VW India to launch 5 new models in 24 months - Report

Will include models like the new Beetle, Passat and Tiguan.

At the launch of the 2015 VW Vento, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Director, Michael Mayer, has confirmed to reporters that the Indian arm of the German company will launch 5 new models in the next 24 months. The latest generation VW Beetle, VW Passat, and the highly anticipated next generation VW Tiguan constitute the model launches that Volkswagen India has in the pipeline.

Rather than the current Tiguan, VW India will be introducing the next generation Tiguan in India. It will be the first time that the compact SUV is making an entry into the Indian market, and will be the sole SUV offering from VW ever since they discontinued the Touareg.

The MQB-based Tiguan will reportedly make its global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, and will be launched in India as a premium 7-seater offering.

VW India will re-introduce the Passat in India, albeit in its much improved 8th generation (codename B8) avatar. To keep prices low (which was one of the reasons for the previous model's discontinuation), VW might increase localization levels. The Passat will likely pack a 2.0-liter TDI engine mated to a DSG transmission.

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The remaining models include a compact sedan and a compact SUV. The former will be slotted below the VW Vento and is expected to debut at the 2016 Auto Expo, perhaps branded 'VW Bora', while the latter could draw inspiration from VW Taigun or the VW T-ROC and get launched by 2017.

[Source: Business Today]