The Volkswagen Polo Sedan has been revamped, which adds a few variants, a new engine option, and a new name too. From now on, Volkswagen’s B-segment sedan will be known as the Volkswagen Vento.
The locally-assembled sedan has expanded its range with a three-trim line up featuring two different engine options. The base Vento Trendline can be yours from a snip over RM80k, which is some RM5k cheaper than the outgoing Polo Sedan that was only available in a single trim.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Volkswagen Vento 1.6 MPI Trendline | Volkswagen Vento 1.6 MPI Comfortline | Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI Highline |
| Engine | 1,598 cc; 4-cylinder, DOHC | 1,197 cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder, SOHC | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 7-speed dual-clutch | |
| Max Power | 104 hp @ 5,250 rpm | 104 hp @ 5,000 rpm | |
| Max Torque | 153 Nm @ 3,800 rpm | 175 Nm @ 1,550 – 4,100 rpm | |
| Price | RM80,635.00 | RM87,635.00 | RM94,635.00 |
EXTERIOR
The exterior has been given a subtle refresh to the front and the back, and there’s a new set of 16-inch ‘Syenit’ wheels for the top-of-the-range Vento Highline. The 15-inch ‘Riverside’ alloys have been carried over for the Trendline and Comfortline.
At the front, all Vento models wear a bigger front grille, a pair of halogen headlamps with black surrounds and a new front bumper. The base Trendline however, misses out on the new pair of redesigned front foglamps.
The back gets new tail lights, a new bumper with reflectors, and a new chrome garnish that runs across the number plate holder.
INTERIOR
The neat interior has been retained, but Volkswagen spiced things up a bit by adding a classier silver finish on the center stack and a new leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel from the Mk7 Golf. The seats however, are still wrapped in fabric, but they now come with a new pattern called ‘Cable’.
PERFORMANCE
The 1.6-litre MPI 4-cylinder that powers both the Vento Trendline and Comfortline are the same unit from the outgoing Polo Sedan. It delivers 104 hp and 153 Nm of torque, and it’s paired with the same six-speed automatic.
The Vento Highline on the other hand, uses the smaller 1.2-litre TSI four-cylinder and seven-speed DSG combo that was previously only available on the fully imported Polo 1.2 TSI hatchback. The turbocharged mill develops the same 104 hp as the atmospheric 1.6-litre unit, but there’s 175 Nm of torque. The 1.2 TSI also consume less fuel at 5.5 litres per 100 km, while the larger engine drinks a full litre more at 6.5 litres per 100 km.
SAFETY
Standard safety equipment on the new Vento include dual front airbags, ISOFIX mounts, ABS, and Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS). Comfortline and Highline get a couple of extra side airbags, whereas the Highline is the only variant to come fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) into the list.
WHAT ELSE?
The Vento Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline are priced at RM80,635, RM87,635, and RM94,635 respectively. Buyers can choose from five available colour options: Candy White, Reflex Silver, Carbon Steel Grey, Deep Black, and Flash Red.
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