Saar: It will be used to power models from Skoda, Volkswagen and Audi.
Volkswagen Group, as part of its ‘India 2.0’ project, has decided that it will produce the tiny 1.0-litre TSI engine in India. Reason? Cost saving, of course! The locally produced engine will help the automotive group from Germany to keep the costs down and that will reflect the final asking price of the cars that will come out.
As you must be aware, Skoda Auto has been given the responsibility to take charge of vehicle development for India. And all the models which will be built specifically for India will be underpinned by Volkswagen’s MQB-A0-IN platform. It is a tweaked derivative of the MQB-A0 which also does duty in several cars from the Volkswagen Group globally.
Which cars will receive this engine? Skoda will be the first to receive the locally produced engine to power its compact SUV, which is scheduled to break cover, at least, in 2020. Likewise, Volkswagen will use it to power its version of the compact SUV (could be the teased T-Cross), which will have the same skeleton underneath. Later, both Volkswagen and Skoda will add one product each to cater to a different segment. Those products will also get this 1.0-litre TSI engine.
Before we get into the specifications area, let’s not forget that Audi is also part of the Volkswagen Group. In all probability, Audi India will land the new A1 hatchback on our shores and that, in international markets, will also be sold with the same 1.0-litre TSI engine. If Audi can use the locally produced engine, it will be able to price the A1 hatch quite competitively.
Over to the spec-sheet. Globally, the 1.0-litre TSI engine, which is a turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol mill, is available in several states of tune. They are:
- 85PS/175Nm
- 95PS/175Nm
- 110PS/200Nm
- 115PS/200Nm
The engine can be mated to a 5- or 6-speed manual transmission as well as the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, which is also known by the acronym DSG.
Skoda and Volkswagen will be investing heavily in the Indian market and some of the funds will go into expanding and upgrading its retail and manufacturing hubs. Currently, the duo has one plant each in India – Skoda in Aurangabad and Volkswagen in Chakan. Apart from those, Volkswagen Group is also developing a project centre in India where vehicle development will take place and its operations will be led by Skoda Auto.
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