- by Sohan Ingole
Introduction –
Replacing Rapid, Skoda launched its Slavia in India after the success of Kushaq in the market, like that its associate company Volkswagen also launched the Virtus recently. This Virtus replaces the Vento and shows some footprints of Jetta, the VW Jetta is the D-segment sedan which were sold earlier by Volkswagen in India. Like we already seen Skoda’s Kushaq and VW’s Taigun in the market, this is also the similar one’s.
We have Skoda’s Slavia and now VW’s Virtus, both of the car shares the platform, powertrain options, gearbox and lot more. The Virtus is built on the same MQBAO-IN platform which is now widely used platform by SKODA-VW now in India. Kushaq, Taigun, Slavia and now Virtus, they all shares the platform and powertrain options also. Well sometimes this Virtus may look like small Jetta and VW also give us some special tweaks to get that Jetta feel.
Engine and Performance-
Like the Slavia we got two engine options in this Virtus – 1.0 litre three-cylinder TSI engine generates 114bhp and 175Nm of torque. This engine unit is available in six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic transmission options. 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI engine from the EVO generation with active cylinder technology. This engine produces 148bhp and 250Nm of peak torque. This engine is available in both the six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG options.
We already seen theses two powertrain options in the Slavia, we are reviewing the top end GT trim with the 1.5 litre TSI engine. The 1.5 litre engine is only available in GT trim, in this GT trim we got some sporty elements only. The difference between 1.0 litre and 1.5 litre engines is only in the number of exhaust tips, in 1.5 litre engine we got 2 exhaust tips and in 1.0 litre engine we have only 1 exhaust tip. One more difference is in the cylinders, this 1.5litre gets 4 cylinders with cylinder deactivation technology and 1.0 unit gets 3 cylinder. Cylinder Deactivation Technology (CDT) is basically a system which cuts a cylinder when it doesn’t need it and uses when it needs. This system improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and works brilliantly well, cause this 1.5 litre is a petrol unit and in arial time it will write the fuel efficiency in between 8 to 15 kmpl.
On highway runs it will stretch up to 15KMPL but in city drives it will give us 10 to 11KMPL. That’s the because of amount of torque and power it produces, well the performance from this 1.5Litre engine is absolutely bonkers in amount. It goes 0 to 100 in just 8.8 seconds, the low end punch is missing here but the midrange is juicy punchy. The 148bhp of power comes from a redlines at 5500RPM and 250NM of torque comes from a redlines at 2000RPM. As we reaches the 3000 to 3500RPM it absolutely lunges and disappear in no time, thanks to the juicy punchy fresh mid punch which loves to lunges ahead. To make any quick overtake, just flex your right foot for the moment and you will reach 100+ in no time, that’s the level of torque rush it produces. This TSI unit mated to a 7 speed DSG gearbox which were only available in 1.5 litre unit, this gearbox is quite fast in terms of shift and it has to be cause it gets two clutch which increases the speed of shifts and the performance also.
The ride quality is more or less the same compared to Slavia cause it shares suspension and built on same chassis, the suspension is soft but still it’s very impressive and best in its class, suspension is very soft that inspite of having smaller wheels it absorbs all bad patches and potholes into it. Well this 1.5 litre unit is crazy in terms of performance and grunt it offers, still it misses diesel engines but this 1.5 litre petrol unit make the job done. Most of the people are going to buy the 1.0 litre TSI unit which is cheaper and fuel efficient too, talking about the 1.0 litre TSI unit it decently quick and will reach 0 to 100 in 11.5 seconds. This engine is also available with 6 speed torque converter gearbox, this unit is not fast as much than DSG but still it takes its own time to make shifts and make the job done in city driving.
Here we got also manual controls in the all automatic variants, where we can shift gears manually by triptronic function or using the paddle shifters. Well as I see it the 1.5 litre engine is absolutely crazy and enthusiastic compared to the 1.0 litre but it’s not a efficient too. The 1.0 litre unit is smooth, refined and fuel efficient with ample amount of power, this unit is good for metro drives.
Exterior –
Well both the cars are same in the dimensions but still Virtus is 20mm longer in length than Slavia, it’s length is 4561mm, width is 1752mm and height is 1507mm. The wheelbase is remain unchanged, we got 2651mm of wheelbase and ground clearance is also 180mm which is decent for a sedan.
Starting from the front we get chrome on grill with VW logo which is also finished in chrome, that chrome linings join the both headlights with GT badging on grill. The headlight unit is all led unit where in Slavia we got part led unit, we got L shape led drl with a fog lamp lowered half on the bumper. We got glossy black finishing on the front bumper which gives aggressive looks to the vehicle and improves the visual appeal of Virtus. That chrome line continues there too around the fog lamps and runs through the bumper which attracts our eye sight.
The Virtus is standing on 16 inch black coloured alloys which were only available in GT trim, the wheel design is quite enthusiastic and looks brilliant thanks to the red coloured brake callipers. The roof is also finished in glossy black to get sporty appeal and done a fantastic dual tone paint job. The door handles are finished in chrome with chrome around the windows also. That additional chrome platting looks attractive on dark colours and gives a sporty look.
The rear side is quite similar to Jetta, we got black coloured leaf spoiler on tailgate with smoked led taillights which gives more sporty look to Virtus. We have VIRTUS written in chrome on the middle of tailgate and chrome line on bumper also. The boot space in the Virtus is 521 litres which is massive and biggest in the segment.
Overall the exterior is absolutely rad with lots of sportier elements like black coloured alloys, red brake callipers, sharp shoulder lines, black coloured roof and bumper. Comparing to the Skoda Slavia, VW nailed the design of the Virtus out of the park with additional chrome plating and sharp lines on the body. It’s design is more appealing than Slavia and gives that proper GT trim vibes. Exterior is very much similar to Jetta and we also get that footprints too.
Interior-
Inside this Virtus we have dual tone interior with some red inserts in GT trim only. The interior is very much similar to the Slavia, the only difference is that red colour inserts on dashboard which is missing in Slavia.
We already seen that red inserts in Taigun, well on dashboard we got dual tone finishing with hard plastic all over. That red inserts are running through the dashboard and feels more sporty as well, in regular trims we have aluminium finish there instead of the red. Infotainment unit don’t change we have the same 10 inch infotainment screen with android auto and apple car play, media, radio, telephone, navigation, vehicle settings, connected car tech and media apps like Gana and like stuff.
It’s a sleek unit where we get a lots of information about the vehicle and slew of other things as well. Below this screen we have typical Skoda VW style touch sensible panel for AC controls. Centre console is loaded with lots of vehicle controls like engine start stop button, wireless charging pad, seat ventilation controls, card holders, gear liver, cup holders, usb c type ports, centre armrest and some chubby holes.
The steering wheel is same Taigun unit with mounted controls on it and paddle shifters, that mounted controls operate that 8 inch instrument cluster which is again similar unit from Slavia, in this instrument cluster we got TPMS, speedometer, battery temperature, range to empty and some themes as well. It’s not a full digital, we got a part digital unit but still it makes the job done.
The dashboard design is very attractive and eye catching thanks to the red ambient lighting which is placed on dashboard. The seats and comfort levels are similar to the Slavia with a ample space in front seats. In the second row we have flat floor with three height adjustable headrest and a centre armrest.
Three people can seat in comfortably without any doubt, thanks to the massive width and longest wheelbase in the segment. Legroom, knee room and under thighs support is not an issue here , headroom is bit adequate for tall passengers but still it make the job done. The rear seats are very comfy and doesn’t feel claustrophobic, thanks to the sunroof and dual tone interiors to make the cabin fresh and airy.
Comfort and Convenience-
Well like the Slavia we have lots of new age features in this sedan like a front ventilated seats, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control,
electrically adjustable and retractable orvm, smart keyless entry, steering mounted controls with paddle shifters, cruise control, rear seat AC vents, electronic sunroof and lot more.
Safety and Tech-
Like the features in this Virtus we have safety options as well, like a 6 airbags, ABS and EBD, traction control, hill hold control, three point rear seatbelt, TPMS, over speed warning,
speed sensing auto door lock and more. This 2022 VW Virtus has 6 colour options which are like following .
- Wild Cherry Red
- Curcuma Yellow
- Candy White
- Carbon Steel Grey
- Relex Silver
- Rising Blue Metallic
Conclusion-
The price of the new Volkswagen Virtus starts from 11.21L to 17.91L (Ex-showroom Delhi), in this price segment we get lots of choices like, Skoda Slavia, Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor, Mahindra Thar, Tata Harrier, MG Hector, Kia Seltos. Well comparing Virtus with Slavia, powertrain options, features, dimensions are almost same. Volkswagen launched the Virtus with GT trim which gets more sporty cosmetic elements than regular variants.
Skoda can launch the Monte Carlo edition of Slavia in coming months but now Slavia is only available in regular trims. Still VW done a fantastic job in this Virtus where some bits can make this Virtus better than Slavia like smoky taillights, all led headlamps, all black alloys and more. Thanks to all this extra elements, Virtus costs more than Slavia the difference is approximately 40,000. But this German sedan has that kick which can take this sedan high on sales chart in its rivals.
Rating From Team Ignition To Volkswagen Virtus 2022
Volkswagen Virtus – Baby Volkswagen Jetta With New Age Tech
Team Ignition
All Image Credits – B. U. Bhandari Volkswagen Pune, Wakad
- Edited by Atharva Patil
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