Volkswagen Virtus

The Virtus is powered by the same engine as the Taigun. So you have a 1.0-litre TSI engine, and a 1.5-litre TSI Evo engine. The figures are impressive: 148bhp and 250Nm of torque, with dynamic cylinder cut-off technology. The seven-speed DSG transmission handles transmission chores, and unlike Slavia, there is no manual option with this engine.

The TSI Evo motor feels polished on the move, with outstanding throttle response. You only need a dab to get past slow-moving traffic. That creates the sense that the 1.5-litre engine will surprise you when you eventually touch the accelerator.

However, this is not the case. Acceleration does not strike like a hammer; rather, it is linear and gains speed quickly. Volkswagen claims a 0-100kmph speed of 9.0 seconds.

VW says it is also fuel-efficient, with a great number of 18.67kmpl, thanks to active cylinder cut-off technology The seven-speed transmission works perfectly. It offers rapid up and down adjustments and is a delight to use with the paddle shifters.

There's no denying that the Virtus is a looker, especially the GT model . Starting with the front, this is a bold-looking sedan. The smoked LED headlights and integrated DRLs compliment the compact LED headlights, which are matched by the single slatted grille.

The true appeal, though, is the front air dam region, which gives it Sylvester Stallone's jawline. The air dam region, as shown, is a combination of chrome and piano black inlays, and it also gets halogen fog lights.

Alloy wheels with two colors are on the side. Notable features include gloss black alloy wheels and a "GT" badge on the front fender on the top-tier GT model. The split tail lamps in the back have a smoke effect, and the 'Virtus' lettering is more clearly displayed in the middle of the boot.

More black can be seen on the side in the shape of the 16-inch razor shiny black alloy wheels. This is also a very long automobile, and it is 20mm longer than the Slavia, which is built on the same chassis, making it the longest car in its class.

The Virtus, like the Slavia, is a high-riding sedan, which means it has a large 179mm of ground clearance, which may appear to be an eyesore but offers the car SUV-like poor road capabilities. Moving to the back, you'll see these stylish LED tail lights.

The small black lip spoiler adds a sporty touch to the rear, while the blacked-out region below with a chrome inlay adds even more contrast.

Overall, we believe the Virtus looks fantastic and is the sportiest looking car in its class.

Despite the lack of fresh releases, the market for mid-size cars, or this sector, is rising, according to both Skoda and VW. The Virtus aims to meet this need by providing a credible alternative to the popular Honda City and its brother from another mother, the Skoda Slavia.

The Virtus has a number of positive attributes. It's the largest car in its class, it looks luxurious, and it looks sporty in this GT model. It also offers the capacity and functionality of an SUV, with foldable seats and great ground clearance, as well as a large feature list and performance to match.

When it comes to the price point of VW Virtus, the price starts at Rs. 10.6 lakh for the base We believe Virtus costs would start at Rs 11.31 Lakh for the base 1.0-litre model and goes up to Rs 18.41 lakh for this top-spec GT variant. And based on what it brings to the table, we believe the Virtus has all the qualities of a winner.