Automobile Reviews

Volkswagen rolled out its small hatchback, the Beetle in top D-Segment on the Indian roads in December 2009. Having the size of Tata Nano, it gives the thrill of Sports Utility Vehicle.

Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 vies with other deluxe D- section cars from Fiat like the Fiat 500 as well as the Fiat Bravo, due for launch.

The principal European vehicle manufacturer has introduced just a single version of the car, which came out from the manufacturing plant in Mexico as a Completely Build Unit (CBU).

Equipped with 4 cylinder petrol engine option, the Beetle has six speed manual transmission gearbox. The only one variant available is power-driven using the 2.0L, 1984cc petrol engine. It has Multi Point Fuel Injection system.

The engine generates the highest power of 115bhp at 5400 rpm with maximum torque of 172Nm at 3200 rpm. Delivering utmost speed of 180kmph, the car can surpass the mark of 100kmph in only 11.2 seconds. It can supply 9kmpl mileage for urban roads as well as 13kmpl in the urban roads.

Meanwhile, this front wheel drive vehicle is designed with German Engineering providing classy interiors. It makes use of the MK4 generation Volkswagen Golf/ Jetta platform.

The four seater car is 4,129mm long, 1,721mm wide and 1,498mm high with a wheel base of 2,502mm and ground clearance 120mm. It has a turning radius of 5.5 metres.

Fitted with power steering it offers ventilated front brakes and disk type rear brakes. The Emission Norm Compliance BSIV car has a fuel tank of 55 litres. It has 15 inch alloy wheel as well as 195/65 R15 tyre.

Not to forget, it provides safety features that is not a compromise in any way. These features cover Anti-Braking System with EBD, dual front and side impact airbags, seat belt alarms and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Though the interior is fashionable it gives out tight cabin space. The car with option to raise or lower its top as required also has eye-catching features such as heated front seats, remote keyless entry, cruise control, in dash CD changer as well as steering mounted audio.

The two door hatchbacks also features advanced and chic exteriors with mid mounted third stop lamp, two-doors with body colour handles and roof mounted antenna. Do not forget, the sporty exteriors also include Anti-intrusion beams that enhances safety, Tinted glasses, Black colour front grille, Stylish headlamps, advanced graphic instrument panel, parking sensors and stylish chrome finished tail lamps, Heat able Body Colour Out Side Rear View Mirrors on both side, and more.

Not to be outdone, the impressive interiors encompass dual tone beige dash board which is packed with advanced graphic instrument cluster and leather upholstery.

Other trendy interior features range from Leather Covered Steering Wheel, New Leather Covered Gear Shift Knob, Leather Seats, Floor Mats, Illumination of controls and gauges – blue, with red indicators, to Interior front centre dome light, Dual Front Vanity Mirrors, Three-spoke Leather Covered Steering Wheel, Leather Covered Gear Shift knob, V-Tex Trimmed Seat, Fully Carpeted Lined Luggage Compartment and a few more.

Remember, the car does not compromise on its luxury in anyway. The comfort features are Power Steering (Tilted, Collapsible and Height Adjustable), Climate Control AC with HVAC, Power Windows with pinch protection, Electrically Adjustable Side Rear View Mirror, Electrically Operated Remote Fuel Flap, Keyless Entry, On Board Advanced CD Changer and Height Adjustable Driver Seat.

Cup Holders on Floor Console, Cigarette Lighter in Front Console, Rear Wash and Wiper, Electrical Glass Demister, Front door storage nets, One-piece folding rear seat, Seat height adjustment for driver and front passenger seats, Glove box light, Interior front centre dome light and Front reading lights are also provided.

Other luxury features comprise Valet key, Two Folding keys with radio-frequency remote transmitter for central locking, eyelet, Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip odometer, fuel gauge, gear indicator, warning lights, Coat Hooks on Door, Magazine Pockets in the Door Pads, Storage Net in Luggage Compartment and more.

Beetle 2.0 comes in various striking hues like Salsa Red, Black, Candy White, Sunflower, Reflex Silver and Laser Blue.

Exquisite Workmanship and high-grade materials are the watchwords that make Volkswagen’s new Polo. The new Polo brings total comfort to you. Prominent design and uncompromising quality in engine is what you can look forward to from the fabulous Volkswagen Polo Petrol Trendline 1.2L Car.

The new Polo vehicle rolls out of the Manufacturer’s in these variants- Trendline, Comfortline and Highline in both the Petrol and Diesel versions. The available variants include the Volkswagen Polo Petrol Trendline 1.2L, Volkswagen Polo Petrol Comfortline 1.2L, Volkswagen Polo Petrol Highline 1.2L, Volkswagen Polo Diesel Trendline 1.2L, Volkswagen Polo Diesel Comfortline 1.2L and Volkswagen Polo Diesel Highline 1.2L. A new sport’s version, Volkswagen Polo Petrol Highline 1.6L is another variant available in the market.

Engine Specifications

The new Polo fitted with the 1.2L, 1172cc petrol engine claims a mileage 13.2kmpl in city and 18.3kmpl on highway. The 75bhp engine offer 3- in- line cylinders. The maximum power of the vehicle is 70PS @5400 rpm and the maximum torque is estimated as 112Nm@3000 rpm. The 1.2L engine features a Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI) fuel system and 5 speed manual transmission gearbox. The hatchback has a fuel capacity of 50 litres

Car Exterior

Designed to stand the test of time, the new1.2L petrol variant offers style as well as understated elegance in its looks. The new small hatchback is expected to come out in three metallic and three non-metallic colours. The metallic colours are Ice Silver, Reflex Silver and Shadow Blue, while the non-metallic colours available will be Flash Red, Candy White and Summer Blue. It is 1,467mm in height, 3,916mm in length and 1,650mm in width with a wheel base of 2,466mm. The vehicle also features an aggressive front grille with stylish headlamps and body colour bumpers. Other options available with the five-door hatchback are body colour door handles, Chrome-plated internal door handles, Body Colour Door mirrors, Electrically heated door mirrors, Chrome front radiator grille, Full size wheel trims, Manually adjustable external rear view mirror and standard wheel covers.

Interior Features

The new Polo from Volkswagen with ultra spacious passenger cabin that can seat 5 persons will also surprise you by the space available in the boot, thus making it viable for your weekend trip away. The dual tone interior with its dual tone dashboard packed with advanced instrument cluster adds to the style of the car. Some other features that other features that add to the appeal of the interiors of Volkswagen Polo are ergonomically designed Instrument Panel, floor mats, Aluminium-look pedals, Blue instrument lighting, Chrome-plated instrument surrounds, Stylish Gear-Knob, Dual Tone Elegant Interior and Glove Box

Safety Features

The Volkswagen Polo also offer various advanced safety features which helps to keep both the driver and the passengers safe, alike. The safety features available include Central Locking, Height Adjustable Front Seat Belts, Child Safety Locks and Anti-Theft Alarm. Other features are Day & Night Rear View Mirror and Passenger Side Rear View Mirror.

Comfort and Convenience

The new mid-segment small hatchback car offer high comfort and convenience during a drive. Other features that make Volkswagen Polo comfortable are Standard Air Conditioner; Power Steering; Power Windows; Side and Front Impact Beams; Standard Tinted Glass; Remote Trunk Opener; Front Cup holder; Low Fuel Warning Light; Vanity Mirror; Trunk Light; Standard Rear Seat Head Rest; Halogen Headlamps; Chrome Finished Gear Shift Knob and Interior Door Handles.

The new Polo Petrol Trendline 1.2L Car is a very spacious car and offer Value for money with high engine performance and excellent acceleration. However, the vehicle is very expensive in terms of it’s maintenance.

Picture Perfect – Jetta

The perfection and precision all German products have are commendable and so is everything about Jetta. The luxury and feel that I experienced when I sat inside this vehicle was awesome. What perfection! Each and every aspect was taken care of, something the vehicles of Indian companies lacked. Being a notchback model, Jetta has a 30 year triumph tale in the Europe and also has been recognized as the most popular car in the USA and that too from a European manufacturer. This review will be giving you details about the Jetta TDI 1.9 Trendline and Jetta TDI 1.9 Comfortline DSG. The Jetta offers extensive comfort and comes packed with functions and safety equipments.

The perfect blend of ground-breaking features, synchronization of design and inspiring dynamics make the Jetta what it is – a compact saloon with sporty elegance. The traditional Volkswagen qualities of trustworthiness and a long service ensure that the Jetta offers you supreme driving enjoyment. Read further to discover more about the exquisitely designed Jetta!!

The design of the vehicle, performance it has, enhanced safety features supported and above all the comfort it offers is admirable. Talking about the design, it has a striking front view and sporty radiator grille. Colour-keyed bumpers, door handles and door mirror housings with integral twin signals make the perfect Jetta. The green tinted heat insulating glass has a graceful and classy appearance cares against extreme heating of the passenger compartment and cuts dazzle. Along with the looks and design of the exteriors, the interiors are also designed with utmost perfection.

You will simply love the performance of the vehicle. With the 1.9L TDI with “Pumpe Duse” direct injection technology, you get the perfect performance and save on the economy as well. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 11.8 seconds. The most striking part is its galvanised body that protects it against rust penetration. Safety is yet another factor that needs special mentioning. The Jetta comes with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as standard. It prevents the wheels from locking on slippery surfaces and keeps the car steerable. Another safety feature is the three-point inertia reel seat belts with integrated belt tensioners and belt force limiters. The front seat belts height-adjustable as well. The other safety features of this lovable Jetta are airbags for front passengers, curtain airbags at front and rear and side airbags at the front.

Have a look at the features short listed

Exterior

•    16” ‘Toronto’ alloy wheels with 205/55 R 16 tyres
•    Colour-keyed door mirror housings and door handles
•    Door mirrors with integral turn signals
•    Halogen main headlights and turn signals under one clear glass cover
•    Galvanized body
•    Radiator grille and frame in chrome
•    Tail lights with LED technology
•    Colour-keyed bumpers and rubbing strips
•    Green tinted, heat insulated windows

Interior

•    “Glow” pattern and flat weave seat upholstery
•    2 cup holders at front and 2 at rear
•    2 AC vents at rear
•    Storage compartment with lid on headlining
•    Pockets on doors (with holder for 1 litre bottles at front)
•    Anthracite metallic inserts for instrument panel, centre console and door panel trim
•    Driver’s seat with height adjustment
•    Lockable, illuminated glove compartment with cooling facility
•    Asymmetrically split-folding backrest
•    Front centre armrest with storage compartment
•    Sunglass holder on headlining

Safety

•    6 airbags
•    3 rear head restraints
•    Safety-optimised front head restraints
•    Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
•    Electronic immobilizer
•    Fog lights
•    ISOFIX mounting points for securing 2 child’s seat on the rear seat
•    3-point inertia reel front seat belts with height adjustments and belt tensioners

The features mentioned below are for the Comfortline that are additional to or different from the Treadline

Exterior

•    Chrome trim on side windows

Interior

•    “Vienna” leather seat upholstery
•    Deluxe sports seat at front
•    Electrically adjustable lumbar support for front seats
•    Rear centre armrest
•    Illuminated vanity mirrors
•    Drawers under front seat

Safety

•    “Plus” anti-theft warning system
•    Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP)
•    Traction Control System (ASR)
•    2 additional side air bags for rear passengers
•    Interior surveillance

Operating equipment

•    Cruise control
•    RCD 510 touch screen audio system with MP3 player, 6-disc CD changer, 10 loud speakers and inbuilt SD card reader
•    Leather-covered multi-function steering wheel with operating facility for multi-function display, audio system and paddle shift for gear-change
•    Light and sight package – automatic driving control with “coming home” and “leaving home” function, automatically dimming rear view mirror, two lights in front footwell, rain sensor
•    Retractable outside rear view mirror
•    “Plus” multi-funciton display