With the onslaught of recent SUV launches, the popularity of the C-segment sedan has certainly taken a hit, with no fresh metal being introduced in this segment for a while. All that is set to change however with the entry of the Volkswagen Virtus. While prices for the sedan haven’t been revealed yet, we do know that it will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and will be positioned similarly to the Skoda Slavia. But has Volkswagen done enough to ensure that the Virtus can take on the likes of the segment favourite, the Honda City, the Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz? Time to find out.
Look at the Virtus and it does remind you of the Vento, but make no mistake, it is a striking sedan. The new auto headlamps and the reworked front apron are the biggest differentiators, there’s the GT badge on the classy chrome grille and you get gloss black finishes on the lower bumper, along with a chrome strip. Move to the side and you will notice the 16-inch alloy wheels which are standard across the range, and while the Virtus retains a classic three-box silhouette, the sloping roofline does give it a coupe-like aura. The Virtus will come in two trims – the Dynamic line and the Performance line, with the latter getting black alloy wheels and mirror caps, along with a black roof. Move to the rear and the Virtus gets a boot lid spoiler, along with a gloss finish on the bumper and chrome strip. The tail lamps of the Virtus bear a resemblance to the Jetta sold globally as well, making the Virtus a very appealing sedan. You can have the Virtus in a choice of six colours – cherry red, candy white, carbon steel, curcuma yellow, reflex silver and rising blue metallic.
The interior of the Virtus is identical to the Taigun, featuring bright red accents to brighten up the cabin. The Virtus also gets ambient lighting as well as a 8-inch digital cockpit. You also get a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mated to an 8-speaker sound system. The front leather seats of the Virtus are ventilated and the Virtus also gets a cooled glovebox, in addition to a sunroof. Volkswagen has also packed the Virtus with a host of safety equipment – with over 40 active and passive safety features combined, including 6 airbags.
The Virtus will be powered by an identical engine-gearbox combo as its SUV sibling, the Taigun. There are two petrol engines on offer – a 1-litre TSI engine and a 1.5-litre TSI, mated either to a six-speed manual or an automatic (the 1.5 gets a DSG). The 1-litre TSI produces 113bhp of power and 178Nm of torque. Enthusiasts will definitely want to take a look at the 1.5 TSI that produces 148bhp and 250Nm of torque. The 1.5 also gets cylinder-deactivation to aid fuel economy.
Prices for the Virtus have not been revealed yet but pre-bookings for the sedan begin today. Going by the pricing of its cousin, the Skoda Slavia, it is likely that the Volkswagen Virtus will be priced between Rs 10.5 to 17 lakh.