The Vento TSI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 11.68 seconds, and also has a good mid-range performance. As for the top speed, we managed to propel it to just about 180 km/h before running out of road and are sure that it can manage even more.
The beauty of the TSI-DSG combination is that in spite of being capable of such a smashing performance, the car is quite frugal when it comes to fuel consumption. When tested in city conditions, the Vento TSI delivered a maximum fuel efficiency of 11 km/l, while on the highway it delivered 17 km/l. This brings us to a real world average to 12.5 km/l, and the 55-litre fuel tank gives it a range of 688 km.
As for the driving experience, the Vento TSI feels like a car from a class above. The cabin cuts out the ambient noise effectively and the suspension feels firm yet optimally absorbent. The steering wheel has the right feel and progressively weighs up as the speed increases. The car remains rock-steady even near its top speed and the DSG makes sure that the freewheeling sensation under braking is minimal.
Considering its attributes, one would expect the car to carry a considerable premium over the previous top-end Vento petrol. However, with a tag of Rs 11.36 lakh (OTR, Pune), the Vento TSI costs only Rs 6,000 more than the 1.6 Highline petrol with automatic transmission.
So the buyer gets a good-looking sedan with premium features, improved performance and the magic of DSG at almost the same price. To put it in a better way, Volkswagen have raised the bar for the C-segment sedans without a model revision.
The beauty of the TSI-DSG combination is that in spite of being capable of such a smashing performance, the car is quite frugal when it comes to fuel consumption
Story: Piyush Sonsale
Photography: Rommel Albuquerque
