Automobile Desk: German car manufacturer Volkswagen, which has made a strong hold in the Indian automobile market, has officially unveiled the external look of the new model of its popular sedan Virtus i.e. 'Virtus Facelift'. This car, which will give a tough challenge to established vehicles like Honda City in the mid-size sedan segment, was launched in the Indian market in mid-2022. Nearly four and a half years after its launch, the company is now going to give it its first major design update.
In the first look of the new model that the company has shown, the one that attracts the most attention is its signature GT variant, which has been showcased in a very attractive dark blue shade. After the new cosmetic changes, this sedan now looks more aggressive, muscular and sporty on the road than ever before. The front profile of the car has been completely changed. The lower part of the bumper has been reshaped and a wider grille has been added to it, with a diamond-pattern mesh insert giving it a premium appeal. The upper grille connecting the headlights gets a horizontal chrome finish, while the bumper adds black cutouts at the ends and a sleek chrome trim at the bottom.
If we look at the side profile, the classic silhouette of the car and the door handles have been kept the same, but the GT badging and sporty touches give it a different identity. New blacked-out alloy wheels, glossy black rearview mirrors (ORVMs) and the red GT logo on the front fender add to the sporty character of the car. Apart from this, the red brake callipers given in the front wheels make the overall looks of the car quite bold.
Talking about the rear, the company has made sensible changes there too. A new black spoiler is now seen on the boot-lid, which improves the looks along with the aerodynamics. Triangular elements are provided in the lower part of the bumper. The traditional rear design has been retained by keeping both the tail-lights separate. 'VIRTUS' is written in big bold letters in the middle of the boot lid and a red 'GT' badge flashes on the right side.
This time a big upgrade can be seen in terms of features and safety. The camera module is seen just below the rearview mirror, which is a clear indication that the new Virtus will now have a 360-degree surround-view camera setup. Although the company has not yet shared pictures and interior details of the cabin, it is expected that a new large digital display and some modern connected car features can be added to the dashboard.
Talking about engine and performance, Volkswagen will continue with the existing reliable TSI petrol engine option. It will have the option of 1.0-litre 3-cylinder and 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. However, a major change may be seen on the transmission front. According to reports from Automobile World, the 6-speed torque-converter gearbox that comes with the 1.0-litre engine can now be replaced with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This new Volkswagen Virtus facelift can be fully introduced in the market in December 2026.