Volkswagen India has launched the Ameo compact sedan with prices starting from Rs 5.24 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This makes the Ameo's base variant around 10 thousand rupees cheaper than its hatchback sibling, the VW Polo's base variant.

The Volkswagen Ameo was originally showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo. It is based on the same platform that underpins the Polo hatchback, and has been given a length of 3995 mm to take advantage of the excise duty benefits of small cars. This has helped VW to price it competitively, thus placing it in the middle of its two rivals, the Maruti Suzuki DZire and the Honda Amaze.

Continuing its inclination to occupant safety, VW India has equipped the Ameo with dual airbags and ABS as standard across the entire range. The Ameo also gets many features like cruise control, rain sensing wipers, anti-pinch power windows, front centre armrest, and static cornering lights. Other features on offer include rear camera with parking sensors, touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, cooled glove box, rear AC vents, and electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs with integrated turn indicators.

Powering the Volkswagen Ameo would be a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder MPI engine, which is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and is tuned to develop 74 BHP and 110 Nm of peak torque. The fuel efficiency of the Ameo as per ARAI is marked as 17.83 kmpl. The updated version of company's 1.5 TDI diesel engine too will be put under the Ameo's hood, but at a later date.

Variant-wise prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) of the Volkswagen Ameo are:

• Ameo 1.2 Trendline - Rs 5,24,300

• Ameo 1.2 Comfortline - Rs 5,99,950

• Ameo 1.2 Highline - Rs 7,05,900