Highway Chronicles of Volkswagen Virtus GT: Cars, Routes, & Pit Stops

It was also the perfect opportunity to take our Virtus GT MT on an extended highway drive to see how the car performs in its element.

BHPian SathyaV recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello TBHP fam! Sharing the details of my recent road trip from Chennai to Swamimalai and back.

Trip Overview:

Car: Virtus GT MT (MY 2024)
Number of Persons: 2
Approximate Budget: ₹22,000
Budget Breakdown:

With the long weekend falling on October 11th to 13th, my wife and I decided to make the most of it with a short getaway. It was also the perfect opportunity to take our Virtus GT MT on an extended highway drive to see how the car performs in its element.
In this post, I’ll cover the journey in detail, including the routes we took, pit stops we made, and, of course, the driving experience with the Virtus.

Day 1- Chennai to Swamimalai:-

Route Overview:

There are three routes to reach Swamimalai from Sholinganallur, and we opted for the one via GST. The primary reason was the long stretch along GST (NH 45), which we've driven before and found reliable for a comfortable cruise. While it’s not perfect, it offers a familiar four-lane road where we could relax and enjoy the drive.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CTg2w7AwMw2NMozy5

Start of the Journey (Sholinganallur to Thiruporur):

The morning drive from Shollinganalur to Thiruporur was smooth and uneventful. Typical early morning OMR traffic, but with good roads and relatively light congestion, it made for a comfortable start to the trip.
The stretch from Thiruporur to Chengalpattu along the Chengalpattu-Thiruporur road was particularly scenic. Lush greenery lined both sides, creating a peaceful and serene drive. Despite being a single carriageway, the low traffic and well-maintained roads made this leg of the journey quite enjoyable.
However, we did notice the absence of street lights, which could be a concern for night driving, especially with family. Having driven this route in the dark before, I’ve always felt an urge to cross it quickly rather than enjoying the drive, maybe just a personal quirk!

Pit Stop: Manoj Bhavan

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SVFysJ1pJ9R9grh87

We took a quick stop at Manoj Bhavan for breakfast and a washroom break. The food was good, and the washrooms were clean enough for a comfortable refresh. It’s a good pitstop option for families.

Manoj Bhavan to Ulundurpet (NH 45/GST):

The drive from Manoj Bhavan to Ulundurpet on GST was fairly smooth. There was a noticeable holiday crowd, but the roads were in good condition, allowing us to comfortably cruise between 90-110 km/h. The traffic kept us mindful of our speeds, and some stretches weren’t ideal for driving at triple digits. Overall, it was a decent road for a relaxed drive.

On the Way to Virudhachalam (SH 69):

After Ulundurpet, we turned onto SH 69, heading towards Virudhachalam. This stretch featured a mix of single-carriageway roads with good paving. The route was quite scenic, especially after a recent light rain, which transformed the surroundings into a picturesque paradise.

Virudhachalam to Swamimalai (SH 141/SH 140):

From Virudhachalam, we took the SH 141/SH 140, which is a blend of about 60% single carriageway and 40% dual carriageway. The newly laid dual carriageways were in very good condition, allowing us to have a comfortable drive.
However, we had to stay alert for the farm animals along the route. They seemed to notice us and would play a game of hide and seek, pretending to step out into the road just as we approached. This playful maneuvering made for a fun challenge, keeping us engaged with our accelerator and brake pedals—definitely a good workout!

Finally we reached Indeco - Swamimalai by around 13:00 and I achieved an impressive average of 16.4 kmpl!

Day 1 Stay : Embracing Tradition: A Retreat at Indeco Swamimalai:-

Indeco Swamimalai offers a true retreat, immersing guests in the rich Tamil culture. Nestled amidst lush green farmlands, the resort boasts a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts that provide a glimpse into the region’s history.
Our experience was enhanced by the excellent service and spacious accommodations, ensuring a comfortable stay. One of the highlights was a guided tour of the museum,, led by the owner, Steve, who shared fascinating insights about key artifacts, including:

• Chola period weaponry and weapons
• A secret tunnel from the Chola period
• The first gramophone
• Ingenious fans and refrigerators designed to function without electricity, operating instead on kerosene

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Since we opted for a day of relaxation without any specific plans to explore nearby attractions, one night was sufficient for us. However, if you're considering a visit with young children or planning to explore the nearby temples and sights, I highly recommend extending your stay to two days. There are plenty of activities and experiences to keep you engaged and entertained!

The Iconic carving

The Mint Palace

This was initially in Mint Street Chennai and it was bought and reconstructed by Steve at Swamimalai. Now this majestic building serves as the museum and the main reception of the retreat.

Tyres before rubber!!

This English cycle had metal tyres which were used in places where rubber was in short supply.

Original 1837 Madras Central prison gates

Day 2- Swamimalai to Auroville:-

Route Overview:

The following day, we set off on our drive to Auroville (or nearby Auroville). There are three route options, but we chose the NH 36/NH 81/NH 32 route after reading news about the freshly laid surfaces of both NH 36 and NH 81, which promised a smooth journey.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6zFSs4SrQ5bhAnXT7

Swamimalai to Gangaikonda Cholapuram via NH 36: Effortless Cruising

NH 36, a proper 4/6 lane dual carriageway, allowed for triple-digit speeds with ease and safety.

Architectural Stop: Gangaikonda Cholapuram

A 40 min drive took us to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and we dropped by the great Peruvudiar temple and spent some decent time marveling at the architecture. It was amazing. I would say a must see for anyone who is planning a trip around this region

https://maps.app.goo.gl/32mUbYsq5JZEEjN87

Scenic Crossings: Anaikarai Dam and Kollidam River

Continuing on our journey toward Auroville, we crossed Anaikarai Dam over narrow roads and bridges built across the Kollidam River. It felt as though we were driving through or over the dam, making for a delightful experience.

NH 81: A Fresh Stretch

We connected to NH 81, the Coimbatore to Chidambaram highway, where we encountered some nicely laid single carriageway. The roads felt new and I think they had the new whitetopping applied over the entire stretch.

We enjoyed a pleasant cruise. However, the whitetopping made the bitumen roads feel more like concrete, amplifying any undulations and resulting in a less planted ride than I would have preferred. Still, the car provided ample confidence to cruise at a respectable speed.

The entire stretch was lined with beautiful paddy fields and farmland, making the drive quite enjoyable. However, since this part of NH 81 is newly constructed, there were hardly any restaurants or fuel stations along the way, so it's essential to plan accordingly. Ensure both the car and its occupants are adequately fueled for the journey!

An interesting note:Automated Toll Gates:-

The toll gate we passed through was fully automated, with only one operator at the leftmost lane for cash payments. All other lanes were Fastag-enabled and operated seamlessly!

We wanted to stop by Goru Gardenfor Lunch but the restaurant was packed and we saw some 3 travel or tourist buses parked. So we simply skipped lunch and continued our drive as we weren’t that hungry.

NH 32: The East Coast Road

From Chidambaram, we joined the famous NH 32, aka the East Coast Road. Along the way to Chennai, we observed ongoing road widening and four-laning work. Although the majority of the roads remained single carriageway, the surface was well-maintained.

Pitstop:- Pondy

As we passed through Pondicherry, we decided to refuel since petrol prices are slightly cheaper there compared to Chennai. I already filled up before starting my journey, so I only needed about 28 liters at the IndianOil station. Filled at IndianOil, the Petrol station has decent drive through and the staff were courteous. The XP 95 was ₹6 cheaper than in Chennai, saving me around ₹180!

The Last Mile of the Day:- Auroville

We arrived in Auroville around 4:30 PM at our Airbnb- The Blissful stay, a brand-new service apartment. Each room was carefully themed, with great attention to detail in the décor.

One very important thing to note is. The Blissful stay is accessible only via very narrow roads, where only one car can pass at a time. Our car literally had to scrape the bushes on both sides to maneuver some turns.

Apologies for not capturing a pic of the fuel usage; we managed to achieve around 17 kmplon this stretch.

Important Lesson Learned

A key takeaway from this trip: always ensure the dashcam is securely connected to the power port. In our case, I had plugged it into the rear USB-C port, and while retrieving some items from the back seat, we accidentally knocked out the connector (USB A to USB C). As a result, for the final leg of our journey from Auroville to Chennai, we were left without dashcam support.

Thankfully, nothing went wrong. However, this experience served as a reminder to double-check and triple-check that the dashcam remains properly connected at all times, as it's a crucial tool for documenting any unforeseen incidents on the road.

Day 2 Stay: A Blend of Fantasy and Tech: Staying at the Arabian Nights-Themed Airbnb

We chose the Arabian-themed room, fittingly called Arabian Nights
This brand-new service apartment block was exceptionally well-maintained, with a perfect blend of modern technology and themed decor. The room was packed with IoT devices, all connected via https://www.buildtrack.in/, giving us remote control over almost everything—fans, curtains, lights. Even the switches were smart, with touch-based controls. There was also a massive 4K TV with superb picture quality and most importantly, This place has good parking.

One small drawback was the backlit smart switches, which couldn’t be turned off. So, if you’re sensitive to light when sleeping, the room may not get as dark as you’d like

Some Interesting decor along the stairs

The Arabian themed stay

We spent the evening relaxing before heading out for dinner to Roma Italian Cuisine, but quickly realized that this part of Auroville isn't built to handle big cars or traffic. Most restaurants only offer on-street parking, which makes it tricky to find a safe spot. Having this strong love affair with my cars, I couldn’t fully relax during the meal, constantly worrying about the car outside. One honk in the distance was enough to have me peeking out like a meerkat!
We eventually packed up our remaining food, returned to the Airbnb, and enjoyed the rest of our meal in peace, watching our favorite Grand Tour Q&A videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gZ-...dWVzdGlvbnM%3D.

The next morning, we spent some time lounging around in our Arabian-themed room, casually watching random shows on the fantastic 4K TV. It was a laid-back start to the day, followed by an early lunch at County Club Cafe, a great spot not far from our Airbnb. After a good meal, we began our return drive back home, feeling refreshed and ready for the journey ahead.

Day 3- Auroville to Chennai:-

Route Overview:

For our drive back home, we had a couple of options and we chose the tried and tested ECR route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MphgLcscuMCExdd8A

ECR – The Drive Back Home:

As we made our way along the East Coast Road (ECR), we noticed the ongoing expansion work—progressing steadily in some sections and at a snail's pace in others. However, the road itself was smooth overall, making for an enjoyable drive back home.

Since I was stupid enough to not check the dash cam power cable, and considering this route is frequented by many, I’ll graciously skip posting any pictures of this scenic and amazing route.

On this leg of our journey we got a healthy fuel economy of around 17 kmpl! Which is properly respectable for a 150 PS engine I would say.

The Virtus: A True Driving Delight

Now, let’s delve into the star of our journey—our cherished Virtus. This car is truly a joy to drive. Once we hit the highway, it settles in beautifully, creating a cocoon of comfort for everyone on board.

A Fascinating Duality

Driving the Virtus offers a captivating duality. When cruising in 6th gear at around 1700-2000 rpm, it glides effortlessly. At highway speeds, the suspension is expertly tuned to smooth out most bumps while maintaining exceptional body control and stability. I found the suspension impressively calibrated, Stiff yet supple enough to not make the ride uncomfortable - effectively ironing out imperfections in the road while still providing the necessary stability and control. It masks speed really well, allowing for a serene driving experience.
However, when that inner 16-year-old calls for excitement, the car is ready to respond. Drop a couple of gears, rev it high, and this one-ton marvel lunges forward with an exhilarating burst, serenading you with a delightful engine note. The pull is undeniably addictive, and the steering feedback inspires confidence, allowing you to unleash the full potential of this engine and chassis combination.

Steering Calibration - Perfect Balance of Comfort and Feedback

Having Swift as my other car and having owned Polo,Gen 1 Figo, I can confidently say that the EPS in the Virtus strikes the perfect balance between comfort and feedback. You won’t feel fatigued after long drives, yet it provides the assurance needed to tackle corners effortlessly. Although at times you do miss the raw and direct feel of Figo’s HPS, I think this strikes the right balance between feedback and comfort.

The Braking - Adapting to the Experience

One notable aspect of the braking system is its non-linear response, which can take some getting used to. While the brakes are strong and offer excellent stopping power, the initial pedal travel can feel mild, making it seem like there's little braking force applied. However, as you press further, the bite becomes much stronger and more aggressive. During that initial travel, you might find yourself slowing down gradually, but once you push past it, the braking response sharpens considerably.

Celebrating the Joy of Driving

When you find that perfect set of twists and bends, pushing the engine just enough lets it sing in all its glory. It's genuinely fun within legal limits—that’s the beauty of having a manual transmission! Holding onto a gear and feeling that control in your hands as you navigate the curves is pure driving joy.
To be honest, the car felt surprisingly agile for its size. With excellent visibility all around and a relatively heavy clutch with long travel, the tuning was spot on. We could modulate the clutch with precision, giving us absolute control over how quickly the car crept—very handy for navigating tight turns or tackling steep inclines.

Climate Control Observations

On the final leg of our journey - Auroville to Chennai, we noted that the AC isn't a chiller; it adequately cools the cabin for comfort but doesn't deliver intense cooling. Though, the AC tuning is stock, and I haven't adjusted the characteristic curve or any adaptations; perhaps I should consider that in the future.

Virtus: Enjoyment Without Breaking the Bank

I came across reviews of the VW Jetta in the US market, where the standard trims feature a 1.5 TSI engine (EVO 2), while the sport trim or GLI has a 2.0-liter TSI motor. Most reviews emphasize the 1.5 TSI's frugality, which led me to ponder the differences in driving experiences and expectations between first-world and third-world contexts. However, I soon realized I had been mistaken. When driven thoughtfully with moderate throttle inputs, this engine can be quite economical.

We also discovered how sensitive TSI engines are to throttle inputs. Being a stratified injection setup, the ECU is programmed to enrich the mixture when necessary to prevent knocking. This sensitivity translates to the car's performance being affected by driving patterns and fuel quality.

Overall, I am quite impressed and happy with the way the car performed the whole way. Cannot wait to take it for another drive. Until the next ride

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