Volkswagen India to launch facelifted GT Twins & Cross Polo in September

German carmaker Volkswagen today launched the much-awaited 2014 Polo facelift in India. At the launch ceremony in Delhi, the manufacturer also announced that the facelifts of the Polo GT TDI, Polo GT TSI and the CrossPolo will be making its way in September this year.

The over-all design and styling updates on the TSI and TDI variants are the same as the standard Polo. The performance variants also comes with new lights, alloys, bumpers and front-grille, while the interior gets new upholstery and fabrics with a silver-finished center console and three-spoke steering wheel. Volkswagen has kept both the power hatchs at a common INR 7.99 lakhs ex.showroom price.

The GT TSI variant is powered by a four-cylinder 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 104 bhp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 175 nm at 1,500 – 4,100 rpm, coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. While the GT TDI variant comes with the new four-cylinder 1.5-liter diesel engine as the today-launched Polo diesel. However, GT gets a higher state of tune with same engine, outputting 104 bhp at 4,400 rpm and peak torque of 250 nm at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. As per company claiming, the Tsi returns 17.21 kmpl, whereas the TDI delivers 19.91 kmpl of fuel efficiency.

Cross Polo, the not-so-successful beefed-up version of hatch will also be trying its fate once again in the Indian market. Offered only with a single diesel option, the cross-over comes with the regular Polo's 1.5-liter diesel mill, pumping out 89 bhp at 4,200 rpm and 230 Nm at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm. The unit comes paired to a five-speed manual transmission. According to ARAI tested figures, the hatch delivers 20.14 kmpl of fuel efficiency. Volkswagen has priced the Cross Polo at INR 7.90 lakhs (ex.showroom, Delhi).