Volkswagen Virtus, Taigun 1.5 TSI manual variants discontinued

Volkswagen India has quietly discontinued the 6-speed manual gearbox option for the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol variants of the Virtus sedan and Taigun midsize SUV. This manual gearbox was offered alongside the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, which now remains the only transmission available for the enthusiast-focused 1.5 TSI engine across Volkswagen’s model portfolios.

Volkswagen Virtus, Taigun 1.5 TSI MT discontinuation details

1.5 TSI MT variants were substantially more affordable than the DCT

The 1.5 TSI manual powertrain was available for the Taigun since launch and added to the Virtus line-up in June 2023. It offered a more accessible entry point to the 150hp 1.5 TSI variants of the Taigun and Virtus while also appealing to enthusiast buyers.

The last recorded prices for the VW Virtus and Taigun 1.5 TSI manual powertrain were Rs 17.09 lakh-17.33 lakh and Rs 17.04 lakh, respectively. Following the manual’s phase-out, starting prices for the 1.5 TSI-powered Virtus and Taigun stand at Rs 18.80 lakh and Rs 18.95 lakh, respectively.

Now, the only way to buy a manual-equipped Virtus or Taigun is by opting for the less powerful 115hp, 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. Interestingly, Skoda, which has the same engines for the Slavia and Kushaq, also discontinued their 1.5 TSI manual variants in September 2024. This leaves the Hyundai Verna as the only midsize sedan you can currently buy with a 4-cylinder turbo-petrol MT powertrain.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.