The new Volkswagen Ameo has just been revealed in India. The compact offering has been developed strictly for the Indian market, and will make a full debut in the second half of 2016.
Not surprisingly, the Ameo is based on the current-gen Volkswagen Polo, and features a lot of similar exterior and interior components. As such, the Ameo is largely similar to the current Polo.
The only obvious difference here is at the rear of the vehicle, where its boot’s shape has been altered to meet the necessary length requirements – Volkswagen has simply “repurposed” its Polo, if you will, to become a sub four-metre-long vehicle.
Why shorten the Polo, you ask? The answer to that is simply because the German manufacturer is aiming to make the most out of the Indian government’s incentives for compact and efficient vehicles.
In India, sub four-metre-long vehicles with either 1,200 cc petrol (and below) or 1,500 cc diesel (and below) engines qualify for a special eight percent excise duty. Any vehicle that goes over either of these requirements is immediately faced with a 20% excise duty.
Volkswagen says that the particular segment, which includes cars like the Maruti Suzuki Alto and Hyundai i10, doubled in terms of sales volume last year.
Inside, the Ameo features a dual-tone fabric interior, a multi-function three-spoke steering wheel and the same infotainment system as the Polo. The touch-sensitive screen is equipped with Bluetooth and MirrorLink capabilities, as well as USB and AUX inputs.
Additionally, the Ameo is equipped with items such as a rear-view camera, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, auto air-conditioning with rear air-cond vents, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual front airbags and ABS.
Two powertrain options are available, one being a 1.2 litre MPI petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the other a 1.5 litre TDI diesel engine mated to either a five-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto transmission. As expected, both engines adhere to the Indian government incentive’s requirements.
As mentioned, further details of the new Volkswagen Ameo will only be revealed in the second half of 2016. And remember, folks, this one’s just for sale in India.
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This is how Proton Saga should be from first place.
Interior – OK
Rear – Hideous , like being chopped off
Front – Mehhh, like Saga
VW India got honour. Not like the jokers in Malaysia. Keep away from VW in Malaysia
So long as it has no DSG then fine. Don’t become like VGM, always cheating Malaysians with their DSG lemons
It is hideous. Especially the rear design.
lol ugly.
pity India.
Syukur lah.