Volkswagen Virtus: The Volkswagen Virtus is a sexy mid-sized sedan that injects much-needed energy into a segment of the market dominated by SUVs for years.
Unveiled as a Vento successor, the Virtus takes forward Volkswagen’s hallmark precision engineering, superior build quality and premium positioning, packaged in a sleeker and contemporary design form.
Priced against same price sedans such as the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Skoda Slavia, the Virtus stands tall boasting of clean styling, strong turbo-petrol engines and typical German driving dynamic.
It is acar for driving enthusiasts and for family-oriented buyers who want a sedan that looks as cool as it feels.
Smooth, Quality Design on the Outside
The VW Virtus flaunts a sharp and sophisticated design formula that marries European refinement with sporty undertones.
It gets a muscular front look with sharp LED headlamps, a wide grille with chrome inserts and a bold-looking bumper, making it look very aggressive on road.
The long bonnet, flat roofline, and sharp shoulder lines form a fastback silhouette, and overall it looks as much of a premium product as it is.
At the back the rear-LED tail lamps with a smoked effect, restrained chrome detailing and the sculpted boot make it appear well balanced and mature.
The slippery shape sits on 16in alloys and the ground clearance is 179 mm, so the Virtus looks well-proportioned and ready for urban and touring duties.
Cabin A Sense of Roominess and Furnished with All Your Needs
Step into the Virtus and you find a cabin that feels premium and thoughtfully designed.
All those numbers and decimal points aren’t even the details; the details include a lack of physical buttons and knobs with a clean, minimalist dashboard that plays home to a 10-inch touch screen housing an infotainment system – that comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – and a full 8-inch digital display instrument cluster and a flat-bottom steering wheel that’s integrated with controls.
The interior gets a black and beige theme (in the Dynamic Line, or a more sporty black and red in the GT Line), soft-touch materials and brushed silverwork and the whole thing exudes a touch of class.
The front seats are highly bolstered and can be ventilated for long-distance comfort. The rear seat has a lot of leg and headroom and a broad bench that is comfortable for three adults.
The 521-litre boot is one of the largest in the segment and extremely convenient for long drives and everyday usage.
Performance and Motors Available
The Virtus is available with the following petrol engines:
1.0L TSI Turbo Petrol (115 PS, 178 Nm) – Can be had with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic.
1.5L TSI EVO Turbo Petrol (150 PS, 250 Nm) – The engine is available with the option of a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
The 1.0L engine is cheerful, refined and adequately powerful for daily use, whereas the 1.5L GT one is meant for those who appreciate spirited driving.
The GT Line also gets Active Cylinder Technology (ACT) which deactivates two cylinders under light load to improve efficiency.
A balanced ride and handling package is provided with the Virtus. It feels tuned on the highway, light-footed in the city and planted in the corners.
The suspension travels over bumps with ease, and the steering gives pretty good feedback to make piloting it more engaging.
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Features and Safety
Trim and Features Volkswagen has loaded the Virtus up well:
Wireless phone charging
Ambient lighting
Auto climate control
Rear AC vents
Cruise control
Rain-sensing wipers
On the safety front, it gets:
Up to 6 airbags
ABS with EBD
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) Optional : getting better and better 58. 59. 60.
Hill hold control
Tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Rear Parking Camera and Sensor
It also has a 5-star Global NCAP rating and 5-star ASEAN NCAP, upgrading SUV’s safety features.
Pros
European good looks and build quality with an edge
Potent turbo-petrol engines with smooth power delivery
Large boot; roomy and comfortable cabin
The most safety and high quality features in the industry
Good to drive (particulary the 1.5L GT)
Cons
No diesel engine option
DSG transmission may be slightly jerky at low speeds
Top trims are a bit pricy
No sunroof, available on competition
AC controls can be distracting to use with touch
Volkswagen Virtus: Verdict
Sedan lovers, feast your eyes on the Volkswagen Virtus! It offers bold styling, strong build quality, and a huge list of options under a roof that is vibrant with features.
It might not be a diesel and it probably doesn’t include a sunroof, but it fills the gap in the most important areas of performance, safety and premium feel.
For those who appreciate the grown-up drive and don’t want to join the SUV masses, the Virtus stands as a polished and thrilling alternative.