For quite a long years, Volkswagen India never managed to give a major facelift to it’s mid-size sedan, the Vento. All they used to do is minutely revamping cosmetics and adding mediocre yet handy features to it’s Sedan.
Having said that this time the game is going to be completely different, as the Next-Gen Vento (or Virtus) will never seem like a standard Vento which also indicates the begining of Volkswagen Project 2.0.
Virtus not coming to India
Recently, a test mule of VW Virtus was being spotted Near Sanghvi area of Pune. The Virtus is a Mid-size Sedan offered in South American Markets which was being launched as a replacement for the Vento. This sedan is related to the new Polo: it was developed especially for markets like Brazil. However, India is unlikely to get this Virtus Sedan in India. Instead, VW is aiming towards making a different Sedan based on India specific MQB A0 IN platform. However, some components of the Virtus are likely to be borrowed for the Production of upcoming Vento.
Recently Skoda India’s Head, Zac Hollis confirmed that India wont get the rapid back instead will get a larger sedan than Rapid by the end of 2021. Now, there is no two ways about the fact that skoda will use the same platform (MQB AO IN) on which the Virtus will be based for sure.
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES?
First of all the dimensions of the Virtus is way larger than the Current-Gen Vento from every possible angle. The Virtus will get a fully-digital instrument cluster, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, parking camera, cruise control, keyless entry etc. Having said that what are going to be extraordinary features? Well for starters VW might bring highly advanced assistance systems, a digital cockpit (Active Info Display) and a high degree of connectivity (for example via App-Connect).
ENGINE AND GEARBOX
The upcoming Vento is expected to be offered with a 1L turbo-petrol Motor (130 Ps/200 Nm) which will come mated to a 6-speed torque-converter Gearbox along with again a 1.5L turbo petrol-motor (150 Ps/250 Nm) mated to a 7-speed DCT Gearbox.
LAUNCH, PRICING AND COMPETETION
First of all, it’s certainly unclear whether the ‘Virtus’ badge would be carried forward or not. The Virtus/Vento is expected to hit Indian roads by the end of 2021, once launched will compete against the likes of Honda city, Hyundai Verna and MS Ciaz.
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