Volkswagen had originally designed its Virtus sedan for South America, but the 2022MY facelift debuted in India first.
The Indian spec of the Virtus comes based on the same MQB-A0-IN platform as the Skoda Slavia, just slightly adapted to the local market. Pre-orders are already running, and the vehicle should become available on other markets soon.
The four-door car is nearly identical to the Slavia with the same 2,651 mm (103.5 inches) of wheelbase and comparable 521 liters (18.4 cubic feet) of trunk space. The facelift makes it 4,561 mm (178.1 inches) long, which is 20 mm (0.8 inches) longer than the Slavia, and around 80 mm (3.1 inches) longer than the old Brazil variant.
From the design point of view, the Indian spec boasts a restyled front end with signature features borrowed from other modern Volkswagens (headlights, grille and hood). The taillights and the rear bumper are also new, while the sides and the overall outlines are identical to those of the Skoda Slavia. The interior layout is different, but individual elements are often the same.
The base trim level comes with a seven-inch touchscreen display. Higher trims introduce a nine-inch display, climate control, wireless charging and ventilated seats.
Power is sourced from the same 1.0- and 1.5-liter engines as the ones powering the Sla via. The smaller unit teams up with a six-speed transmission (you can choose between manual and automatic) and produces 115 PS (113 hp / 85 kW). The latter trades the auto option for a seven-speed DCT and makes 150 PS (148 hp / 110 kW). The old Virtus in Brazil additionally has a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated option good for 110 PS (108 hp / 81 kW).