On March 3, Volkswagen distributor in Vietnam announced the launch of the B-segment sedan, Virtus. The car comes in two versions, Elegance priced at 949 million dong, and Luxury at 1.069 billion dong.
Volkswagen Virtus made its first appearance in the market in 2018 and is seen as the sedan version of the Polo hatchback. Virtus shares the same platform as the T-Cross, which has been sold in Vietnam since May 2022. This model is the only sedan option from the German brand after the discontinuation of the Passat.
Volkswagen Virtus has compact dimensions, with lengths, widths, and heights of 4,561 mm, 1,752 mm, and 1,507 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase length of 2,651 mm.
Standard equipment on the Virtus includes LED daytime running lights, fog lights, 16-inch wheels, and electrically adjustable mirrors. The Luxury variant offers additional features such as automatic headlights.
If the exterior of the Volkswagen Virtus doesn’t have many highlights, the interior of the car brings a modern and premium feel. It features a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. The steering wheel is similar to the T-Cross, with paddle shifters behind it. Standard equipment includes leather seats, 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic air conditioning, and wireless phone charging.
In the Elegance variant, the Virtus comes with a 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster, while the Luxury variant gets an 8-inch digital display. The Luxury variant also offers ventilated perforated seats.
Like the T-Cross, the Volkswagen Virtus is equipped with a turbocharged direct fuel injection engine, generating 115 horsepower at 5,000 – 5,500 rpm and 178 Nm of torque at 1,750 – 4,000 rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
The Virtus comes with a range of safety features, including electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring, traction control, hill start assist, reverse sensors, rearview camera, and electronic immobilizer.
Similar to other Volkswagen models in Vietnam, the Virtus is positioned as a more premium option compared to mainstream B-segment sedans such as the Toyota Vios and Honda City. Its price range of 949 – 1.069 billion dong even surpasses that of D-segment sedans like the Mazda6 (829 – 1.039 billion dong) and Kia K5 (904 – 1.049 billion dong).
According to experts, with its compact size and sufficient passenger amenities but a relatively high price ($43,000), will the Volkswagen Virtus be able to convince Vietnamese customers?
Thành Nhơn (forum.autodaily.vn)
