Volkswagen India reveals all-new Ameo Cup race car for 2017 season

Volkswagen Motorsport India has unveiled the first look of the new Ameo Cup race-spec car, which will be used in the 2017 season replacing the outgoing Vento Cup car.

The all-new machinery has been prepped and developed in the German manufacturer’s Pune plant with the car fitted with some major upgrades to make it reach the level of international touring race cars.

The turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine comes from its sister Polo GTI car, producing 205PS at 6100 rpm in terms of power and 320 Nm at 3200-4600 rpm in terms of torque. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed sequential gearbox with steering-mounted paddle shifters.

The engineers at the Pune plant have developed a completely new ECU (Engine Control Unit) so that it suits the new engine and the gearbox control system. The cars will also run a whole new suspension setup along with a specially developed MRF tyres for the saloon car.

One striking addition to the Ameo car is the black rear spoilers, which certainly ticks the box in the looks department for the all-new machinery.

“The car is unlike anything Indian motorsport has seen from the Volkswagen’s stable,” said Sirish Vissa, Head of VW Motorsport India.

“It has more power and amazing handling, yet it is simple enough for budding racers to learn on. The race machine is at par with international standards and the new elements in the car make it possible to take our one-make series to a new high.”

Adding to Vissa’s comments, VW India’s MD, Dr. Andreas Lauermann said: “Volkswagen is committed to motorsport in India and with our premium one-make series we have helped develop some of the best racing talent in the country over the past seven years.

“With the Ameo Cup we have embarked upon yet another year of exciting races and this season is especially noteworthy as the motorsport team has developed the race car from ground up at the Volkswagen Pune Plant.

“With this, we continue our commitment to the sport and make our intentions clear – to offer the best racing technology in India.”

The new car has been rigorously tested by VW’s development driver Karthik Tharani, along with his elder brother Prasthanth and driver coach Rayomand Banajee, on various race tracks in India, since last year.

“The Ameo Cup race car is a very well sorted machine and this is evident with the test lap time of 1m51.780s, which is 4.6s quicker as compared to the Vento Cup race car,” revealed Karthik.

“The Ameo Cup race car is an ideal race machine for amateurs and racers alike – it has enough to keep all racers engaged while challenging them time and again.

“I have been through the programme that Volkswagen Motorsport India has put together and I can only reassure the budding drivers that this is the best stepping stone into the real world of professional racing.”

The Ameo Cup replaces the two-year-old Vento Cup, which was the successor to the four-year-old Polo Cup one-make championship.

The new season kicks off in June at Kari Motor Speedway, followed by two rounds at Madras Motor Race Track and the finale at Buddh International Circuit.

[Image courtesy: Volkswagen Motorsport India]