Volkswagen Vento, Polo get ABS as standard

Volkswagen India has announced that it has made dual airbags and ABS as standard fitment across its entire model range in the country. It is the third carmaker to do so after Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Skoda Auto India.  

Previously only available with dual airbags as standard, both the Polo hatchback and Vento sedan only featured ABS from the mid-level Comfortline trim onwards. The safety features have now also been introduced on the base Trendline trim.

While there are no other changes to the Polo line-up, the Vento recently received an update with the old 105hp 1.5-litre diesel engine being replaced by the marginally more powerful 110hp diesel unit from the Volkswagen Ameo and the recently launched Skoda Rapid facelift.

Interestingly, sister brand Skoda, with the launch of the Rapid facelift also joined the club of volume-segment automakers that offered dual airbags and ABS as standard across its entire range. The Rapid was previously the only model in Skoda’s line-up that didn't get ABS as standard fitment; dual airbags were offered on all trim levels.

Toyota became the first automaker from the volume segment to offer dual airbags and ABS as standard fitment when it launched the facelifted Etios siblings earlier in the year.

Volkswagen India’s move to incorporate dual airbags and ABS comes as the Indian government prepares to make it mandatory for all cars to be equipped with airbags, rear-view sensors, speed warning systems with audible beeps, and seatbelt reminder as standard fitment from October 2017 for new cars and October 2018 for existing models.