by The Skoda Auto Volkswagen India group has already launched two made-in-India products under its India 2.0 strategy, i.e. Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. As part of the project, Skoda and Volkswagen are also coming up with their own respective mid-size sedans to take on the likes of the Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. While Skoda has confirmed a launch date (Feb 28) for the Slavia, Volkswagen is also readying its new sedan for a global unveil next month.
Volkswagen is all set to showcase the new sedan on March 8, followed by a launch in the third week of May. Likely to be called ‘Virtus’, the car will serve as a replacement for the aging Vento in Volkswagen’s Indian lineup. The Virtus will be based on the same heavily localised MQB A0 IN platform as the Skoda Slavia. The upcoming Volkswagen Virtus will also be larger in size as compared to Vento. The new sedan is expected to have the same 2651mm wheelbase as the Slavia.
That said, the Volkswagen sedan will also likely make use of the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (TSI) engines that perform duties on its Skoda cousin. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard across both versions. The smaller engine will be available with an optional 6-speed torque converter auto, while the 1.5-litre TSI engine will be offered with a 7-speed DSG.
In all likelihood, the powertrains will be offered in the same states of tune as seen on the Slavia. The 1.0-litre TSI engine on the Slavia makes 115PS of power and 175Nm of torque, whereas the 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor produces 150PS and 250Nm. Volkswagen will also offer a GT variant on the Virtus from day one, just like the Taigun. However, it is yet to be seen if the GT trim will be equipped with some additional features or distinctive visual enhancements.
Volkswagen is all set to showcase the new sedan on March 8, followed by a launch in the third week of May. Likely to be called ‘Virtus’, the car will serve as a replacement for the aging Vento in Volkswagen’s Indian lineup. The Virtus will be based on the same heavily localised MQB A0 IN platform as the Skoda Slavia. The upcoming Volkswagen Virtus will also be larger in size as compared to Vento. The new sedan is expected to have the same 2651mm wheelbase as the Slavia.
That said, the Volkswagen sedan will also likely make use of the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (TSI) engines that perform duties on its Skoda cousin. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard across both versions. The smaller engine will be available with an optional 6-speed torque converter auto, while the 1.5-litre TSI engine will be offered with a 7-speed DSG.
In all likelihood, the powertrains will be offered in the same states of tune as seen on the Slavia. The 1.0-litre TSI engine on the Slavia makes 115PS of power and 175Nm of torque, whereas the 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor produces 150PS and 250Nm. Volkswagen will also offer a GT variant on the Virtus from day one, just like the Taigun. However, it is yet to be seen if the GT trim will be equipped with some additional features or distinctive visual enhancements.
