NOW HERE’S A PLEASANT surprise. We all know the 1-litre TSI is going to be the mainstay of the Skoda-VW range — it is heavily localised, cheaper to make, more efficient, mated to the more affordable torque converter transmission, and will push out at least 80 per cent, if not more, of the overall volume. But Volkswagen are serious about the 1.5 TSI. They’re also serious about maintaining their hard-won ‘premium’ brand positioning. And they are banking on the reputation of the GT badge to enable both.
There’s smart product planning at work here. The GT has always sat at the top of the range, has always been desirable, has always been expensive and that should temper the enthusiasm of keyboard warriors to scream at what will be premium pricing for the Taigun GT. The 1.5 TSI motor is after all assembled not manufactured in India. And we all know that DSG gearboxes are expensive. But, unlike the Polo where the GT was only offered with the automatic, the Taigun will have two GT trims. GT Plus is the all-bells-and-whistles variant with the DSG but the surprise package is the GT whose affordability will not only be aided by the manual but also enhanced by the deletion of kit. It’s for enthu cutlets who’d rather pay for performance than frippery such as a sunroof.
Denne historien er fra August 2021-utgaven av evo India.
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Denne historien er fra August 2021-utgaven av evo India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FAST STEAD
This Skoda Octavia RS 230 is fast enough to blow your mind but not its engine
![Ford Fusion](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a4aad6a672/crp_Ford-Fusion.jpg)
Ford Fusion
Practical, great engine and dynamics, but weird styling ensured buyers stayed well away
Mahindra Bolero Neo
Armed with an iconic badge, a fresh face and a mechanically locking differential, the Bolero Neo could just be the compact SUV you’ve been looking for
RISING FROM THE ASHES
The third generation Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world, and a bike that truly deserves to be ridden flat out at the High Speed Track at NATRAX
![BIJOY KUMAR Y](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a59dd645a4/crp_BIJOY-KUMAR-Y.jpg)
BIJOY KUMAR Y
Bijoy is quite looking forward to what the recent space launches could mean
DOA: HSV HRT 427
This racing-inspired 7-litre Holden Monaro garnered more than enough interest for its limited production run to sell out. But sadly the sums didn’t add up
Mini Cooper S Convertible
Mini gives the Convertible a more modern front end, more technology on the inside and a very bright paint scheme
VW Taigun GT
Good news! With two GT variants, Volkswagen are set to make the 1.5 TSI motor even more accessible to us enthusiasts
![THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a4bb36041e/crp_THE-DOCTOR-CHECKS-OUT.jpg)
THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT
As Rossi decides to hang up his boots after 26 seasons, we take a look back at his journey through MotoGP
![“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a557ba7636/crp_Speaking-to-Dr-N-Karuppaiah-additional-director-and-centre-head-NATRAX.jpg)
“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”
Speaking to Dr N Karuppaiah, additional director and centre head, NATRAX