VW Virtus’s 1.5-litre Engine And DSG Combo Become More Affordable By Rs 2.37 Lakh

• Volkswagen has introduced a new GT DSG variant for the Virtus.

• New variant brings down the pricing of the 1.5-litre engine by Rs 70,000 compared to the GT Plus MT trim.

• And when pitched against the GT Plus trim, it’s a whopping Rs 2.37 lakh more affordable. 

• Sits at the bottom of Virtus’s Performance Line, just below the GT Plus MT variant.

• Packs a 10-inch touchscreen, electric ORVMs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Misses out on a few features like a digital instrument cluster, rain sensing wipers, and an electric sunroof.

• The GT DSG variant is available in all the seven colours offered on the Virtus.

Volkswagen seems to be listening to customer feedback rather diligently. Just recently, the German carmaker made the manual transmission available with its more potent 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, and now, the German marque has introduced the same with a DSG in a more affordable GT variant. The new variant marks the beginning of the Virtus’s Performance Line and sits below the GT Plus MT variant. Here’s how it stacks up in the Virtus’s variant lineup:

Price

VW has cleverly priced the new GT DSG trim at the same price tag as the 1-litre Topline AT variant. The new trim has made the 1.5-litre powertrain more affordable by Rs 70,000 as it sits below the recently launched GT Plus MT variant. And when you compare it with the GT Plus DSG variant, you get savings of Rs 2.37 lakh. 

In terms of looks, it is more or less the same as the GT Plus variants with the GT branding on the exterior as well as interior, red paint for the brake calipers, GT-themed upholstery, and red ambient lighting. However, it misses out on the chrome inlay for the window line and black paint for the 16-inch alloys. 

Even though the GT is the entry level variant for the Virtus’s Performance Line, it still packs quite a few creature comforts to keep the passengers pleasant. A few of them include a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-speaker sound system, cooled glovebox, cruise control, rear AC vents and electric ORVMs. 

But it does miss out on a few niceties like the digital instrument cluster, leatherette seat upholstery, auto dimming IRVMs, auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers, and electric sunroof.

In terms of safety kit, this variant gets dual airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, three-point seatbelts, a reversing camera with guidelines, ISOFIX mounts, and a rear defogger. Six airbags are currently limited to the top-spec Topline and GT Plus trims. 

The GT DSG variant packs Virtus's 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which has an output of 150PS and 250Nm. It sends power to the front wheels via 7-speed DSG. If you want a manual ‘box with this powertrain, you have no choice but to step up to the GT Plus variant. There’s also a 115PS/178Nm, 1-litre turbo-petrol powertrain available with other variants. This engine is mated to a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. 

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People who are yearning for the 1.5-litre petrol mill but don’t want to stretch their budget too close to the Rs 19-lakh mark can now consider booking The GT DSG variant. Prices for the Virtus range between Rs 11.47 lakh and Rs 18.76 lakh (ex-showroom). It rivals the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.