All-new Volkswagen Virtus sedan showcased in Brazil, might launch in India
In August this year, we got a sneak peek of the all-new Volkswagen Virtus sedan when it was spied for the first time at what looked like VW's manufacturing facility. And now Volkswagen has officially unveiled the Virtus sedan in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that will be the replacement of the Vento in international markets. Based on the sixth generation Polo hatchback's MQB platform, the all-new Volkswagen Virtus specifically focusses on the South American market and is a part of the 20 new models that the company plans to launch by 2020, out of which 13 will be manufactured in Brazil.
The all-new Volkswagen Virtus shares its styling cues with the new-gen Mk6 Polo hatchback. While the lights and the grille look similar, the front bumper design has got changes in the form of new contours and profiles. The side looks similar except for the new alloys. The rear profile, however, bears no resemblance to the Vento. Instead, Volkswagen has gone for a more premium design similar to what we have seen on the Audi A4. The boot spoiler and the angular tail lights suggest the same.
The cabin of the Volkswagen Virtus gets the new TFT instrument display along with the large central infotainment screen which will be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with navigation options. The sedan also features a flat-bottom steering wheel with metal inserts. The cabin too has minimal buttons. The array of safety features now brings it at par with the much bigger Golf as well as the Passat, which is a good thing.
Since the Volkswagen Virtus is based on the company's latest MQB platform, it has a wheelbase of 2,650mm, that in an increase of 80mm as compared to that of Polo. Additionally, the boot space of the sedan stands generous at 521-litre from the hatchback.
The all-new Volkswagen Virtus will be powered by a 128PS/200Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI motor mated to a 6-speed automatic. The other unit that will be offered on the 2018 Volkswagen Virtus is a 116PS/162Nm 1.6-litre petrol paired with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. The 1.6L will also be available with an optional 5-speed automatic transmission.
"With our Transform 2025+ strategy, we have set ourselves a clear target. In all the key regions, Volkswagen intends to become the most attractive volume brand. The Virtus shows how we are reinforcing the positioning of the brand in the regions. The new Volkswagen models, which will be precisely tailored to customers' wishes, will be quality and technology leaders in the volume segment," said Jürgen Stackmann, member of the board of management, sales, Volkswagen
Volkswagen has not clearly mentioned if it plans to launch the Virtus sedan anytime soon. However, looking at the popularity of the compact sedans in India, it is most likely that the Virtus might arrive in India sometime later next year. Volkswagen will be making an investment of €1.8 billion in Brazil for the development of upcoming offerings. Additionally, the company will be putting in €560 million for a new SUV model in Argentina, which will go in production from 2020 onwards.