Volkswagen Vento 2013-2015 Magnific 1.5 TDI Highline

Vento 2013-2015 Magnific 1.5 TDI Highline Review

For increasing the number of sales, Volkswagen India has launched the Magnific Edition of its illustrious sedan, Vento in the country's car market. It is available with both Comfortline and Highline variants in petrol and diesel engine options. Among them Volkswagen Vento Magnific 1.5 TDI Highline is the top end trim, which comes with a slew of additional features. The company has added one of the most important aspect, which is Blaupunkt infotainment system with front and rear display units along with 3G internet connectivity. This trim is fitted with a 1498cc diesel engine under the bonnet that has the ability of churning out a maximum power of 103.5bhp in combination with a peak torque output of 250Nm. This motor is cleverly mated with a five speed manual transmission gear box, which sends the engine power to its front wheels. Its braking and suspension mechanism are quite proficient, which keeps it well balanced at all times. For augmenting its braking system, this variant is blessed with an advanced ABS along with electronic brake force distribution. The manufacturer has given this sedan a sleek and lustrous body line. Its radiator grille is fitted with a couple of chrome slats and embedded with a prominent company logo in the center. In addition to these, it also has body colored bumper, door handles and ORVMs, a set of alloy wheels, heat insulated windscreen and so on. At the same time, its spacious internal cabin is made up up of high quality materials and further complimented by ambient lighting. Its seating arrangement is quite comfortable. This variant is incorporated with an advanced music system, efficient air conditioner with rear AC vents, Garmin navigation system, all four power windows with driver side auto down function, central locking system and many other such aspects. It also has a rigid body structure with crumple zones and impact beams that adds to the safety quotient. All these features put together makes it one of the comfortable and good looking sedan in its segment. The company is offering it with a standard warranty of two years or unlimited kilometers, whichever comes first.

Exteriors:

The company has not given any additional features to this variant and it looks like the already existing trims. This newly launched sedan has a sophisticated external appearance with refined outfits all over. To begin with the front profile, it is designed with a luminous headlight cluster that is equipped with conventional dual beam headlamps and side turn indicator. It has a bold radiator grille that has been fitted with a couple of chrome slats and is embossed with a prominent company insignia in the center. The body colored bumper houses a wide air intake section, which is flanked by a pair of bright fog lamps. The windscreen is made of heat insulating glass and it is integrated with a couple of intermittent wipers. The sleek bonnet has a few visible character lines that enhances the look of its frontage. Coming to its side profile, it comes with body colored outside rear view mirrors and door handles. These ORVMs are electrically adjustable and integrated with side turn indicator. In addition to these, the company has treated its B and C pillars with high gloss black shade, which further adds to its urbane appeal. The neatly crafted wheel arches are fitted with a set of 15-inch spoken alloy wheels, which are in a dual tone finish. These rims are covered with 185/65 R15 sized tubeless radial tyres. Its rear windscreen has a thick glossy black surround and is further accompanied by a wiper. It also has a third brake lights on top of the windscreen, which provides additional safety.

Interiors:

The spacious internal cabin of this Volkswagen Vento Magnific TDI Highline variant can easily take in five passengers and provide ample leg space along with head and shoulder room. It is incorporated with well cushioned seats, which are covered with fabric upholstery and provide ample leg space for all occupants. These are integrated with adjustable head restraints for additional comfort. The driver seat is electrically adjustable, while rear has split foldable function, which helps in increasing the boot volume of car. The cabin looks more decent with chrome insert on parking lever tip, gear shift knob and inside door handles. Its dashboard is equipped with AC vents, a large glove box with cooling effect, three spoke steering wheel and an advanced instrument panel with a few functions. It also has a 12V power socket in center console for charging mobiles and other electronic devices. The neatly designed center console is equipped with an advanced infotainment with quite a few functions. The chrome accentuated inside door handles, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob enhances the look of its cabin. The company has given it a number of utility based aspects that adds to the convenience of its occupants. The list includes, cup and bottle holder, front and rear center armrests, front seat back pockets, assist grips with coat hook, rear parcel shelf for easy access, sun visors with passenger side vanity mirror, remote fuel lid opener and so on.

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, this variant is equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 1498cc. It is integrated with four cylinders and sixteen valves using double overhead camshaft based valve configuration. This power plant has the capacity of churning out a maximum power of 103.5bhp at 4400rpm in combination with a commanding torque output of 250Nm between 1500 to 2500rpm. It is incorporated with a common rail based direct injection fuel supply system, which allows this variant to produce a maximum mileage 21.34 Kmpl on the bigger roads, while within the city limits it gives out close to 16 Kmpl. With the help of a five speed manual transmission gear box that propels the vehicle towards a top speed of approximately 175 kmph. At the same time, it takes about 14 to 15 seconds for crossing the speed mark of 100 Kmph from a standstill.

Braking and Handling:

For keeping the vehicle well balanced and stable, the company has given it a reliable braking as well as suspension mechanism. It front wheels are fitted with a set of discs, while rear gets conventional drum brakes. This braking mechanism is further augmented by ABS along with electronic brake force distribution, which prevents from wheel locking and offers a precise braking on the go. On the other hand, its front axle is assembled with a McPherson strut with stabilizer bar, while rear axle is equipped with semi independent type of mechanism with trailing arm. Both these axles are further assisted by gas filled shock absorbers and coil springs. It is incorporated with a speed sensitive electric power steering system that is tilt adjustable for helping the driver to steer the vehicle with utmost ease. This steering wheel supports a minimum turning radius of 5.4 meters.

Comfort Features:

Being the top end variant, this Volkswagen Vento Magnific 1.5 TDI Highline variant is equipped with a number of sophisticated features, which gives the occupants a comfortable traveling experience. Its automatic air conditioning system comes along with cluster ionizer for clean air, which will eventually keep the interiors pleasant and hygienic. The rear view camera has a display on ECM (electro-chromic mirror) that helps in easy parking and it also has reverse parking sensor as well. It has an advanced driver information system, which houses a digital tachometer, an electronic tripmeter, low fuel warning light, outside temperature display, door ajar warning, driver seat belt notification and many other such aspects for keeping the driver updated. The car maker is also offering the recently launched Magnific Special Edition with additional features like Garmin navigation system. It also has a new Blaupunkt touchscreen infotainment system along with rear seat entertainment system, which have WiFi and 3G connectivity. Its steering wheel is mounted with call and audio control buttons.

Safety Features:

This trim is blessed with a lot of vital protective aspects, which keeps the passengers as well as vehicle safe. The list includes an advanced engine immobilizer system for preventing from theft, a central locking system, ABS with EBD, clutch lock system, air bags for driver and front co-passenger and rear defogger. It is also blessed with impact sensing auto door lock, automatic headlight control, electro-chromic inside rear view mirror, front fog lamps, rear view camera, parking sensors, hill hold control, an electronic stabilization program and so on.

Pros:

1. Advanced Blaupunkt touchscreen infotainment system is a big plus point.
2. Attractive exteriors with a lot of styling aspects.

Cons:

1. Ground clearance can be improved.
2. Engine noise and harshness can be reduced.