Of the four original pillars of the MQB-A0-IN platform that Skoda-Volkswagen developed for India, three have already been refreshed this year. It’s now time for the fourth model, the Volkswagen Virtus, to get its much-awaited mid-life facelift. At the moment, Volkswagen has only teased the exterior of the Virtus facelift.
So what does the teaser show? Essentially, the Virtus facelift can be seen with a new front bumper, a redesigned fog lamp housing and a new diamond-mesh pattern for the grille element. It can also be seen with new headlamps with the L-shaped DRLs being carried over. At the back, expect a revised layout for the taillights and the same diamond-mesh pattern on the rear diffuser. In profile, nothing seems to have changed apart from the alloy wheels.
The teaser doesn’t reveal the interior, nor does it say when the Virtus facelift will debut, as that information Volkswagen has held back for a later date. Given how the Slavia, Kushaq, and Taigun got an update, the same could be expected with the Virtus. Unlike the Skodas, there won’t be any rear massaging seats, but expect a new user interface for the touchscreen infotainment system, similar to the new Slavia. It will definitely also get a 360-degree camera that debuted with the Slavia, as well as the new 10.25-inch virtual cluster we have seen in other MQB-A0-IN platform cars in India this year.
Powertrain options won’t really change for the Virtus either, apart from the new 8-speed torque converter automatic making its way to Volkswagen’s only sedan in India. Like its siblings, the new gearbox will be mated to the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, alongside the option of a 6-speed manual. It will also continue with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, but since the Virtus is an enthusiast favourite, a manual option with this engine would be ideal. Volkswagen did offer a 6-speed manual with the bigger engine briefly but the chances of it coming back seem very slim.
Expect the Virtus facelift to debut before the end of this year, with price announcement likely reserved for early next year. The Virtus is currently the best-selling mid-size sedan in the segment, and the update will only help boost sales. Once launched, the Virtus will continue to rival the Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and Honda City.
