Volkswagen unveils India-bound Virtus sedan

Volkswagen has officially unveiled the India-bound Virtus sedan. It’s the German automaker’s new budget sedan for various South American markets and will replace the current Polo-based sedan in various developing markets that the automaker has a presence in.

The design of the Virtus is instantly noticeable as it has the face of the latest generation Polo where the signature elements include the single slat chrome grille, rectangular LED headlamps and thick bumpers LED DRLs. At first glance, you can see the Polo in silhouette all the way to the C-pillar. However, since the South American markets don’t have a sub-4 rule, the Virtus has a clearly defined boot, sharp shoulder line and the same tail lamps seen in sedans like the Passat and Arteon. 

The cabin is quite similar to the one found in the new Polo. You get all the same elements like the steering and instrument cluster. Even the design of the upholstery and plastics are the same but here everything has been trimmed out in grey as compared to the Polo’s black. In the top spec model that was shown at the unveiling, you even get the digital instrument cluster that was shown in the new generation Polo. To separate the Virtus from its predecessors, Volkswagen has made it as long as the current generation Jetta in terms of wheelbase, overall length and even the boot space.  

 It is underpinned by the MQB A0 platform (the same one that the Polo uses) and for now the only engine on offer is a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol producing 128bhp/200Nm. This is expected to be joined by the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.4-litre petrol units.

While it is not official (as yet), we are almost certain that this is the next generation Vento and will be called so when the car is launched here after the debut of the next-gen Polo. Here, in addition to the existing range of petrol, we will also get it with the India specific 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel motor.