Unveiled earlier in the month, the Volkswagen Virtus is set to be the brand's most accessible sedan in India. The car will replace the outgoing Vento, but is much bigger in proportions, as well as feature rich. Based on VW's MQB A0 IN platform, this is Volkswagen's second product under the India 2.0 project, following the Volkswagen Taigun compact SUV. Just over 3 weeks after its global debut, Volkswagen has announced that it has commenced the production of the Virtus in its Chakan Plant in Pune. [1]

Figure 1. The Volkswagen Commences Production of Virtus Compact Sedan Ahead of Launch

Figure 1 shows the Volkswagen Virtus features a horizontally themed dash design, while different from the flashier look in the Slavia. This theme carries through with the sharp-edged instrument binnacle housing the 7-inch digital instrumentation, the flat dash fascia housing the 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay, the simple angular air vents and the horizontal motifs along the passenger sides of the dash. There is the new Volkswagen steering wheel while the lower half now features the familiar capacitive touch climate controls. The GT versions add the red highlighting with darker cabin materials and upholstery with contrasting stitching. [4]

Features:

• Online and offline pre-launch bookings are already underway.
• To be available in Dynamic and Performance (GT) line trims.
• Features include up to six airbags, ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment.
• Powered by 1-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. [2]

Volkswagen Virtus: launch details and rivals

Volkswagen started accepting bookings for the Virtus on March 8, with its launch slated for sometime in May 2022. Once launched, it will compete with its sibling, the Skoda Slavia, as well as other midsize sedans like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Ciaz.

Volkswagen Virtus: mechanical highlights

The Virtus is based on the same MQB A0 IN platform as the Skoda Slavia. Like its Skoda sibling, as well as the Taigun, the Virtus will come with two turbo-petrol engine options – the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI unit that makes 115hp and 175Nm and the 1.5-litre, four cylinder TSI unit that develops 150hp and 250Nm.

The new Virtus will be available in two distinct lines – Dynamic, which includes all the 1.0 TSI variants, and Performance, which includes the 1.5 TSI variants.

There will be two gearbox options available on the 1.0 TSI variant – a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The 1.5 TSI will only come with a 7-speed DCT gearbox. [3]

References:

1. https://www.carandbike.com/news/volkswagen-commences-production-of-virtus-compact-sedan-ahead-of-launch-2852392
2. https://www.cardekho.com/india-car-news/volkswagen-commences-production-of-the-virtus-sedan-28838.htm
3. https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/volkswagen-virtus-production-commences-ahead-of-may-launch-424002
4. https://www.overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/2022-volkswagen-virtus-production-begins-in-india-ahead-of-launch/

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Volkswagen Commences Production of Virtus Compact Sedan Ahead of Launch, Anatechmaz, pp. 235