to its sibling Skoda. One can feel safe and comfortable, when you are inside the car. We always compare cars with it’s close competitors and Vento stands out of it in exteriors department. No car can match close to Vento in it’s looks and design. Very well crafted with minute details. Rear looks very similar to Skoda Laura with neatly placed “VOLKSWAGEN’ badge. Very simple yet bold rear.

As this car is going to take on Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti SX4. I don’t want to compare with any of these cars. Vento is coming from European Automobile Engineering. I just can’t compare Euro cars with any one of these. Euro cars are meant for Engineering and design.

Interiors:

Feeling like you are in Polo.. yes! you are feeling right. There is no significant change from Polo except few bits. I have been reading from many reviews that the dashboard of Vento is not upto the mark. Does it so? absolutely not, we can’t expect it be more refined than what Vento offers. Vento comes with dual-tone dashboard (black+beige), very well places instrument switches (easily reachable), AC vents are well placed with chrome outer ring and ICE is just above the gear lever to change your fav music tracks. On the left of the dash, not much stuff except small glove box to keep your car documents handy. Moving to instrument cluster, steering is very responsive, good grip and it comes with Tilt-Steering. Instrument console is not too techie, yet, gives adequate information. This is one area, where other car makers overtake euro cars. Euro cars does not provide too much of information on Instrument console. Shifting our eyes towards right of the dash, you will get headlamp switch with leveler..nice concept but difficult to adjust. On the driver door comes, boot lid switch (very very new concept), instead of a stick below the seat and electronic OVRM switch. Doesn’t dash looks impressive? for me .. yes it is.

Interior looks too roomy and airy because of large windows which gives good feeling and visibility to maneuver in city traffic. Seats are ergonomically designed which gives lumbar support, which is essential in today’s traffic. Front and rear legroom and headroom are superb. However, rear headroom is a bit low yet manageable. Vento can accomodate 5 adults easily without squeezing. People at rear, need not disturb driver to move the AC vents, they are at luxury to get fresh air from rear AC vents by sipping coke /coffee. They can rest their hands on arm rest by placing coke / coffee in rear cup-holders. Some storage space for cup and bottles are also provided in front center floor console and on door pockets.

I definitely felt the feel of Skoda Laura inside Vento, with it’s finish and some of the fine bits.

Engine / Technical Info:

I will not be mentioning about performance of this car, as I have not driven personally.

Do you want to own petrol / diesel car? yes, Vento offers both the versions to suit your needs. Both Petrol and Diesel engines are powered with 1.6 L engines with 4 cyl which will deliver 105bhp. The same engines have been deployed in Polo as well. Petrol version comes in both Automatic and Manual transmission whereas Diesel comes only with Manual Transmission.

More Technical Details are available on VW India Website : http://www.volkswagen.co.in/in/en/products/Vento/technical_data0/TechnicalData.html

Safety:

Vento also features some of the important safety components. It comes with 3-point seat belt adjustment, Anti-Pinch protection windows, ABS, Airbags along with Anti-Theft Alarm system. Hope these features will surely protect man and machine.

Service/Dealer:

There are less than 3 dealers / service centers in each state (approx.). I am not sure, how people can get Road-Assistance or emergency services when traveling away from service center zone.

Conclusion:

Needless to say, Vento impressed me. Liking is very subjective and as a auto freak, some of the fine crafting, design, engineering impressed me to a great extent. I have not compared this car with any other competitor, which I don’t believe, as each and every European machine has it’s own identity and class touch.

Disclaimer: This is purely my personal opinion.