Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI - long term 1,000 km review: First Report

What's not to love about a fast, drop-dead gorgeous sedan, right? Well, that's exactly what I thought when Volkswagen rolled out its new Virtus in the Indian market and being a firm fanboy of sedans over SUVs, I was delighted to finally witness some action in the segment. Virtus made bold statement as something worth looking into that can give SUVs a run for their money. Fast forward a few months, and the Virtus 1.5 TSI (7-speed DSG) enters my garage as a long-termer and there I was again, cheering on the highest note, like a boy who just got handed over his favorite toy.

Volkswagen has set its priorities straight and with the Virtus, the company aimed at delivering a sedan that can not just run on Indian roads, but conquer them like no other car has done before. And all this started with the Indianised version of its MQB A0 platform - MQB A0 IN, which underpins its latest range in India. The use of this framework has not only allowed the car to fit the Indian needs, but also made the products more robust for the country.

Virtus vs speed bumps:

My daily driver Civic (at 130 mm) loves to rub belly at each speed bump that it can possibly find, however, driving a sedan that stands tall with 179 mm clearance (unladen) is probably the best part of experiencing Virtus on the Indian roads that always have unexpected adventures to offer on every turn. At the time of writing this initial report, I had already clocked over 1,000 km on the car's Odo meter, and not one-speed bump has managed to unsettle the car, which for me makes it a hassle-free ride. (Virtus 1, Speed bumps 0)

Being a VW, the handling prowess comes naturally to the red-hot sedan, however, what's surprising is that it is able to remain an enthusiastic handler even when standing comparatively taller from the ground. The way it curtails body roll is noteworthy, simply like it is non-existent, even on the sharpest of turns. And at the same time, take it on the roads less traveled and it manages to simply float away like it's meant for such challenging terrains. All this only reflects the balance between performance and practicality of the car's suspension that engineers at VW have strived for, and simply delivered.

This reminds me that sitting behind the steering wheel is the best place inside the Virtus. This seat is not only designed to access the driver-oriented console and infotainment system at best but also a simple, clean and tasteful approach from Deutschland always puts a smile on the face as soon as you step and let yourself sink in, taking a feel of the authoritative position behind the wheel.

And to add to the things I have liked the most about the car is the combination of the 1.5-litre TSI with 7-speed DSG that has always come to the rescue whenever I wanted to push ahead zipping through the traffic with ease. The sync of this powertrain with this gearbox is a highlight of the car which again makes a driver's delight. Also, with active cylinder technology, VW promises a higher fuel economy of 18.67 kmpl (claimed), which is also contributed by the smart start/stop feature which come in handy as soon as the car is brought to halt. Let go of the gas while rolling and the engine automatically switches to two-cylinder mode (from four), saving fuel in the process. However, the transition remains smooth and you hardly notice the difference. It's only when you spot the indication on the driver's screen it tells you this mode is activated, and then it instantly goes off as soon as you put a heavy foot on the pedal.

I did manage to achieve close to 13.33 kmpl in my experience with Virtus 1.5 TSI, however, it was mostly driven within the city limits. Ill be happy to see how the car does on the highway when I take it on a long drive next month (details of which will be added in the next report).

Till now Virtus has managed to keep me in good spirits as a daily driver by not just being an enthusiastic sedan but also with its awe-worthy looks that manages to grab attention even while resting in the parking bay.

Now what's awaited is to see its highway manners and its practicality as a touring car that should come to light in the next report. Stay tuned.