My Altroz diesel replacement: Confused between Virtus & Altroz Racer

This is totally a personal opinion and this comparison may not make sense to people who buy cars with image & segments in their mind.

BHPian PrasannaDhana recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Disclaimer: This is totally a personal opinion and this comparison may not make sense to people who buy cars with images & segments in their mind. And I absolutely agree the 1.0 TSI is an excellent motor, and if I may call it that - Superior to 1.2L turbo petrol of Tata. The following opinion is from my perspective as a user who has daily highway usage involving driving at consistent triple-digit speeds on majorly great highways.

I have been eyeing the Virtus 1.0 MT for some time now as a replacement for my Altroz diesel(which I absolutely love though). Basically because it was as much fun to drive (a bit faster to 100kmph too if that's what your idea of fun is), as safe, but had better NVH, got a 6-speed MT which I missed in Altroz diesel & looked gorgeous.

Now with the launch of Altroz Racer, If the 1.2L turbo petrol BS6.2 is anywhere as refined at 6th gear 100 kmph cruising as the 1.0 TSI, I personally think Altroz Racer is an ideal replacement. I am hopeful as I already have the same BS6.2 1.2L N/A which is very refined until 100 kmph.

This is where the Altroz Racer favors the balance - the OTR Cost

Comparing Altroz Racer with Virtus Highline 1.0MT, which may not make sense to the majority of buyers, but to me, yes.

Both are 5 stars at Global NCAP & both cars are dynamically sorted(Virtus has a softer suspension though)

The power figures are more or less identical

When we compare the loaded yet VFM R2 variant of Altroz Racer with Virtus Highline(because HL is pretty loaded and is VFM when compared to Topline)

There is a 3.7 lakh difference! And the Altroz gets these additional features over the Virtus HL

• Electric Sunroof
• Leatherette seats
• 10 inch infotainment + full TFT console
• 360-degree camera and lane watch assist

If we decided to go even VFM and compare Racer R1 with Virtus HL

There is a whopping 5.5 lakh difference! for pretty much identical features set. Should I add, that Altroz has a chiller of an AC which, sadly, the Virtus doesn't. I don't really need a boot as 345L boot space has been enough for me and don't really need a 510L boot(my previous car ciaz had it yet wasn't needed for my usage except for a few times in 6 years of usage)

Now the major question I ask myself is - Is spending 3+ lakhs for that gorgeous 3-box sedan look justified?

From initial reviews, the engine is pretty good. The sprint to the tonne is also almost identical at 11.xx seconds, where the VW must be slightly quicker. All I need to see is how refined the 3-pot 1.2L turbo petrol is at normal usage (90-110 kmph cruising on highways).

I absolutely love how refined the 1.0 TSI is, for a 3-pot motor and how well it revs and delivers that power.

Dealing with Volkswagen and Tata after sales is like dealing with an alcoholic & a drug addict respectively. So no big difference there. But Kaveri Tata has been phenomenal in my experience of having 3 tatas currently in the garage.

I have been informed that Altroz Racer has arrived in my city for Test drives. I will share my opinion after I drive the Altroz Racer.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.