Overview
On June 9, 2022, Volkswagen unveiled the brand-new Virtus in India. This sedan was created by the German automaker using the same MQB A0 IN platform as the Skoda Slavia, Skoda Taigun, and Skoda Kushaq. Volkswagen nevertheless provides the Virtus in six different color finishes. The 2022 Volkswagen Virtus is the second product from VW’s India 2.0 onslaught and it’s available in two engines with three transmission options.
2022 Volkswagen Virtus Design
Exterior
The German sedan actually looks like a mini Volkswagen Jetta. Volkswagen has done a fantastic job in terms of the design of this car. The lights look absolutely beautiful. It has a complete LED setup. The LED DRLs, Projector headlamps, and turn indicators. The fog lights are not LED. These are halogens. It has a piano black finish on the front. The GT Plus variant gets dual tone including black colored outside rearview mirrors and black colored roof as well.
From the side, it looks slightly longer than the Slavia. In fact, it is 20 mm longer than Skoda Slavia. The GT Plus variant has GT badging on the side and the rear. GT Plus has black-colored wheels which the non-GT variant does not get.
It’s certainly grown a size compared to the Vento and unsurprisingly there is a hint of the bigger Jetta in here. In fact, in almost every dimension, this is the largest car in the class. It’s too easy to draw parallels to the Slavia but much like with the Taigun, Volkswagen has gone for a bolder more chrome-heavy look. The huge air dam in the front bumper is lined with shiny stuff and makes a big impression. But the downside of this is that the small 16-inch wheels look even smaller.
The big gaps in the wheel arches only emphasize this. But it does give the Virtus an SUV look. There’s more chrome in the rear bumper and this along with the large blacked-out tail lamps do a good job of distracting you from what is quite a bulky rear end. The GT trim exclusive to the 1.5 TSI engine gets a few differences too like gloss black alloy wheels, a subtle lip spoiler on the boot, and GT badging.
Interiors
The Virtus’ interiors appear fashionable, just like the outside. The silver and gloss black panel, which complements the sleek dash design, gives it refinement. Compared to the Slavia, fit and quality seem more consistent, but it still falls short of the Honda City, the segment standard. The Virtus uses hard plastics in its dash, unlike the Honda which has soft-touch materials.
Additionally, there are internal differences! In the GT version, you will therefore receive black leather seats, and aluminum pedal inserts, and, if you choose to purchase a red Virtus GT, dash panels will match the color of the car.
Infotainment
The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, automated climate control, cruise control, an electric sunroof, a digital instrument cluster, and leather upholstery are the focal points of the Volkswagen Virtus’ interior.
You also get a digital driver’s display in the top model. You can customize it and get a lot of useful information right in front of you. However, the screen resolution should be better, and it would have been much more helpful if navigation had been provided here.
Comfort and space
The Virtus demonstrates that it can accommodate four people comfortably. The front seats have excellent form and provide a tonne of side support. Additionally, it has front-seat ventilation, which is a nice feature given how hot it is right now. The Virtus has a wonderful, spacious atmosphere throughout, and the back seat is also strongly curved, providing you with excellent support. With enough knee and nearly adequate headroom, even four six-footers will be at ease. The compact inside does not provide the sensation of room you would expect from a large sedan, which is a drawback. The Virtus is a four-seater only due to its narrow design. The strongly curved seats, constrained headroom, and confined foot space will make the center rear passenger unpleasant in addition to the shoulder space limitations.
Cargo space
With a capacity of 521litres, the boot can accommodate four people’s weekend bags. The rear seats of the Virtus have 60:40 split-folding backs, just like the Slavia. Therefore, unlike most other cars, this one’s trunk can accommodate longer things.
2022 Volkswagen Virtus Specifications
Engine, transmission, and performance
VW is offering its all-new sedan with options of two engines and three gearboxes. The less powerful and smaller in size is the 1.0L TSI petrol engine which delivers a max power of 115hp (85kW) @ 5000-5500rpm and a peak torque of 178Nm with rpm ranging from 1750 to 4500. The 1.0L or 998cc TSI petrol engine comes mated to both 6-speed manual transmission as well a 6-speed automatic transmission. This less powerful engine also gives a higher mileage of 19.40kmpl with MT and 18.12kmpl with AT.
The other engine on offer is the more potent 1.5L TSI EVO petrol engine with active cylinder technology. The 1.5L TSI EVO is offered with a 7-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission. It churns out a maximum power of 150hp (110kW) @ 5000-6000rpm with a peak torque of 250Nm @ 1600-3500rpm. The engine gives a lesser mileage of 18.67kmpl as declared by the manufacturers.
2022 Volkswagen Virtus Safety Features
Virtus is built on VW’s MQB AO IN platform which is a modified version of VW’s original MQB (Modular Querbaukasten or Modular Transversal toolkit) platform. It has been modified according to Indian Standards. Originally introduced in 2014, Volkswagen group is using this platform on Golf, Octavia, A3, and more. Virtus is loaded with a total of 40+ safety features including small, big, and some critical safety features.
One good thing about this new Virtus is that Volkswagen is providing many important safety features as standard. Be it Electronic stability control (ESC), Anti-lock braking system (ABS). Electronic Brake Distribution and the VW’s latest Multi-collision Brake, are all available as standard even on the base variant. Other significant safety features that are also available as standard include;
- Brake Disk wiping
- Brake Assist
- Anti-slip regulation
- Electronic Differential lock system
- Front dual airbags
- Tyre pressure deflation warning
- Engine immobilizer with a floating code system
- ISOFIX child seat anchorage
Other safety features which are available in higher variants only include front side airbags, curtain airbags, Hill-start assist, and front fog lamps with static cornering light. The 1.5L engine variant called GT Plus does not have any extra safety features. It has all the safety features of the Topline variant.
There is no doubt that Virtus has almost every safety feature to improve the safety of drivers and passengers. However. It is missing the AI-assisted driving features which are now becoming crucial for the safety of people both inside and outside the vehicle. We can expect that AI-assisted safety features will be offered in future upgrades.
2022 Volkswagen Virtus variants, colors, and price
Originally, VW Virtus comes in four variants. Comfortline, Highline, and Topline are the variants of the Dynamic line which means they come with a 1.0L TSI engine. On the other hand, GT Plus is the variant of the Performance line which is equipped with a more potent 1.5L TSI EVO engine and comes mated to only a 7-speed DSG transmission. The Comfortline variant can only be purchased with manual transmission whereas Highline and Topline have a choice of both manual and automatic transmission.
Colors
Six colors are available for the Volkswagen Virtus, including Candy White, Reflex Silver, Carbon Steel Grey, Curcuma Yellow, Wild Cherry Red, and Rising Blue.
VW Virtus price
The ex-showroom price for the 2022 VW Virtus starts at Rs. 11.21 lakh for the Comfortline. The Virtus Highline variant is priced at Rs. 12.97lakh with MT. You have to pay Rs. 1.3lakh more for the AT. The Topline has an ex-showroom price tag of Rs. 14.41 lakh for MT and Rs. 15.71 lakh for the automatic transmission. The GT Plus variant comes with DSG transmission only and it is priced at Rs. 17.91lakh.
2022 Volkswagen Virtus – Verdict
The Volkswagen Virtus is a versatile sedan. Yes, there are a few places where the quality, fit, and finish might be improved. On the other hand, there isn’t much to be unhappy about. It is well-equipped and gives a nice driving experience. The Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, and Skoda Slavia are some of the rivals of the Volkswagen Virtus.
