Volkswagen just named its India-specific compact sedan as Ameo, and the first picture of the car, which is scheduled to be unveiled at Auto Expo 2016, has been leaked. The picture from Motorbeam shows the rear-end of the car with new tail lamps. This is the same tail lamp Volkswagen has officially revealed with the announcement of the name.

The picture makes it clear that the Ameo is not a notchback, as rumoured. The boot is small to keep the car under 4 metre in length, which will invite reduction on excise duty. The creased rear number plates look similar to Skoda Rapid. It is commendable that despite the added boot, the car is good to look at.

The Ameo will get rear AC vents, front centre armrest, touchscreen audio system, auto-dimming IRVM, turn indicators on ORVMs and antenna on the roof. Based on the PQ24 platform that underpins the Polo and the Vento, the Ameo is expected to come with a face similar to the Vento. The car was caught testing in Pune recently, and indicated the side profile would look similar to the Vento sedan.

Though Ameo's specifications have not been released yet, Volkswagen is expected to continue with the 1.2-litre MPI and TSI petrol and the 1.5-diesel engines sold in Polo hatchbcak. VW Ameo will be pitted against the likes of Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Tata Zest, Hyundai Xcent and Ford Aspire.

VW India has invested Rs 720 crore in the development of this new model for India. The investment is also being used for setting up of new equipment and production of the Ameo.

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