TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
1198cc, Petrol
Transmission
5-Speed Manual
Power
74bhp@5400rpm
Torque
110Nm@3750rpm
Turning Radius
4.97 meters
Suspension
Front: McPherson Strut / Rear: Semi Independent trailing arm
Brakes
Front: Disc / Rear: Drum
Tyres
185/60 R15
Boot Space
330 Litres
Fuel Efficiency
17.83 kmpl
Expected Price
Rs. 5.24 lakh (ex showroom Delhi)
Volkswagen’s new compact sedan Ameo will be pitting itself against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze and Tata Zest. Will it give its competitors a run for their money? Let’s check out the small dream car from the Volkswagen stable.
The Ameo is primarily based on the platform of the Polo hatchback and derives most of its qualities from the Polo. It is also powered by the same 1.2 L MPI petrol engine which is in the Polo with the 1.5 L TDI diesel engine to be offered around the festival season this year. This 1.2 L petrol mill puts out 74bhp at 5400rpm and 110Nm of torque at 3750rpm. The power from the engine peaks close to the end of the power band leaving you wanting for much more at the lower revs.
We took the Ameo to approximately 150kmph and it did take the vehicle a while to get up to that mark. However it climbs to 120kmph easily after which the buildup of speed does seem a bit stretched. On steep inclines and through some hilly roads the Western Ghats had to offer, the Ameo threw in some surprises. The 110Nm of torque sent to the front wheels was adequate for these steep gradients.
The Ameo stands at the 3995 mm mark thus putting it in the compact sedan segment. But despite being under 4 meters the Ameo offers a boot space of 330 litres which we felt was more than adequate for your weekend luggage. The Ameo does resemble the Polo in all respects except for the addition of a boot. The distinct C pillar is clearly visible in the Ameo.
The company designers have done a good job of giving the Ameo smooth flowing lines which make the boot look somewhat symmetrical to the rest of the car. When looked at from the side the boot however does seem smaller and disproportionate but that is a common phenomenon on all cars of this segment barring the Honda Amaze.
The Ameo has a softly sprung suspension which is facilitated by a McPherson Strut in the front and a Semi Independent Trailing Arm in the rear. The suspension is quite adept at taking on bad roads and occupants in the cabin don't get tossed about too much. The Ameo rides on 185/ 60 R15 tyres which are very sticky and grip the road quite well. We put this compact sedan through some really sharp corners at speeds in excess of 60kmph and the Ameo was able to take it all in its graceful stride. It has a turning radius of just 4.97 meters.
One of the striking aspects of the Ameo is that it will be offered with ABS and dual front Airbags as a standard feature. Braking on the Ameo is facilitated by discs in the front and drum brakes in the rear.
Once nestled inside the cabin of this compact sedan the German build and finish quality is quite evident. The quality of plastics is good and the overall design of the cabin is quite contemporary. The first thing you will notice is the sleek looking three spoke steering wheel with a piano black finish. The touch and feel of the steering itself lends a very premium appeal to this vehicle putting it ahead of its competitors.
The steering mounted controls have been ergonomically placed to ease the use of the infotainment system. The Ameo also comes with a single folding back rest, cruise control, automatic rain sensing wipers, one touch power windows, remote opening of windows, AUX, USB and bluetooth enable touch screen infotainment system, automatic climate control apart from other features.
On the safety front the vehicle comes with ABS, Dual airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold control and other safety aids. The Ameo is also available in 5 different color schemes and promises of a fun and thrilling driving experience. The 1.2 L petrol mill returns almost 17.83kms to the litre which is decent by industry standards. The current mapping is very practical for city driving where one does not have too much scope of crossing 120kmph. On highways this vehicle may just leave you a little disappointed but it’s definitely city smart!
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