Volkswagen building small car for India on Up! series

As the debut of the Lupo (hatchback of the Up! series) nears, speculation is rife about it arriving here in 2012 with a 800cc petrol engine and 1.2-liter diesel engine.

VW has dropped plans to sell rebadged Marutis in India and the new small car will have the “Volkswagen” name in block letters at the rear similar to the Polo and Vento. The Lupo will be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year. A number of models are planned on the Up! platform and the possibility of a car under the Polo is exciting news to VW fanboys.

The Lupo was caught testing along with its cousins from Skoda (Youngster) and Seat (Arosa) earlier this year. The model will be presented in both 3- and 5-door forms. Over the next few years we’re expecting to see hybrid and electric powertrains on the Up! family.

A sedan on this platform can help Volkswagen capture a good market share in the Dzire/Etios category and a mini SUV on the low-cost Up! platform will enable them to price it under 10 lakh rupees. Sounds like a long shot? Read further.

On the VW UK website, Volkswagen says -

Volkswagen are developing a production version of the Up! and its family of cars

The Up! will be presented this year, perhaps there will be a special media preview before the grand unveiling in Frankfurt. We are expecting Volkswagen to release additional details on the run up to the launch.