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Volkswagen Virtus

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Volkswagen Virtus
2019 Volkswagen Virtus 1.6 MSI (Brazil)
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagen
Also called
Production
  • 2018–present (Brazil)
  • 2022–present (India)
  • 2023–present (China)
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car/Supermini (B)
Body style4-door sedan
Platform
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
7-speed DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,651 mm (104.4 in)
Length4,482–4,561 mm (176.5–179.6 in)
Width1,751 mm (68.9 in)
Height1,461–1,487 mm (57.5–58.5 in)
Chronology
Predecessor

The Volkswagen Virtus is a subcompact sedan (B-segment) manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen since 2018. It is based on the Polo Mk6 with an extended wheelbase and the same Volkswagen Group MQB A0 platform, which it also closely shares with the Taigo/Nivus and T-Cross/Taigun.

It was first introduced in Brazil in November 2017, with sales starting in January 2018.[4] From Brazil, the vehicle has been exported throughout Latin America. In March 2022, the vehicle was introduced in India to replace the Vento and uses the MQB A0 IN platform adapted for India.

The Virtus is also marketed as the Volkswagen Polo Sedan in South Africa since September 2022, and as the Volkswagen Lavida XR in China since June 2023. A redesigned version has been sold as the Škoda Slavia in India, which was introduced in November 2021 and went on sale in February 2022.

Markets

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Brazil

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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.[4][5]

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.

In February 2023, Virtus sold in Brazil received a restyling, which brought updates to the model. The GTS version was discontinued, being replaced by a version called Exclusive which is powered with the 1.4-litre TSI engine (150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) with both fuels). In addition, the basic versions are powered by the 170 TSI 1.0-litre engine (109 PS (108 hp; 80 kW) gasoline, 116 PS (114 hp; 85 kW) ethanol) which replaced the base 1.6-litre MSI four-cylinder engine. The mid-range versions, Comfortline and Highline retains the 200 TSI 1.0 litre engine, with 1.0-litre (116 PS (114 hp; 85 kW) gasoline, 128 PS (126 hp; 94 kW) ethanol).[4][6]

  • Rear view (Brazil, pre-facelift)
    Rear view (Brazil, pre-facelift)

Powertrain

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Petrol engines
Model Displacement Power Torque Transmission
1.0 170 TSI 999 cc I3 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) (with petrol) 165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) (with ethanol)
1.0 200 TSI 999 cc I3 118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp) (with petrol) 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) (with ethanol)
1.4 250 TSI 1,395 cc I4 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) 6-speed automatic
1.6 MSI 1,598 cc I4 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) 155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic

Argentina

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The Virtus was released in Argentina in February 2018 with a sole 1.6-litre MSI engine with 6-speed automatic transmission.[7]

Mexico

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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).[8] During its initial release, the model was imported from Brazil and placed between the Indian-made Vento and the Jetta.

In September 2022, the updated Virtus was released for the 2023 model year. It is imported from India, while the Vento was discontinued. An optional 1.0-litre TSI engine was introduced alongside the older 1.6-litre engine.[9]

India

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The Virtus was introduced in India on 8 March 2022 as a replacement to the Vento and the sister model of the Škoda Slavia.[10] It was launched with the facelifted appearance, differentiated with the Polo and with a revised dashboard design. The Indian version is localized with up to 95% of its parts.[11] As with the Taigun, Škoda Kushaq and Škoda Slavia, it uses the MQB A0 IN platform, and will be exported to 25 countries.[12]

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 technology with 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp).[13]

The Virtus GT is the range-topping model which features cosmetic upgrades as compared to the Dynamic line such as dual-tone roof along with sunroof, 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. Sales started in June 2022.[14]The car became the top selling midsize sedan during the first half of 2024.[15]

  • 2023 Volkswagen Virtus Topline (India)
    2023 Volkswagen Virtus Topline (India)
  • Rear view
    Rear view
  • Interior (GT)

Powertrain

[edit]
Petrol engines
Model Displacement Power Torque Transmission
1.0 TSI 999 cc I3 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) 178 N⋅m (131 lb⋅ft) 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
1.5 TSI 1,498 cc I4 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG

China

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The vehicle was introduced in June 2023 in China as the Lavida XR, sharing the nameplate with the larger and more advanced Lavida sedan while targeting younger customers. It is mostly identical to the Virtus, with few changes such as different grille pattern, chrome on the air intake on the front bumpers, and dark-tinted tail lights. It is powered by a 1.5-litre MPI engine producing 108 PS (79 kW; 107 hp) and 141 N⋅m (104 lb⋅ft) with a 6-speed automatic transmission.[16] It replaced the second-generation Lavida and the Santana.[citation needed]

  • 2023 Lavida XR
    2023 Lavida XR
  • Rear view
    Rear view

Safety

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Latin America

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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 were sold in volumes high enough for Latin NCAP's five 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.[17]

2018 Volkswagen Virtus + 4 airbags, made in Brazil
Latin NCAP scores (2018)
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)[18]

In 2020, Latin NCAP introduced a geometric evaluation for head protection airbags for rear occupants;[19] the updated Virtus for Latin America is equipped with curtain airbags instead of the older seat-mounted combination torso-head airbags, and is fitted with rear-seat belt reminders.[20] Higher trim levels are also sold with Autonomous Emergency Braking, which is part of Latin NCAP's 2020 assessment protocols. Latin NCAP reassessed the facelifted Virtus for Latin America against their new protocols in 2022 (similar to Euro NCAP 2014), and it achieved the maximum five star safety rating.

2022 Volkswagen Virtus + 6 airbags, made in India or Brazil
Latin NCAP scores (2022)[21]
Adult occupant protection Child Occupant Protection Vulnerable Road Users Safety Assist Technologies
Score 92% Score 92% Score 53% Score 85%
Maximum star rating Maximum star rating Maximum star rating Maximum star rating
Overall rating

India

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

In April 2023, the Virtus was awarded five stars for adult and child occupant protection by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP, based on Latin NCAP 2016) under its Safer Cars for India project after testing performed at Škoda's expense.[22] In the frontal offset impact of the Virtus' corporate twin, the Škoda Slavia, against a deformable aluminium honeycomb at 64km/h, dummy readings indicated low or limited risk of serious injury to all critical body regions, the passenger compartment remained stable and Škoda demonstrated that the car's dual retractor-lap pretensioning system would protect the knees of occupants of different sizes or seating positions from impact with hard points in the fascia. However, moderate rearward intrusion of the brake pedal into the footwell resulted in protection of the driver's feet being rated marginal.

In the side mobile barrier impact, performed on a Virtus unit, deceleration of the driver's head indicated there was hard contact with the roof liner, and protection was downrated to adequate despite dummy readings of HIC not indicating a high enough risk of serious injury. Dummy readings of deflection of the driver's ribs and forces in his pubic symphysis indicated a limited risk of serious thoracic and abdominal injury. In the side pole test, dummy readings of rib deflection indicated a moderate risk of serious fracture, but the optional curtain airbags fitted to the test unit worked well to produce head injury readings well within the tolerances allowed.

Using the Britax Dualfix child restraints selected by Volkswagen and installed rearward-facing using i-Size anchorages, both the child dummies achieved maximum points for dynamics, but the Virtus lost points in the vehicle-based portion of the assessment because it does not offer a means to disconnect the front passenger airbag, should the need to install a rearward-facing child restraint on that seat arise. The Virtus met minimum European regulatory requirements for electronic stability control performance and pedestrian protection.

The rating for the Virtus has not yet been extended to Global NCAP's Safer Cars for Africa project. In South Africa, where the Virtus is sold as the Polo Sedan, side thorax or head (curtain) airbags are not available on any variant, so the Polo Sedan will not be eligible for the side pole test required for a rating of four stars or better.[23][24]

2023 Volkswagen Virtus, RHD
Global NCAP scores (2023)
Adult occupant stars
Adult occupant score 29.71/34.00
Child occupant stars
Child occupant score 42.00/49.00

Sales

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Year Brazil Mexico
2018 41,640[25]
2019 46,883[26] 4,898[27]
2020 30,886[28] 6,769[29]
2021 20,571[30] 8,552[31]
2022 5,621[32] 7,255[33]
2023 27,096[34] 18,808[35]

References

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  1. ^ Bubear, Ryan (13 September 2022). "New Volkswagen Polo Sedan (2022) Price Revealed". Cars.co.za. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ^ "大众朗逸XR将于今年上半年推出 采用年轻化设计/来自MQB平台". auto.ifeng.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. ^ "October 2022 - AutoTechInsight". autotechinsight.ihsmarkit.com. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "New Volkswagen Polo-Based Virtus Sedan Officially Revealed". Motor1.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Novo VW Virtus 2018 - Preços, versões e equipamentos". Motor1.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  6. ^ "VW Virtus 2023 estreia novo visual e versão; veja preços e equipamentos". Motor1.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  7. ^ "VW Virtus desembarca na Argentina somente com motor 1.6". Motor1.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Volkswagen Virtus llega a México para colocarse entre Vento y Jetta". 2 August 2019.
  9. ^ García, Gerardo (6 September 2022). "El Volkswagen Virtus 2022 ya tiene precio en México: un gran salto en motor y tecnología". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  10. ^ "2022 VW Virtus Revealed As Affordable Compact Sedan For Emerging Markets". Motor1.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Volkswagen Virtus to be launched in India on 9 June". CarWale. 12 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Volkswagen Virtus sedan revealed; bookings open ahead of May 2022 launch". Autocar India. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  13. ^ Ahluwalia, Prachi (8 March 2022). "Volkswagen Virtus Sedan Launch Date: Volkswagen Virtus sedan unveiled; Price announcement in May". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  14. ^ "2022 Volkswagen Virtus sedan unveiled: Key highlights". Hindustan Times Auto News. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  15. ^ "This German star has beaten Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Skoda Slavia to emerge top-seller in 2024". India Today. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Volkswagen Virtus launched in China as Lavida XR | Team-BHP". Team-BHP.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Five stars for Volkswagen's Virtus while GM's Onix improves to three stars". LATIN NCAP - PARA AUTOS MAS SEGUROS. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  18. ^ "LATIN NCAP". www.latinncap.com.
  19. ^ "LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (Latin NCAP) - ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL – ADULT OCCUPANT PROTECTION 2020 - 2024 - 4.2.1 Side Head Protection Device (HPD)" (PDF).
  20. ^ García, Gerardo (6 September 2022). "El Volkswagen Virtus 2022 ya tiene precio en México: un gran salto en motor y tecnología". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Official results of the Volkswagen New Virtus + 6 Airbags 2022". LATIN NCAP - PARA AUTOS MAS SEGUROS. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Global NCAP: Skoda Slavia & VW Virtus get 5-star safety rating". Team-BHP. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  23. ^ @NBrenwin (13 February 2023). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 August 2023 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "Global NCAP Adult Occupant Protection Assessment Protocols 2022-25" (PDF).
  25. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2018". AUTOO. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2019". AUTOO. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  27. ^ García, Gerardo (10 January 2020). "Los 374 autos más vendidos de México: la lista completa porque el top 10 ya te lo sabes". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  28. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2020". AUTOO (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  29. ^ García, Gerardo (8 January 2021). "Los 377 autos más vendidos de México en 2020: la lista completa del ranking de ventas". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2021". AUTOO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  31. ^ García, Gerardo (8 January 2022). "Los 379 autos más vendidos de México en 2021: la lista completa del ranking de ventas". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2022". AUTOO (in Brazilian Portuguese). 3 February 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  33. ^ García, Gerardo (6 January 2023). "Los 371 autos más vendidos de México en 2022: el ranking completo con todos los modelos". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2023". AUTOO (in Brazilian Portuguese). 8 February 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  35. ^ García, Gerardo (10 January 2024). "Los autos más vendidos en México en 2023: así queda el ranking con los 389 modelos". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 March 2024.
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