Volkswagen Virtus

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]

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  Rear view (Brazil, pre-facelift)

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

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]

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]

• 
  2022 Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 GT (India)
• 
  Rear view
• 
  Interior

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.[15]

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)[16]

In 2020, Latin NCAP introduced a geometric evaluation for head protection airbags for rear occupants;[17] 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.[18] 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 against their new protocols in 2022, and it achieved the maximum five star safety rating.

2022 Volkswagen Virtus + 6 airbags, made in India

Latin NCAP scores (2022)[19]
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

The Virtus is 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, 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 (and its sister model) was independently crash-tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) at Volkswagen's expense and scored five stars for adult and child occupant protection.[20] The protection provided to the driver and passenger's head and neck during the front impact test was good. Both front occupants' chest protection was sufficient, and the knees displayed decent protection. The car provided decent protection for the passenger's tibias and adequate protection for the driver's tibias. Both the bodyshell and the footwell section received steady ratings.

The head, chest, and abdomen received adequate ratings for side impact protection, while the pelvis displayed good protection. In the side pole impact test, the curtain airbags provided good protection for the head, abdomen, and pelvis, but only marginal protection for the chest. The 3-year-old's child seat provided complete protection by preventing head exposure during the frontal impact test. The 18-month-old's kid seat was also able to keep the head from being exposed. Both child safety seats (CRS) provided complete side impact protection.

2023 Volkswagen Virtus 'Comfortline/Highline', RHD

Global NCAP scores (H2 2023)
Adult occupant stars
Adult occupant score	29.71/34.00
Child occupant stars
Child occupant score	42.00/49.00