After a series of teasers, Volkswagen officially unveiled the facelifted Virtus in India, a global sedan that will be offered in over 25 countries. The Virtus has been available in South America since 2018 but the new version gets upmarket styling and more tech, while sharing the MQB A0-IN platform with the Skoda Slavia.
Styling-wise, the Virtus doesn’t look like a Polo sedan anymore thanks to the redesigned face. The bumper is more pronounced with sportier intakes featuring glossy black and chrome elements. The grille is better integrated with the simpler LED headlights, while the rear end gets new LED graphics for the taillights and a slightly updated rear bumper with faux exhaust pipes and diffuser.
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Besides the new wheel designs, the side view remains virtually unchanged, sharing the greenhouse and the doors with the Skoda Slavia. In terms of dimensions, the facelifted Virtus measures 4,561 mm (179.6 inches) long, 1,752 mm (69 inches) wide, and 1,507 mm (59.3 inches) tall with a wheelbase of 2,651 mm (104.3 inches). This makes it 79 mm (3.1 inches) longer than the pre-facelifted model and slightly longer and taller than the Skoda.
Inside, the dashboard gets new trim options, a multi-function steering wheel, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, and a larger 10-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Other available features include auto climate control with touch-sensitive sliders, ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad, a sunroof, an eight-speaker sound system, a reversing camera, and up to six airbags. Boot space has a capacity of 521 lt (18.4 cubic feet), which is identical to the Skoda Slavia.
The VW Virtus is available with two engine options – the Dynamic Line with a 1.0 TSI three-cylinder producing 113 hp (85 kW / 115 PS), and the GT-badged Performance Line with a 1.5 TSI EVO four-cylinder producing 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS). Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 1.0 TSI is optionally available with a six-speed torque converter automatic, and the 1.5 TSI can be had with a seven-speed DSG.
India will be the first market to get the updated Virtus in May 2022 as a replacement to the aging Vento, with other markets following in the near future. The model is already available to pre-order in India where it will compete with the likes of the Skoda Slavia, the Honda City, the Hyundai Verna, and the Suzuki Ciaz.
