Can VW Amex beat Maruti dZire, Tata Zest, Honda Amaze in price and performance?

Only available with a petrol engine option for now, diesel option will be launched at a later date.Volkswagen India launched their compact sub 4 meter sedan, Ameo today. Based on the Polo hatchback, Ameo is aimed at the likes of Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze and Tata Zest.

Available in three trims – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, VW Ameo is offered with first in class features like cruise control, rain sensing wipers, anti pinch power windows, front center arm rest, and static cornering lights.

As of now, the Ameo will only be available with petrol 1.2 liter MPI 3-cyl engine which generates max power of 75 PS mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. This variant claims to deliver a mileage of 17.83 kmpl.

A more powerful variant will be launched at a later date. This will get a 1.5 liter diesel mill, available in two tunes, 90 PS and 105 PS. The 90 PS version will be mated to a 5 speed MT while the 105 PS variant will get state of the art 7 speed DSG.

VW Ameo Specs
Engine 1.5L P, 1.5L D, 1.5L D
Transmission 5MT, 5MT, 7 DCT
Power (PS) 75, 90, 105
Toque (Nm) 110, 230, 250
L x W x H (mm) 3995 x 1682 x 1483
Wheelbase 2470 mm
Tyres 185/60 R15 Alloys
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 liters
Boot Capacity 330 liters
Mileage 17.83 kmpl
Kerb Wt (kgs) TL 1044, CL 1059, HL 1069

VW Ameo Price
?Fuel Variant Ex- Showroom (INR)
Mumbai* Delhi
(without Octroi & local taxes)
Petrol 1.2 MPI Trendline 5,13,864 5,24,300
Comfortline 5,87,914 5,99,950
Highline 6,91,680 7,05,900

Below are variant wise features of VW Ameo.

VW Ameo Trendline
VW Ameo Trendline Engine
– 1.2L MPI Petrol (5-speed Manual)
– 1.5L TDI Diesel (5-speed Manual)

VW Ameo Trendline Exterior Features
– Halogen headlamps in black finish
– Body-coloured bumpers
– Body-coloured outside door handles and mirrors
– Door mirrors with turn indicators
– Windshield in heat-insulating glass
– Steel spare wheel

VW Ameo Trendline Interior Features
– High-quality scratch-resistant dashboard
– Sporty flat bottom steering wheel design
– Front centre console including 12V outlet
– Storage compartment in front doors including holders for cups and 1.5 ltr. bottles
– Sunglass-holder inside glove box
– Driver side dead pedal
– Single-folding rear seat backrest (1st in segment)
– Black interior theme

VW Ameo Trendline Functional Features
– Air-conditioning
– Dust and pollen filter
– Digital clock and fuel gauge
– Outside rear view mirrors, manually-adjustable
– Instrument cluster with tachometer, speedometer, odometer and trip meter
– Lane change indicator
– Power windows, front
– Central locking
– Steering wheel, tilt and telescopic adjustable
– Speed-sensitive electronic power steering
– Vanity mirror in left side sunvisor
– Push to open fuel lid
– Front windshield wiper with intermittent control
– Luggage compartment lighting

VW Ameo Trendline Safety Features
– ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) (Standard in all variants)
– Dual-front airbags, driver and passenger side (Standard in all variants)
– Height-adjustable head restraints, front and rear
– Electronic Engine Immobiliser with floating code
– Front disc brakes
– 3-point front seat belts
– 3-point rear outer seat belts, lap belt in the middle
– Fog lamp, rear

VW Ameo Trendline Infotainment
– Radio preparation

VW Ameo Comfortline
VW Ameo Comfortline Engine
– 1.2L MPI Petrol (5-speed Manual)
– 1.5L TDI Diesel (5-speed Manual)
– 1.5L TDI Diesel (7-speed DSG)

VW Ameo Comfortline Exterior Features
All Trendline features and,

– Dual-beam headlamps

VW Ameo Comfortline Interior Features
All Trendline features and,

– Fabric ‘Desert Beige’ and dual-tone interior theme
– Cooled Glove Box
– Ambient lights with theatre dimming effect

VW Ameo Comfortline Functional Features
All Trendline features and,

– Cruise Control (1st in segment)
– Height-adjustable driver’s seat
– Outside rear view mirrors, electrically-adjustable
– Monochrome multi-function display (MFD) includes travelling time, distance travelled, digital speed display, average speed and fuel efficiency
– Power windows with one-touch operation (front and rear) (1st in segment)
– Opening and closing of windows with key remote (1st in segment)
– Remote-controlled central locking

VW Ameo Comfortline Safety Features
All Trendline features and,

– Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) (on variants equipped with DSG transmission)
– Fog lamps, front
– Anti-pinch power windows, front and rear (1st in segment)

VW Ameo Comfortline Infotainment Features
All Trendline features and,

– CD/MP3 player with USB, Aux-in, SD card input
– ™Bluetooth^^ connectivity for mobile phones
– ™i-Pod connectivity
– Phonebook sync
– 4 speakers

VW Ameo Highline
VW Ameo Highline Engine
– 1.2L MPI Petrol (5-speed Manual)
– 1.5L TDI Diesel (5-speed Manual)
– 1.5L TDI Diesel (7-speed DSG)

VW Ameo Highline Exterior Features
All Comfortline features and,

– Air dam detailing in chrome
– Chrome applique on door handles
– Alloy wheels (Set of 4)

VW Ameo Highline Interior Features
All Comfortline features and,

– Brushed aluminium finish on front centre console
– Chrome interior accents
– Leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome accents and piano black finish
– Leather-wrapped gearshift knob

VW Ameo Highline Functional Features
All Comfortline features and,

– Automatic Rain Sensing Wipers (1st in segment)
– Reverse parking camera
– Reverse parking sensors
– Front center armrest with rear AC vent
– ‘Climatronic’ automatic air-conditioning
– Outside rear view mirrors, electrically-foldable
– Speed-sensing auto door locks

VW Ameo Highline Safety Features
All Comfortline features and,

– Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror
– Front fog lamps with static cornering lights
– Rear de-fogger

VW Ameo Highline Infotainment Features
All Comfortline features and,

– Touchscreen Infotainment System
– SMS viewer
– ™MirrorLink^
– Steering wheel with audio and bluetooth controls
– *Voice command

VW Ameo Colours
The VW Ameo will be available in 5 exterior color options – Tofee Brown, Blue Silk, Reflex Silver, Candy White and Carbon Steel.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com