The Virtus was the only India 2.0 model to not have had a 1.5 TSI MT powertrain option so far.
In what will be a huge delight for enthusiasts, Volkswagen has announced that it will soon launch a new manual variant of the Virtus 1.5 TSI. So far, the 1.5 TSI engine on the Virtus was only available with the 7-speed DSG gearbox in GT Plus trim. Crucially, the manual gearbox with the 1.5 TSI engine will also lower the entry point to this more powerful engine.
- Volkswagen Virtus to get new 1.5 TSI MT variant
- Likely to be offered with higher-spec trims only
- Price announcement expected in June 2023
New Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI MT variant incoming
The manual gearbox with the 150hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol on the Virtus will be the same 6-speed unit that’s offered with the Slavia, Kushaq and Taigun. In fact, the Virtus was the only India 2.0 model that was not offered with a manual gearbox with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. This was also a key differentiator from its sibling and rival, the Skoda Slavia.
The addition of this new variant could be in response to Hyundai launching the new Verna with a 160hp, turbo-petrol engine with both manual and automatic gearboxes. Until now, Volkswagen and Skoda were pretty much unrivalled in the midsize sedan segment in catering to enthusiasts, and this move could be to brace against the new competition.
Volkswagen will offer the Virtus 1.5 TSI MT only on the top-spec GT Plus trim, and the GT Line treatment – which includes GT badges and blacked-out alloys – will also be carried over for the new manual versions.
Volkswagen Virtus gets new colours, special editions
Volkswagen will also introduce a new ‘GT Edge Limited Collection’ of the Virtus GT Plus in both manual and automatic versions. Limited in volumes, the special edition models will get an exclusive ‘Deep Black Pearl’ finish. All variants of the Volkswagen Virtus will also get a new ‘Lava Blue’ paint shade – a popular shade on many Skoda models and was recently also introduced on Slavia and Kushaq.
Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI MT expected price
The 1.5 TSI engine on the Virtus is currently available only in a single, top-spec trim with the 7-speed DSG gearbox and is priced at Rs 18.57 lakh. Expect the manual version to be considerably more affordable. However, Skoda will still have a competitive advantage here as it offers the 1.5-litre turbo MT powertrain in a mid-spec trim, thereby having a lower entry price.
For reference, the manual version of the Slavia 1.5 TSI in its top-spec Style trim is priced at 17 lakh, ex-showroom, so the manual versions of the Virtus 1.5 TSI could also be priced in the same ballpark. Volkswagen has said prices will be announced for all new variants in June 2023, and deliveries could begin shortly thereafter.
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