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Enjoyed driving VW Virtus 1.0 TSI AT Topline: Detailed review with pics

25th March 2025, 11:36 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

This car ticks the right boxes for someone who is a more sedate driver and wants to eke out performance once in a while.

BHPian vigsom recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Introduction

I got to experience a VW Virtus 1.0 TSI AT Topline. While there is the official review and a few other ownership reports on the forum already, presented in the next few posts are my few bits that may not have been featured elsewhere.

My first encounter with a Volkswagen Virtus

My first sight of the Virtus was at 11:30pm one chilly night, when, I was waiting to be picked up and taken home. My first impression of the car, finished in Candy White, was that it looked like an attractive candy. I sat inside, and could only appreciate the new-looking console, all bright, a fairly comfortable seat, and a door that shut typical VW-like. It was quite late by the time we reached home, and detailed views of the Virtus were reserved for the next day.

First Impressions of the VW Virtus

What I loved

As only the third VW sedan I've ever driven, it certainly did bring a smile to my face - super smooth, super quick, super efficient. I never felt that this was a three-cylinder engine
Solid feeling doors and a heavy hood
Simple, yet elegant exterior
Supportive seats, and an executive-like feel when seated in the rear seat
Large boot
Pleasing to the eye displays

What I didn't like

There is a weird lag when the car lifts off from a standstill, and just when one presses the throttle a little more, it suddenly spurts
Before I examined the car, I took a look at the parts catalog, and I must say, parts are pricey, and bills are going to be steep
Coming from Japanese cars, it took me a while to understand German set ups; even a simple wheel nut removal needed the owner, and me to refer to the owner's manual
While the engine bay doesn't look cramped, placement of some bits eg. multi-fuse, intake and exhaust are O&M unfriendly viz. can be tiresome to work on for a technician
Not that it matters, but the driveshaft solid forged bar ought to have been painted black instead of just being left unpainted

Here are a few sample good bits (G) and not-so-good (N) ones

G - Executive like rear seat