News Source: topspeed.com

With an annual production of more than 23 million vehicles per year, India has one of the largest automotive industries in the world. Hard to believe given that the country only began to liberalize its automobile market in 1991, but the high import taxes, which encourage cars to be produced locally rather than imported, have turned India into a big exporter. Also, the growing internal demand has prompted foreign automakers to open shop in India and even develop market-specific models. Important companies that have already did it include Ford  and Suzuki,  but Volkswagen  has recently joined in on the fun with subcompact sedan that just broke cover at the 2016 New Delhi Auto Expo.

The vehicle in question is dubbed Ameo and it is based on the PQ25 platform used by the Volkswagen Polo,  which pretty much makes it a Polo sedan.  Given that Volkswagen is already selling a Polo sedan in India with a Vento badge, the Ameo doesn’t seem to make much sense, but it’s the exterior dimensions that make the difference, and not just from a design standpoint. You see, in India size matters when it comes to taxes and insurance, which is why many automakers came up with sub-four-meter sedans, which are cheaper to own. Developed specifically for this market, the Ameo is basically Volkswagen’s answer to the Maruti Suzuki, Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, and Ford Figo Aspire.

The subcompact  German sedan will go on sale by the end of the year and will remain exclusive to the Indian market. Volkswagen will offer a choice of two engines, including a diesel. Find out more about it below.

Styling-wise, the Ameo is identical to the Polo from the nose to the C-pillars. The front fascia feature the facelifted Polo’s features, including the redesigned foglamps, the revised bumper grille, and the chrome strip. As we progress toward the back, we can see the same side mirrors, an identical wheelbase, and similar side and quarter windows. It’s the rear where the Ameo stands out compared to its hatchback sibling, sporting a brand-new bumper, a conventional trunk lid, and new taillights that seem to be based on the Polo’s, but have different shapes and cluster patterns.

Although described as a sedan, the Ameo is more like a notchback. The short rear deck and overhang suggests the trunk is rather cramped and the design is far from appealing. This shouldn’t be an issue with local customers though, as the Ameo was developed as an affordable, entry-level subcompact rather than a beauty contest winner. The Ameo’s interior is also identical to the Polo’s, down to the instrument cluster, center stack, and steering wheel. This is great news for subcompact customers, as they will have access to a more premium proposition compared to other vehicles competing in this niche. More good news comes from the convenience features department, as the Ameo will be the first subcompact in India to feature cruise control and rain-sensing wipers. Volkswagen  will also include static cornering lights and the dynamic Touchscreen multimedia system with Mirror link, iPod connectivity, and phonebook/SMS viewer as standard. The Volkswagen Ameo will be available with two engines. There will be a 1.2-liter three-cylinder with 74 PS (73 horsepower) and a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel with 89 PS (88 horsepower). While the gas unit is also offered in Europe, the 1.5-liter oil burner is built locally and brand-new to this platform. Transmission choices will include a five-speed manual for both engines and an optional, seven-speed DSG for the diesel. The brand promises that the Ameo will deliver class-leading handling and high-speed stability. Official specs have yet to be released, but we will be back when Volkswagen spills the beans. In spite of being built specifically for the Indian market, where safety regulations are more relaxed compared to those in Europe and North America, the Volkswagen Ameo is equipped with dual front airbags and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) as standard. A rear view camera with parking sensors is available as an option. Pricing for the Ameo is not yet available, but if Volkswagen wants its new subcompact to be competitive, it shouldn’t be a lot more expensive than its closest competitor, the Ford Figo Aspire. The latter retails from 515,900 Indian Rupees, which converts to about $7,615. Much like the Ford Figo Aspire, the Volkswagen Ameo is a compromise between the compact yet spacious Polo and the advantages of a proper sedan trunk. It’s by no means pretty when seen from the back, but the Ameo should do the job it was designed for. Such a model wouldn’t make much sense in Europe or North America, but its premium looks and numerous standard features for the buck should make it a strong player on India’s subcompact market. At first glance, the Ameo has what it takes to boost Volkswagen’s sluggish sales in South Asia’s largest automobile market.