German car maker Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the Ameo compact sedan a day before the Auto Expo 2016. This is the company’s first foray into the already competitive sub four metre sedan market.
The Ameo has been designed specifically for the Indian market and will be produced at Volkswagen’s facility at Chakan in Pune. Production is slated to begin in the first half of this year.
The new Ameo is based on the Polo hatchback but comes with a shortened tail section. It gets new tail lamps that look different from those on the Polo and the Vento. It comes segment first features like cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, static cornering lights and a touchscreen with Mirrorlink that replicates your phone’s screen. Other features on the Ameo include automatic climate control, rear view camera with parking sensors, cooled glovebox, auto dimming IRVM, static cornering lights, rear AC vents and alloy wheels. Safety features like ABS and airbags are standard across all variants of the Ameo.
The Volkswagen Ameo will come with the option of two enginesL a 1.2 MPI petrol engine and a 1.5 litre TDI diesel motor. The petrol engine will come mated to a five speed manual gearbox, while the diesel will come with the choice of a five speed manual or a seven speed DSG automatic gearbox.
The Volkswagen Ameo once launched, will rival the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Ford Aspire and the Tata Zest in the Indian market.
