Volkswagen India facelifts the top-of-the-line variants of the Polo hatchback and the Vento sedan

Volkswagen India has given the top end variants of the Polo hatchback and the Vento sedan a facelift, making both the car models more appealing than before. The top-of-the-line Polo and Vento Highline variants get a host of cosmetic changes on the outside while additional features are added to the interiors of the car. These changes come at a time when the Indian car market is in the midst of a sales slowdown that has hit Volkswagen India hard, as sales of both the Polo and the Vento have slipped. So, the facelift is expected to bring more buyers into Volkswagen showrooms and improve sales of the Polo & the Vento.

2012 Volkswagen Polo Hatchback

The bigger part of the story though is the fact that Volkswagen India has actually reduced prices of the top end Highline variants of the Polo and the Vento even as the German brand has added a bunch of features. The Polo Highline will be cheaper by about INR 40,000 than the older model while the Vento will be priced INR 30,000 lower than the older variant. Curiously enough, Volkswagen has hiked prices of the entry level and mid variants of the Polo and the Vento by about INR 10,000. So, the reduced prices of the Highline variants of the Polo and the Vento, along with the increased prices of the lower variants make the cars more bunched up.

2012 Volkswagen Vento Sedan

Now what this could potentially do is, it could make the car buyer, walking in to buy the lower variant of the Polo or the Vento, go in for a higher variant due to the small price difference. With higher margins on the top end variants, Volkswagen India might manage to earn better profits on its cars, while also boosting sales due to the top end variants kitted out with various new features being sold at a lower price, and thereby being more attractive to car buyers. Meanwhile, here is the complete list of features than the facelifted Polo and Vento Highline variants will come with,

2012 Polo Hatchback Highline

* Smoked Headlamps

* New alloy wheel design

* Leather wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever

* Music system with USB connectivity

* Speed sensing volume control for music system

* Multi-function steering wheel

* Optional Bluetooth Device

2012 Vento Sedan Highline