Spied - Is this the VW Vento GT TSI or the Vento LPG/CNG?

01/10/2013 - 12:29 VW Vento, Volkswagen, Spy pictures Anjan Ravi

A factory fresh VW Vento was caught on test recently, by Indian Autos Blog reader Snatak Mundade. When we say factory fresh, we literally mean it, for this Vento seems to have its entire body wrapped in tape, which is usually reserved for when the vehicle is shipped out to the dealers to prevent dirt accumulation and scratches during handling.

VW Vento GT TSI spied — Note that there are two extra badges on the lower half of the bootlid.

While this could be an ordinary Vento, there is a small detail on its bootlid suggesting otherwise. Take a careful look at the image above and you can notice that four badges have been covered. This is rather surprising as the regular Vento features two badges, one saying 'Volkswagen' and the other mentioning 'Vento' along with 'TDI' in case of diesel models. Both these badges are situated on the upper half of the bootlid.

2012 VW Vento IPL Edition rear — Rear of the current Vento - note the blank lower half of the boot lid.

VW Vento GT TSI spied side — This Vento seems to be fresh off the assembly line.

So what are those other two badges supposed to convey? Could it be 'GT' and 'TSI'? The bootlid of the Polo GT TSI has a similar arrangement where both badges are situated on the lower half of the hatch. It is believed that VW India would launch a GT TSI variant on the Vento early this month.

VW Vento GT TSI spied front — The grille doesn't seem to sport the 'GT' badge however.

Or this could be a 'BI FUEL' Vento with a factory fitted CNG/LPG kit. VW has been known to test a CNG powered Vento in India for quite sometime, though we haven't seen the vehicle being launched here. With diesel prices increasing, and petrol already at a sky-high price, VW could have reason to believe that a CNG/LPG variant with a lower running cost, would find a lot of prospects.