What is it?
The Volkswagen Vento was the very first, and for the longest time, only mid-size sedan in India to be equipped with a twin-clutch automated (DSG) transmission paired with a effective turbo-petrol engine. This combination built the Vento an interesting proposition for individuals who desired the ease of an automated and also tugged at the heartstrings of individuals who liked driving. But for the BS6 period, Volkswagen has dropped the 1.two TSI and DSG combo for the new 1. TSI mated to an all-new 6-velocity torque-converter automated. We’ve professional the 1. TSI Vento with a handbook gearbox and loved the new engine for its smoothness and performance, but how nicely does it get the job done with the new 6-velocity automated? Can a traditional torque converter match a speedy-shifting twin clutch auto ‘box? Has the Vento auto taken a move backwards adopting this older tech? These are the questions we’ve established out to answer.
Absent is the 1.two TSI with the DSG and in will come the 1. TSI with the AT.
Why did VW swap the DSG with a torque converter?
Pre-BS6, Volkswagen’s ‘EA111’1.6-litre by natural means aspirated (NA) petrol-handbook served as the beginning level of the Vento range, which was above Rs two lakh more affordable, spec-to-spec, than the 1.two-litre TSI DSG variant. With the 1.6-litreengine gone, VW required an entry-stage Vento to hit the correct value level in a incredibly aggressive landscape. Hefty localisation of the new 1.-litre TSI engine has pushed fees down to some extent and, as a outcome, the value of the foundation Vento 1.0TSI with a 6-velocity handbook is not wildly highly-priced.
New 6-velocity torque convertor automated gearbox on the 2020 Vento.
Even so, the bulk of desire would be for the automated variant, and to be more aggressive in this critical segment Volkswagen decided to swap the highly-priced (and complex) 7-velocity DSG twin-clutch gearbox for a traditional (and more affordable) 6-velocity torque converter unit. Also, the complexity of twin-clutch automatics has earned them a status for inadequate dependability, which has critically damage the brand –another reason why VW has ditched its a great deal vaunted DSG tech for a more established and trustworthy alternative. Even so, this transmission is a newest-generation Aisin unit, not to be confused with the other 6-velocity torque converter that did responsibility in the Vento and Skoda Rapid 1.6-litre petrol automated.
What is it like to drive?
There’s a ton to like about this new transmission in everyday driving eventualities. It shifts effortlessly and seamlessly for the most component, and smartly works its way all over the 1.-litre TSI’s turbo lag at very low revs. In reality, one of the most important advantages of torque converters is, as the identify suggests, a potent build-up of torque at very low revs. What is also wonderful is that the automated is not programmed to shift to the top rated-most ratio at the earliest, as a result extracting the most out of this compact-ability, a few-cylinder motor. So when you want to up the rate to keep up with traffic, there is generally ample performance on tap to get moving.
Flex your correct foot for a speedy overtake, or to close in a gap in flowing traffic, and that is exactly where this gearbox demonstrates some reluctance before it downshifts and transmits the 175Nm of torque, as a result lunging the car forward. The DSG confirmed a similar momentary hesitation in power shipping and delivery, but exactly where the new gearbox definitely scores is at slow speeds or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The fluid-pushed torque converter does not give the exact perceptible jerks as a DSG swapping cogs and feels so a great deal smoother, specially when accelerating off the line.
The 6-velocity auto ‘box is smoother at very low speeds in comparison to the older model’s twin-clutch unit.
If anything, the Vento creeps forward a bit much too enthusiastically from a standing get started for the reason that of the way the engine has been calibrated. To safeguard the engine from stalling beneath load, VW’s calibration engineers increased the idle velocity, which in change built the move off from a standstill a bit much too sharp. This can be difficult when you have to reverse or edge the Vento into a tight parking area and calls for some intense modulation of the brakes. Keeping the car in D2 lets you creep in advance in a comparatively smoother, more comfortable manner.
Like before, the Vento TSI does get a handbook method as nicely as a ‘Sport’ method for a more enthusiastic driving encounter. Rowing through the sequential handbook method is not fairly as worthwhile as in the DSG, and although in isolation it is obedient and speedy ample to shift, it does not meet up with the significant bar established by the lightning-speedy DSG, specially for the duration of upshifts. Whilst driving in a hurry, you do skip owning paddle shifters, which would have built the encounter a touch more partaking.
In the dash to 100kph, the Vento AT is slower than its predecessor but quicker than the 2020 Town.
In the Activity method, the automated retains on to every single gear ratio a great deal longer than in ‘D’, and it can frequently spin the motor nearer to its redline with an intense driver behind the wheel. To set the performance into viewpoint, this new Vento auto is as speedy as the 1.two TSI DSG to 60kph, and is only .5sec slower to 100kph. Compared to its rivals, the Vento is the quickest to 60kph or 100kph, clocking moments of 5.13sec and eleven.77sec,respectively, versus the Town CVT’s 5.forty five and eleven.85sec, and the Verna Turbo DCT’s 6.32 and 13.09sec. It is also quicker than the other individuals, which includes the 1.two TSI DSG, from twenty-80kph, using basically 6.61sec, versus the City’s 7.18sec and the Verna’s 7.29sec.
| 2020 Volkswagen Vento 1. TSI AT vs rivals: Performance | ||||
| Vento AT* | Vento DSG | Town CVT | Verna Turbo | |
| -60kph | 5.13s | 5.14s | 5.45s | 6.32s |
| -100kph | eleven.77s | eleven.24s | eleven.85s | 13.09s |
| twenty-80kph (in kickdown) | 6.61s | 6.75s | 7.18s | 7.29s |
| forty-100kph (in kickdown) | 8.87s | 8.56s | 8.57s | 9.05s |
*Performance figures not to Autocar India take a look at criteria
Is the 2020 Vento TSI AT value for money?
Priced at Rs twelve.ninety nine lakh for the Highline In addition variant, this sole automated supplying (for now) is Rs 91,000 more highly-priced than a in the same way specified handbook. For the money, it provides features like LED headlamps, sixteen-inch alloys, leatherette upholstery, cruise handle, traction handle, 4 airbags, a touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an auto-dimming within mirror and driven mirrors.
At the conclusion of the day, the 2020 Vento AT is a enjoyable, practical automated spouse and children car.
But if it is sheer features that you seek out, for a lakh less, the mid-spec SX 1.5 CVT variation of the Hyundai Verna provides a great deal superior value, with features these as an electric powered sunroof, wi-fi charging, keyless entry and go, a much larger 8-inch touchscreen and auto headlamps. What is more, the Honda Town and Hyundai Verna are accessible throughout multiple variants with lessen beginning factors, as a result widening their achieve and appeal.
Must I get one?
The Vento’s appeal lies in its potent fundamentals and its exclusive Volkswagen-ness, be it in the way it drives or its developed-to-final truly feel. Whilst this automated does not fairly match the technologically excellent DSG when it will come to an partaking driving encounter, it more than would make up for it with its smoothness, intuitiveness, outright performance and potentially its lengthy-term dependability. Far more cost-effective variants in the mix could even more broaden its appeal, but as points stand, despite its age, the Vento stays a skilled proposition. If a enjoyable to drive, practical, automated spouse and children car is what you seek out, this 2020 Vento TSI AT ticks all the correct containers.
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