Volkswagen recently launched the Polo GT TSI in India with a turbocharged petrol motor and a DSG gearbox. It has been doing decently in the market and now, they have come up with a slightly newer car called the Cross Polo.
Polo, Polo GT, Cross Polo? What is that all about?
The Cross Polo is your same beloved Polo with slightly bigger dimensions, a bigger wheelbase and a higher ground clearance for better off-road driving abilities. The beefier looking variant of the Polo has been spotted on Indian roads on several occasions and now, it is being said that the car could be silently launched in India as early as tomorrow!
Undead, a Team-BHP member has snapped a sale-ready Cross Polo in black. It comes with roof rails, more pronounced wheel arches and enough body-cladding to match the show needed for the go. However, it doesn’t look significantly different from your regular Polo, or does it?
Of course, VW will share parts between siblings, which will help in keeping the prices competitive. This one is for those who want the comfort of a hatchback with some off-roading credentials, however wee bit they may be!
The India spec version would not be launched with a hatch-mounted spare wheel as we have seen in the international variant. This is reportedly because of the higher development costs as the hatch lid would have to be redesigned, leading to a high sticker price.
Visual changes on the upcoming Volkswagen Cross Polo include silver garnishing on Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs), Cross Polo decals, alloys wheels and new front and rear bumpers.
Engine options?
We have just received the saddener that the Cross Polo would NOT get a 1.5/1.6 litre TDI engine from the Vento as has been speculated earlier. Instead, it will be powered by the same 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine that powers the regular Polo. The Cross Polo will share its features list with the Polo Highline variants. There is also a word going around which says that VW may launch the proper Cross Polo with a bigger engine sometime next year.
One can safely expect to spend 75,000 more than the standard Polo to buy the Cross Polo. But will you?
– By Vikram Malhotra
