After launching the Taigun mid-sized SUV, Volkswagen is now planning to launch the Virtus mid-sized sedan in the country. The new Volkswagen Virtus sedan will be the fourth product under the VW Group’s India Plan 2.0. Skoda has launched the Kushaq mid-sized SUV and is gearing up for the launch of the Slavia mid-sized sedan.
The VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the Slavia sedan are based on the heavily localised MQB AO IN platform. In fact, the India-spec Volkswagen Virtus will also be based on the same platform. It will come as a replacement for the ageing Vento sedan. The new Virtus sedan will rival the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.
It is expected that the Volkswagen Virtus will make its public debut before the end of this financial year, while launch is expected in May 2022. It is likely to measure similar to the global-spec Virtus, which is 4,482mm long, 1,751mm wide and 1,472mm tall. It is 92mm longer, 52mm wider and 5mm taller than the Vento. The sedan rides on 2,651mm wheelbase, which is again 98mm longer than the Vento’s 2,553mm.
Not just platform, the Volkswagen Virtus is likely to share the interior components with the Taigun mid-sized SUV. It comes with features like an electric sunroof, a large touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, a digital instrument console, automatic AC, LED projector headlamps, LED tail-lights and others. The sedan will offer multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill-launch assist and other safety features.
It will be offered with two petrol engines – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged & a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged. The 3-cylinder unit churns out a maximum power output of 108bhp and a peak torque of 175Nm. This engine will be offered with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox.
The 1.5-litre TSI unit is the same engine that powers the Taigun, Kushaq and the T-ROC. This engine produces 148bhp of maximum power and 250Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic.
