The Volkswagen compact sedan will be revealed at the upcoming Auto Expo and gets a proper three-box body style with several components to be shared with the Polo and Vento models.
When not removing defeat devices, Volkswagen India is busy developing its next major product a compact sedan that was recently caught testing on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Codenamed VW ICS, the new German compact sedan could be called Ameo upon launch as per earlier reports and will be Volkswagen’s first India specific product with the length restricted to the 4-metre mark. In addition to the Ameo, the automaker is also testing the Golf premium hatchback in its Left Hand Drive (LHD) guise and was snapped during one of its test runs.
On the outset, the design language on the Volkswagen Ameo seems to be carried over from the Polo/Vento and the tail lights on the test mule come from the hatchback complete with the L-shaped brake lights. The boot appears to be visibly reduced in size and does not get the notchback styling as some of you hoped for. The rear also gets completely flattened in a bid to restrict the length to the 4-metre barrier. It is believed that the new model could get a smaller wheelbase than that of the Polo.
The spy shots also partially reveal the Volkswagen compact sedan’s beige finished interior and is expected to share a host of components with the Polo including the flat-bottom steering wheel. Engine options will include the 1.2-litre three-cylinder MPI petrol and 1.5-litre four-cylinder TDI diesel units, paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. It will be interesting to see if the automaker chooses to offer the 7-speed DSG autobox. The source also suggested that the test mule was holding around corners well and did triple digit numbers with ease.
Volkswagen has officially confirmed that the upcoming compact sedan will be making its debut at the 2016 Auto Expo. The auto giant has invested Rs. 720 crores in the development of the new model and will be produced alongside the Polo and Vento at the Chakan based facility. Pricing will be a key factor for the success of the compact sedan in the heavily contested segment that has some very capable products including the Maruti DZire, Hyundai Xcent, Ford Figo Aspire and the likes.
Spy Picture Source – Team-BHP.com