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Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the new compact-sedan, the Ameo, ahead of the Auto Expo 2016. The compact sedan with length just under four metres, will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze and the Hyundai Xcent.
The Ameo is based on the Polo hatchback with the same wheelbase of 2469mm. The front is similar as well. The side profile is the same till the rear door. The C-pillar has been shrunk to fit in the boot to give it a sedan look. Volkswagen has used beige fabrics with a black and beige dual-tone dashboard. The headlamps design has been carried forward from the Polo and they also integrate cornering lamps.
Volkswagen has crammed the new Ameo with long list of features. The new compact sedan gets rain sensing wipers and cruise control – a segment first. It gets a rear view camera with parking sensors, an auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, a cooled glovebox and a soft-touch boot-lid opener. It also gets automatic climate control with vents for the rear passengers. Like in the Polo and the Vento the flat bottom steering can be adjusted for rake and reach and gets steering mounted audio controls. The driver seat is height adjustable and gets a armrest like the Vento.
Under the hood, you get two engine option. The now familiar 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine that develops 74bhp of power and 110Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and the 1.5-litre diesel mill that churns out 89bhp of power and 230Nm of torque coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. The diesel will also get an automatic option – the seven-speed DSG which will be offered with the 104bhp setup of the diesel engine from the Vento.
The Ameo should be available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline trims like other Volkswagens with the Highline being the top-spec car. We expect the Ameo to be priced at Rs 5.9 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi when it is launched in July, later this year.
