Volkswagen Virtus

Rear view (Brazil)

The Virtus was introduced in Brazil on 16 November 2017 as a sedan counterpart to the Polo, and slots between the smaller Voyage and the larger Jetta in VW Brazil sedan line-up. It uses the same front fascia as the Polo, including the modifications that were made to the Polo for the South American market such as redesigned bumper. It also features a longer wheelbase which stood at 2,651 mm (104.4 in), 103 mm (4.1 in) longer than the Polo. The trunk has a capacity of 521 litre, an increase of 200 litre from the Polo.[1][2]

In Brazil, all Virtus versions are sold as flex-fuel vehicles (petrol and ethanol). The base 1.6-litre MSI four-cylinder engine generates 130 PS (128 hp; 96 kW) with petrol and 118 PS (116 hp; 87 kW) with ethanol. The rest of the options are all equipped with the TSI engines, with 1.0-litre (116 PS (114 hp; 85 kW) gasoline, 128 PS (126 hp; 94 kW) ethanol), and 1.4-litre (150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) with both fuels), the latter only available for the GTS version.

The vehicle was released in Argentina in February 2018 with a sole 1.6-litre MSI engine with 6-speed automatic transmission.[3]

In Mexico, the Virtus was launched in August 2019, equipped with a 1.6-litre MSI four-cylinder with 110 PS (108 hp; 81 kW).[4] During its initial release, the model was placed between the India-made Vento and the Jetta.

The Virtus was introduced in India on 8 March 2022 as a replacement to the Vento and the sister model of the Škoda Slavia.[5] It was launched with the facelifted appearance, with the front headlight taken from the Taigo and a revised dashboard design. As with the Taigun, Škoda Kushaq and Škoda Slavia, it uses the MQB A0 IN platform, and will be exported to 25 countries.[6]

Available models are the Dynamic Line with the locally produced three-cylinder 1.0 TSI engine producing 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) and Performance Line equipped with the four-cylinder 1.5-liter TSI engine featuring cylinder deactivation tech with 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp).[7]

The Virtus GT is the range-topping model which features cosmetic upgrades such as dual tone roof, red accents, red brake calipers and aluminum pedals similar to GTI models. Equipment list included ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, an eight-inch digital instrument cluster, sunroof, and ambient lighting. It will go on sale in May 2022.[8]

The made-in-Brazil Volkswagen Virtus was sold in Latin America with a standard safety specification of four airbags including two frontal airbags and two seat-mounted side combination torso-head airbags, i-Size approved ISOFIX anchorages, three-point seatbelts in all seats, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners. Electronic Stability Control and post-collision braking had production volume high enough for it not to lose its Latin NCAP star rating.

The Virtus was tested by the New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and The Caribbean (Latin NCAP) in 2017 and achieved five stars for both adult and child protection, performing well across all areas of assessment including the ESC test and side, front and pole impacts (the last two were carried over from the Polo based on technical evidence supplied by Volkswagen). The Virtus also received an award from Latin NCAP Advanced for its pedestrian protection.[16]

2018 Volkswagen Virtus + 4 Airbags, made in Brazil

Latin NCAP scores
Adult occupant stars
Frontal offset impact	15.68 max. 16.00
Side Impact	15.88 max. 16.00
Seatbelt reminders	1.00 max 2.00
Side HPD - Pole test	Pass
ESC - GTR8 sin-dwell test	Pass
Child occupant stars
Q1.5 dynamics	12.00 max. 12.00
Q3 dynamics	10.00 max. 12.00
CRS installation check	12.00 max. 12.00
Vehicle-based assessment	9.00 max. 13.00
Latin NCAP Advanced
Award 2018 - Pedestrian Protection (UN 127)[17]

In 2020, Latin NCAP introduced a geometric evaluation for head protection airbags for rear occupants;[18] it is expected that the updated Virtus for Latin America, made in India, will be equipped with curtain airbags instead of the older seat-mounted combination torso-head airbags. It is also expected to be equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking.

The Volkswagen Virtus will be sold in India with a standard safety specification of two frontal airbags, i-Size approved ISOFIX anchorages, Electronic Stability Control, three-point seatbelts for all seats, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, and post-collision braking. Higher trim levels will additionally be equipped with side torso airbags and head-protecting curtains, and a tyre pressure monitor.

The Virtus has not been independently crash-tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP).