The new Volkswagen Virtus has just made its world premiere and India will be the first market the sedan will go on sale in. It’s worth noting that Volkswagen already sells the Virtus abroad as its global midsize sedan, and the model unveiled today is its made-in-India facelift that will be sold in over 25 countries. The Virtus will also replace the ageing Vento sedan in VW’s India range.
The new Volkswagen Virtus will be available in two distinct variant lines – Dynamic Line, which includes all the 1.0 TSI variants, and the Performance Line, which includes the 1.5 TSI variants. Pre-bookings for the Virtus are open starting today.
- The new Virtus is based on the same platform as the Skoda Slavia
- Offered with a 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine
- India launch expected in May 2022
Volkswagen Virtus: design and dimensions
On the styling front, the new Virtus stays true to the Volkswagen’s latest design language, with its sharp and well-proportioned overall look. Up front, there are sleek wraparound headlights with tasteful chrome accents on the grille and bumper. When viewed in profile, its relation to its sibling – the Skoda Slavia – is most pronounced, as its silhouette, glass house and shoulder line are virtually identical. The rear of the new Virtus sports wraparound tail-lights and a neat bumper design. The top-spec Virtus 1.5 will be called the Virtus GT, similar to the Taigun GT. The Virtus GT gets plenty of black detailing on the exterior to help it stand out from the rest of the range.
The Virtus will be available in six colour options – Wild Cherry Red, Candy White, Carbon Steel Grey, Curcuma Yellow, Reflex Silver and Rising Blue Metallic.
| Volkswagen Virtus dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,561mm |
| Width | 1,752mm |
| Height | 1,507mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,651mm |
| Boot space | 521 litres |
The Virtus is based on the same MQB A0-IN platform as the Skoda Slavia, and hence, its no surprise that it is dimensionally similar. It measures in at 4,561mm long, 1,752mm wide, 1,507mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,651mm, making it one of the larger sedans in the midsize segment. It has a boot space of 521 litres.
Volkswagen Virtus: interiors and features
Inside, the cabin layout is modern and quite similar to the Taigun SUV: the Virtus also has a layered dashboard with a neatly incorporated 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system and VW's new three-spoke steering wheel. The GT variant gets red detailing on the dashboard, red stitching and aluminium pedals which ups its sporty quotient.
Other features offered with the fully kitted Virtus include an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, connected car tech, an 8-speaker audio system, auto climate control, ventilated front seats, a sunroof, ambient lighting, cooled glovebox, auto headlamps and wipers, a tyre pressure monitor, six airbags, ESC, hill-hold control and five adjustable headrests.
Volkswagen Virtus: engine and gearbox options
Much like the Slavia and Taigun, the new Virtus comes with two turbo-petrol engine options. These include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI unit that makes 115hp and 175Nm (only offered on DynamicLine variants) as well as a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI unit (only offered on Performance Line variants) that develops 150hp and 250Nm.
Gearbox options consist of a 6-speed manual offered as standard with both engines. Additionally, the 1.0 TSI can be had with a 6-speed torque converter, while the 1.5 TSI comes with a 7-speed DCT gearbox.
Volkswagen Virtus: launch and rivals
VW is expected to launch the new Virtus in the coming months. Once launched, it will compete with its sibling the Skoda Slavia as well as the rest of the midsize sedan segment which consists of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.
Also see:
2022 Volkswagen Virtus image gallery
12 years on, Volkswagen Polo India production to end soon
Made-in-India VW T-Cross exports commence