2016 Delhi Auto Expo: Volkswagen Ameo Compact Sedan showcased, market launch months away
The global premiere of the Volkswagen Ameo has taken place at the Auto Expo 2016. The Indian Compact Sedan (ICS) is Volkswagen’s move to venture into a sub-four compact sedan segment looking to grab the market share from the leading Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Ford Figo Aspire, Hyundai Xcent and Tata Zest.
Several spyshots were revealed of the German manufacturer’s sedan leading up to the launch at the India’s biggest motoring show. The engine options will be as identical to the Polo with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel units. The three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol mill is tuned to develop 74 bhp at 5,400 rpm and 110 Nm of peak torque at 3,750 rpm whist the TDI diesel engine is capable of generating 89 bhp at 4,200 rpm and 230 Nm of peak torque at 1500 rpm.
Both engines will be mated to a five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. A potent 1.2-litre TSI unit with seven-speed DSG transmission could more likely rival Ford Figo Aspire automatic. The Sub four-metre sedan has been designed mainly for Indian buyers and will be rolled out of the production at the German manufacturer’s base in Chakan with equipment like dual airbags, ABS and EBD offered as standard across all variants.
On the inside, the Ameo has AC vents for rear passengers, Outside Rear View Mirrors with turn indicators, front centre armrest, a touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink, rear passenger handle to push co-driver seat for added space, auto-dimming IRVM and roof antenna. The Ameo will feature height adjustable driver seat, 15-inch alloy wheels, chilled glovebox, dual-tone black and beige interior colour options with silver touches on the centre console, reversing camera and rear parking sensor.
The Volkswagen Ameo adopts design cues from its bigger brother Vento and similar mechanicals based on the Polo platform. It’s expected to arrive at showrooms in the middle of 2016. The Ameo will spearhead the company’s turnaround in fortunes as it registered average sales in 2015 by holding a market share of around 1.5 per cent.
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