Brazil: Volkswagen Virtus (Vento-replacement) revealed

Volkswagen had released a teaser image of the upcoming Virtus sedan last month. The car has now been unveiled in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Volkswagen Virtus is based on the modular MQB platform and is touted to replace the Vento. That said, the Virtus is longer than the Vento and has longer wheelbase as well. It has a wheelbase of 2,650 mm, which is 98 mm more than the Vento. Boot space has also gone up from 494 litres in the Vento to 521 litres in the Virtus.

In terms of styling, the design of the Virtus has been heavily inspired by the sixth-generation Polo hatchback, especially the front fascia. The front end features new twin-pod headlights and single-slat chrome grille. The bumper has a large intake flanked by a pair of fog lamps. A distinct character line runs along the side of the car starting from the front fender and terminating at the rear. The slim ORVMs come with integrated turn signals. The car rides on dual-tone alloy wheels. Moving to the rear, the Virtus gets a subtle boot spoiler, wraparound tail lights and chrome trim along the rear bumper. 

The interior has been borrowed straight from the Polo. It gets a dual-tone dashboard with a large touchscreen in the centre. Higher variants of the Virtus get a TFT display instead of conventional dials, similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. The new 3-spoke multi-functional steering wheel is the same one found on the new Polo.

Volkswagen hasn’t announced the engines that will be offered on the Virtus. But, it has been reported that it might get a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with 117 BHP / 162 Nm paired with a 5-speed automatic. A 128 BHP / 200 Nm 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox is also likely to be offered.