Volkswagen finally took the wraps off its much awaited Indian-built Polo at the Auto Expo. For India the Polo will be powered by both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol is the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit already seen in the Fabia that has a power output of 76PS and torque of 1l0Nm. The diesel is an all-new three-cylinder 1.2 unit with an output of 76PS and torque of 180Nm developed at a low 2000rpm. This is a common-rail turbo-charged unit, not a pumpe duse engine like on the Fabia and incidentally this is the smallest capacity diesel engine yet to be seen in a passenger car in India.

There is no automatic transmission available, both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual gear box. Three trim levels are on offer, Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Equipment levels range from steel wheels and wind down windows (at the rear) in the base version going up to an integrated stereo, airbags, ABS, electronic anti theft immobiliser, height adjustable drivers' seat and 17-inch alloys on the top version. The version on show didn't have steering wheel audio controls. A neat touch is the VW roundel on the hatch that doubles as the boot release, similar to the Passat. All variants get dual tone black and beige interiors that will set a new benchmark in terms of quality. Soft touch plastics abound and fit and finish is exemplary.

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The car will be manufactured at Volkswagen's Chakan plant that has an annual capacity of 1,10,000 cars and will be available through 40 dealerships. Prices will be announced in March when the car goes on sale. The hatch will be followed by a notchback later in the year that will run on the same platform but with an increased wheelbase for better rear legroom and will be powered by a 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine mated to an optional DSG twin-clutch gearbox.