Volkswagen Virtus Spied In India, Used For Developing New Vento?

Volkswagen Virtus Spied Rear — The sedan replaced the Vento in select overseas markets

A left-hand drive Volkswagen Virtus sedan has been spied in Pune recently, fuelling speculations as Skoda Auto Volkswagen India gear up for a product offensive under its India 2.0 plan.

After the Hyundai Creta-rivalling Volkswagen Taigun and production version of the Skoda Vision IN compact SUVs make their debut in the country, both Skoda and Volkswagen will be launching the successors to their C-segment sedans.

The products will be based on the heavily localised MQB A0 IN platform and both will share components and drivetrains, while wearing dissimilar clothing.

So what is the Volkswagen Virtus spied on public roads doing here? Well, it might be that the car is being used for benchmarking purposes.

Or it could be that components made in India, that will find their way onto the Vento and Rapid replacements are being tested using the car.

Based on the current-generation Volkswagen Polo (not sold in India), the Virtus replaced the Vento in select overseas markets and some of the tech used in the car may well find its way onto the Vento and Rapid successors.

It would be interesting to see how much the new C-segment sedans from Volkswagen and Skoda are inspired by the Virtus. If there is one area that needs to be taken as is, it is the interior, for it is well thought through and modern.

There is a 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a digital driver’s cluster inside, while features such as automatic climate control, keyless entry, among others, are on offer as well.

Since both the Vento and Rapid replacements will hit the market next year, development of the models will be fast paced.

Both cars will mostly be powered by a 1.0-litre TSI petrol motor and will have a 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options. A diesel variant is unlikely to be offered.

However, there is a slight twist to the tale. Replying to a query on Twitter yesterday, Director (Sales, Service and Marketing) of Skoda Auto India, Zac Hollis, has stated that there will be no new Rapid for India.

He added that at the end of 2021 the brand will launch a new sedan based on the MQB AO platform which will be bigger.