First Volkswagen EV in India to be a hatchback?
Electric cars are slowly gaining momentum in India. Traditionally, hatchbacks have always been the preferred choice in the country. They make up 40% to 50% of the total car sales in the country. Currently in India, we have no electric hatchbacks. However, this is soon going to change with upcoming electric cars like Altroz EV, MG Air, etc. Volkswagen also has the opportunity to join the party if it brings one specific global product to India. This product is the e-UP. In today’s article, we will talk about this potential first Volkswagen EV for India.
Volkswagen EV in India – Design
The Volkswagen e-UP comes with a simple but practical design language. At the front, we have pearl-shaped headlamps with a small grille in the middle connected to a sloping bonnet. Below that we have C-shaped LED DRLs on the bumpers. What about the side profile? The side profile is kept clean hardly any cuts and creases. At the rear, we have a blacked-out tailgate and vertical taillamps.
Specifications
The UP comes in petrol and electric options. Volkswagen is most likely to bring the EV version to India. Why do we think so? Volkswagen has already discontinued the Polo and has no plans to bring another small ICE hatchback. Moreover, with the electric hatchback space empty, the e-UP is most likely to make its mark here. The e-UP comes with a 32.3kWh battery delivering a claimed range of 260km on a single charge. What about the power? The e-UP can do 0-100kmph in 12.4 seconds and has a top speed of 130kmph.
Volkswagen EV in India- Features
Features have become an important part of the car buying experience. The Volkswagen e-UP might not be the most feature-loaded car but it comes with all the basic features that buyers would need in day to day usage. Features like a 5.0-inch screen, 15-inch alloy wheels, Volkswagen Connect, hill hold control, lane assist, and tyre pressure loss indicator have been made available. A few extra features would definitely be needed to impress more buyers.
Will it come to India?
There is no official confirmation from Volkswagen regarding e-UP. However, before answering the question that whether the e-UP will make it to India, let’s ponder over some points. Volkswagen & Skoda are already planning to develop a mass-market, affordable EV for India. Now, this EV is still some time away (somewhere around 2025), but one thing to note is that it will come based on the brand’s MEB platform. The e-UP, however, is not based on MEB. Moreover, the e-UP is said to discontinue by 2025 and will be replaced by a product under the ID family. So, the probability of this EV seeing an India launch are very slim. However, the first Volkswagen EV that the brand produces for emerging markets like India could probably be a hatchback.
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