We’ve waited for this for a terribly very long time, haven’t we? With the eventuality of the Volkswagen Polo and Vento being discontinued being closer than ever, there’s ride to be a hole within the hatchback and sedan apartment. The VW duo has been guilty for getting proper customers to Volkswagen dealerships, no matter the gazillion points confronted by the price: from a thin portfolio of vehicles, the dearth of fresh versions making it to the nation, to the reduction of the line as much as a petroleum-completely one within the wake of Dieselgate.
Nonetheless, with the arrival of the VW Virtus, the responsibility is now transferred to the unique sedan and the Taigun crossover SUV. And we’re rather confident that with a as much as the moment automobile sat on a unique modular platform, Volkswagen will be ready to present its customers a extra rounded kit than ever earlier than. Let’s secure a closer stumble on and acknowledge some questions in regards to the all-unique Volkswagen Virtus.
Isn’t it the identical because the Skoda Slavia?
We don’t know the contrivance Volkswagen has tuned the Virtus, and that can completely make certain when we web to force it. From what we’ve considered, there’s a sea of incompatibility within the manner the VW Virtus sits in contrast to the Skoda Slavia. No matter the same platform and the profile, the unique entrance and rear comprise the Virtus visually closer to assorted VWs. The resemblance with the contemporary Jetta is rather evident too.
The entrance is where the Virtus has a extra assertive styling, while the Slavia appears to be like rather laid-assist when put next. The Skoda clearly relies extra on the upper grille while the Volkswagen’s entrance bumper is what grabs consideration doubtlessly the most. The sleeker lights and the smaller grille are a welcome trade from the norm, and the bonnet is also cleaner with out any character traces — one thing the Skoda has.
The tail-lights are the finest trade here, except for the a entire lot of bumper and badge positioning and elegance. On the tip-spec GT model, Volkswagen has given the Virtus a boot lid spoiler, which alongside side the a entire lot of blacked-out bits helps the tip-spec 1.5-litre Virtus stand out. The varied GT-speak substances consist of all-sad wheels, red brake calipers, and a sad roof.
Love the Slavia, the VW Virtus is also in determined want of bigger wheels and comparatively low-profile tyres, as successfully as to reducing springs. For a range of, that might perhaps maybe also be taking things a contact too far, especially on a unique automobile, nonetheless the actuality is that every vehicles stumble on contrivance better within the computer-generated pictures where they’re closer to the ground and with out the substantial wheel hole as might perhaps maybe also be considered on the manufacturing-spec automobile.
On the internal, the VW Virtus carries a unique dashboard. The lower half where the AC controls are might perhaps maybe also be shared nonetheless the tip share is vastly assorted from the Slavia. Unlike Skoda’s floating infotainment hide, the one on the Virtus sits flush within the course of the dashboard flanked by color-coded (on the GT) trims high and bottom.
In consequence, the tip of the dashboard is flat. The variations don’t stop here. The guidance wheel is unique, the AC vents are of a clear shape, and there’s a clear color scheme applied here as successfully.
Both carmakers beget performed an even bit to add their very indulge in touches to the auto, and it depends entirely to your want to protect what appears to be like better.
Where’s the book likelihood?
There’s some ambiguity here. Volkswagen’s press release states the following:
‘Powered by the globally acclaimed TSI expertise, the Recent Virtus will be on hand within the 1.5l TSI EVO engine with Racy Cylinder Skills (ACT) and 1.0l TSI engine each geared up with slothful Originate/Quit and can very successfully be mated to a 6-flee book, 6-flee automatic torque converter or 7-flee DSG transmission likelihood.’
The web position, on the other hand, doesn’t list the 6-flee book as an likelihood for the Efficiency Line automobile. This successfully contrivance that unless it’s an error on VW’s half or some web position repairs personnel obtained it spoiled, the completely contrivance that it is possible you’ll expertise the 150hp 1.5-litre engine within the auto is to lift the Slavia. When you happen to endure in suggestions Kia and Hyundai also had a identical strategy whereby the Seltos became once supplied within the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol variant with a book gearbox, nonetheless the Creta, which shared the platform and engines with the Seltos, didn’t beget such an likelihood.
Hat tip to Motoroids for pointing that out!
To recapitulate, the 1.0-litre engine in each the vehicles makes 115hp and 178Nm, and it can maybe also be specced with both a 6-flee book gearbox or a 6-flee torque converter. The 1.5-litre engine makes 150hp, which is the very ideal within the section, and 250Nm, and on the Slavia, it’s on hand with a 6-flee book or a 7-flee dual-grab gearbox.
In my slight time with the Skoda Slavia, I stumbled on out that the 1.0-litre MT to be larger than ample. But extra importantly, it’s also the extra eager of the two, especially for on every day foundation exhaust, because the 1.5-litre is an even bigger and heavier engine — and it appears to be like like that. The auto feels marginally extra agile with the 1.0 engine. The 1.5 picks up flee rather all of a sudden and earlier than you are mindful about it, you’re on the a entire lot of facet of the 100kph brand. The 7-flee DSG makes riding in stay-jog traffic a stride and doesn’t hesitate in shifting.
What in regards to the competition?
I wouldn’t be a great deal surprised if your first response to that is ‘what competition?’ The fact is that, even though the section is less populous than it’s ever been, it does beget some successfully-established products. There’s the Honda Metropolis, which is supplied with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel. The latter is a correct workhorse while the outmoded, while no powerhouse, has made its brand for overall refinement and reliability. The Metropolis might perhaps maybe now not be the enthusiast’s popular nonetheless it has a colossal standing, and the most up-to-date model is extra sizable and joyful than earlier than, making it an simple choice for many.
The Hyundai Verna, on the a entire lot of hand, affords a worthy broader vary of engines and to your entire, it’s a rather decent automobile, too. After which there’s the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, a automobile which isn’t on the list of many unique automobile merchants because it lacks the extra or less aspects and vary of engines because the others. As a price proposition, on the other hand, it’s inviting to beat the Ciaz; it’s inexpensive to lift and lag.
Both VW Community vehicles lack a diesel engine and an NCAP safety score. The Honda Metropolis has each, and while the Verna has a diesel (alongside side a naturally aspirated petrol and a turbo petrol), the India-spec mannequin doesn’t beget an NCAP score. The Ciaz lacks a score and a diesel engine, completely relying on a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
The Metropolis is also anticipated to be up to this point with a hybrid mannequin, which is willing to comprise it worthy extra appealing — nonetheless expensive, too. The varied facet where VW and Skoda proceed is their sales and repair reach; one thing Maruti, Hyundai, and even Honda are beyond comparison at inform.
Is it definitely price the wait?
That entirely is dependent upon what you’re shopping for. When you happen to’re after an on every day foundation automobile that can provide a bit everything: luxury, apartment, and successfully-balanced breeze and going by, the Volkswagen Virtus might perhaps maybe also be a proper choice. I’m banking heavily on the conclusion that the corporate obtained’t designate it or tune it too in a different way from the Slavia. Since the Virtus is anticipated to be launched within the 2d quarter of the calendar year 2022, that affords you ample time to listen to extra in regards to the Slavia from owners and journalists.
When you happen to’re after a extra driver-focussed sedan, then, the manner things seem, you would need to stumble on at the outmoded-automobile market. There are a form of excellent alternate choices on hand for the identical money as a detrimental Slavia: from the likes of the outdated-generation Octavia to the F30 BMW 3 Series. Asserting and working these will be extra expensive nonetheless secure into consideration that as far as riding fun is anxious, nothing unique and stock (at that designate) comes conclude.
With the arrival of the Skoda Slavia and the Volkswagen Virtus, the sedan section is going to gaze some extra takers, despite the truth that these don’t shake up the adjoining compact/sub-compact SUV section. And if you happen to too realize that sedan are inherently extra fun than crossovers, you’d be happy to know that bookings for the Volkswagen Virtus are now initiate.
Photos by Aniruddh Kaushal
