New VW Virtus sedan to premiere globally in India on March 8th

Simran Rastogi Published: February 16, 2022, 02:18 PM IST

Volkswagen India is gearing up for the big reveal of the updated VW Virtus sedan on March 8th, incidentally also the global reveal of the facelifted sedan, which will first go on sale right here in India before anywhere else in the world. For reference, the VW Virtus is currently sold in South American markets, and VW's global sedan will eventually make it abroad post its India launch, itself slated for May this year. The VW Virtus is based on the MQB-A0 IN platform as part of the India 2.0 line-up, similar to the Skoda Slavia launching on February 28th this year, and will see the same powertrains as the Skoda sedan, and by extension, the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun SUVs.

Artist's render of the VW Virtus facelift

VW Virtus facelift changes

We expect the VW Virtus facelift to carry an updated face more in tune with recent global VW models, considering the Virtus first went on sale in South America in 2018. This would indicate a sleeker grille, updated headlamps, the new VW signature LED DRLs along the width of the fascia, as our renders suggest. The VW Virtus sold internationally is a larger car than the Vento it replaced, and if the dimensions of the Skoda Slavia are any indication, the updated car will be even larger than the international model, going up in length to 4.5m, with a wheelbase of 2,651mm that bests the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz by a single millimetre, to become the longest wheelbase sedan in the segment.

Image of current VW Virtus interiors used for representation only

We're also told to expect fresh interiors versus the outgoing car, with a large 10-inch central touchscreen as on the Taigun, as well as digital instrumentation, with the layout of the dashboard expected to stay similar to that of the Skoda Slavia, though whether the freestanding infotainment screen carries forward or is integrated into the dash remains to be seen.

VW Virtus powertrains, specifications

Like the rest of the India 2.0 models, the VW Virtus too will offer a petrol-only line-up comprising of the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI with a 6-speed manual, or 6-speed auto, with the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder TSI engine offering a 6-speed manual, or 7-speed DSG. Power outputs for the two powertrains will mimic the SUV counterparts, at 115PS and 150PS respectively. It's also possible that the Virtus with the larger engine will be badged as the GT, as with the Taigun, though that's not usually a badge we see on Volkswagen sedans. We've spotted the VW Virtus undergoing tests recently in left-hand drive guise, possibly testing powertrain configurations, but we did notice that this vehicle's wheels seemed better suited to the car than the Skoda Slavia's proportions. When the VW Virtus goes on sale in May, its rivals will include the Skoda Slavia, Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and expected badge-engineered Toyota sedan.

Also read,

Near-production Volkswagen Virtus spied ahead of expected March unveil

Skoda Slavia to launch in India on February 28

2022 Skoda Slavia first look: Interior and styling impressions

Artist's render: Ram Shrikhande

Honda City 2021 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 10.9 Lakhs

Displacement
1497cc

Transmission
Manual

Max Power(ps)
100

Max Torque(Nm)
145

Mileage
17.8 Kmpl