One of our members and a hardcore automotive enthusiast who is well known on the world wide web as ‘Shrivz’, recently caught the Volkswagen Golf MK6 on test in India. Our photographer, Eshan Shetty, too had caught the Golf on test a few months back (and almost got himself killed doing so, thanks to a loyal VW driver flinging a stone at him). That Golf however totally undisguised and in a left hand drive avatar – hence we let the test mules be, thinking that it was one of those export models undergoing some component testing. But when Shrivz sent us the Golf’s photo last month and highlighted the fact that the test car was a right hand drive, we got down to work and getting in touch with the vast network of sources (ahem!) that we have!
Our sources tell us that Volkswagen is indeed testing the Golf MK6 for the Indian market. Apart from the Beetle, the Golf has been one of VW’s signature cars. The German carmaker is hence looking forward to introducing the car in India as well. However, since the car is not manufactured in India (yet), VW is looking at various options to keep the car’s prospective price tag as low as possible. VW is expected to use the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines (probably in a different state of tune), that will be used in the upcoming Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Felicia sedans. Our sources tell us that the car is expected to boast of a sticker price between the Rs. 10-13 lakhs rupees – making it one of the costliest four door hatchbacks in the country.
Volkswagen is expected the launch the Mk6 Golf by Q2 2011 where it will join the companies ever increasing product portfolio in India. Though the Golf might not be able to gain the same market share as the rest of the of the hatchbacks in the country, VW will have a premium offering slotted between the Vento and the Jetta sedans.
Source: Motoroids
