VW Ameo to be available only with petrol engine initially - Report

Expected to arrive in showrooms from July.

According to a report from Autocar India, the VW Ameo will initially launch only with a petrol engine, while the diesel variants will be introduced in a later date. Though the diesel engine is the same EA 189 series 1.5-liter four-cylinder unit, as the ones used by the VW Polo, Vento and Skoda Rapid, this engine is expected to receive an update with a new turbocharger.

The new turbocharger will result in the engine developing 112 hp as against 103 hp of the current unit. VW India intends on debuting this updated engine on the Ameo, before introducing it on its other products. The company has confirmed that the TDI unit will be available with a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG on the Ameo, similar to the Vento.

Initially though, buyers will only have the option of the 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine which puts out 75 hp and 110 Nm of torque. It will be paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. VW has not announced its more powerful 1.2-liter TSI with 7-speed DSG package for the Ameo, reserving this powertrain only for the VW Polo GT TSI and the Vento TSI for now.

Also read: India-bound 2016 VW Tiguan - Auto China 2016

VW India announced at the time of the Ameo's unveil that a market launch can be expected in the early part of the second half of the year. Many reports state that the compact sedan is expected in showrooms from July.

Rivals: Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Ford Figo Aspire, Tata Zest
Expected Price: INR 5-8.5 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Release date: July 2016

[Source: AutocarIndia]