The Guangzhou Auto Show gave us a chance to get up close with the new Santana. Volkswagen is using its tried and tested “Same sausage, different lengths” throughout its China models, from the Passat (US Passat) to the Magotan (Euro Passat) to the Sagitar (US Jetta) to the New Bora (China Bora), to the VW Lavida (China only) to the all new Jetta (China Jetta), except the New Jetta wasn’t on display. The New Bora was on show but that was lost to a crowd of media and consumers who were eager to open and close the doors, so we didn’t get too many photos of that. Sometimes I often wonder if VW executives could actually tell their products apart if all the badges were removed…
The New Santana sits on top of the VW Polo platform and is considerably smaller than the Santana we know all so well, especially in the rear leg room. Engines will come from the choice of 1.4L and 1.6L engines taking to 6sp automatic and manual gearboxes. This Santana will be part of VW’s plan to enter into third and fourth tier cities with more upto date models, pricing will be affordable from 70,000RMB to 100,000RMB.
“…considerably smaller than the Santana we know all so well, especially in the rear leg room.”
That kind of renovation boggles the mind. Why would the maker of untold numbers of iconic taxis want to break stride by introducing a less comfortable, less rider friendly, successor.
VW are slowly loosing the plot re China models and market fit-sad really!
On the surface it looks that way, but they dont seem to have a China model that isn’t racking up mass volume sales or leading in its segment.