Volkswagen has unveiled the exterior design of the upcoming Virtus facelift, offering a first look at the styling updates made to the midsize sedan. Changes on the facelifted Virtus include an all-new front bumper and fog lamps, redesigned alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera setup and front parking sensors. This is the first comprehensive update to the midsize sedan since its India launch in 2022.
- Interior design is expected to be the same, but new features are likely
- The 1.0-litre TSI engine is expected to get a new 8-speed AT option
Volkswagen Virtus facelift exterior: What are the changes?
Gets an all-new front bumper with revised fog lamps, and new alloy wheels
Volkswagen is offering the Virtus facelift with a completely revamped front bumper with diamond-shaped design elements and smaller fog lamps, which seem to be projector LED units. Keen-eyed viewers can spot new front parking sensors and a camera pod on the bumper, indicating a new 360-degree camera setup on the midsize sedan. The headlights are the same as the older model, while the grille sports a new illuminated VW logo and a GT badge.
In profile, it gets redesigned 16-inch black alloy wheels, but other non-GT trims are expected to get dual-tone rims. The outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) feature camera pods for the surround-view monitor. A red GT badge sits on the front doors.
Aside from a slightly revised black section on the lower rear bumper and a red GT badge on the boot, the rear design of the Virtus facelift is identical to the older model. It gets the same taillights, a boot-lip spoiler and a shark-fin antenna are the same as the older model.
Volkswagen Virtus facelift: Other expected changes
Interior design could be the same, but a few features from Taigun are expected
The interior design and feature updates are yet to be revealed. However, they are expected to be similar to those introduced in its sibling, the Volkswagen Taigun. These could include a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an updated climate control system with a revised compressor for improved cooling. Additionally, the existing 10.1-inch infotainment system could receive a refreshed user interface (UI) along with integrated AI-powered voice assistant.
Other features like a single-pane sunroof, a wireless phone charger, automatic climate control with rear vents, and an 8-speaker sound system will be carried over to the facelifted Virtus. Save for a 360-degree camera and front parking sensors, the safety suite is expected to be identical to the older model with features like 6 standard airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), rear parking sensors and a day/night inside rearview mirror (IRVM).
The 1.0 TSI engine is expected to be offered with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox
The Virtus shares its powertrain options with the Volkswagen Taigun SUV and its Skoda stablemates: the Slavia and Kushaq, all of which received a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission (AT), which replaced the 6-speed AT option on the 115hp 1.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. This change is also expected on the facelifted Virtus. Meanwhile, the 6-speed manual gearbox option with the same 115hp engine and the dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with the larger 150hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mill are expected to be retained.
With the facelift, Volkswagen is expected to increase the prices of the Virtus, which ranges from Rs 10.71 lakh to Rs 19.20 lakh (ex-showroom). The facelifted Virtus will continue to lock horns with the Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna and Honda City.