It was also the perfect opportunity to take our Virtus GT MT on an extended highway drive to see how the car performs in its element.

BHPian SathyaV recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello TBHP fam! Sharing the details of my recent road trip from Chennai to Swamimalai and back.

Trip Overview:

Car: Virtus GT MT (MY 2024)
Number of Persons: 2
Approximate Budget: ₹22,000
Budget Breakdown:

With the long weekend falling on October 11th to 13th, my wife and I decided to make the most of it with a short getaway. It was also the perfect opportunity to take our Virtus GT MT on an extended highway drive to see how the car performs in its element.
In this post, I’ll cover the journey in detail, including the routes we took, pit stops we made, and, of course, the driving experience with the Virtus.

Day 1- Chennai to Swamimalai:-

Route Overview:

There are three routes to reach Swamimalai from Sholinganallur, and we opted for the one via GST. The primary reason was the long stretch along GST (NH 45), which we've driven before and found reliable for a comfortable cruise. While it’s not perfect, it offers a familiar four-lane road where we could relax and enjoy the drive.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CTg2w7AwMw2NMozy5

Start of the Journey (Sholinganallur to Thiruporur):

The morning drive from Shollinganalur to Thiruporur was smooth and uneventful. Typical early morning OMR traffic, but with good roads and relatively light congestion, it made for a comfortable start to the trip.
The stretch from Thiruporur to Chengalpattu along the Chengalpattu-Thiruporur road was particularly scenic. Lush greenery lined both sides, creating a peaceful and serene drive. Despite being a single carriageway, the low traffic and well-maintained roads made this leg of the journey quite enjoyable.
However, we did notice the absence of street lights, which could be a concern for night driving, especially with family. Having driven this route in the dark before, I’ve always felt an urge to cross it quickly rather than enjoying the drive, maybe just a personal quirk!

Pit Stop: Manoj Bhavan

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SVFysJ1pJ9R9grh87

We took a quick stop at Manoj Bhavan for breakfast and a washroom break. The food was good, and the washrooms were clean enough for a comfortable refresh. It’s a good pitstop option for families.

Manoj Bhavan to Ulundurpet (NH 45/GST):

The drive from Manoj Bhavan to Ulundurpet on GST was fairly smooth. There was a noticeable holiday crowd, but the roads were in good condition, allowing us to comfortably cruise between 90-110 km/h. The traffic kept us mindful of our speeds, and some stretches weren’t ideal for driving at triple digits. Overall, it was a decent road for a relaxed drive.

On the Way to Virudhachalam (SH 69):

After Ulundurpet, we turned onto SH 69, heading towards Virudhachalam. This stretch featured a mix of single-carriageway roads with good paving. The route was quite scenic, especially after a recent light rain, which transformed the surroundings into a picturesque paradise.

Virudhachalam to Swamimalai (SH 141/SH 140):

From Virudhachalam, we took the SH 141/SH 140, which is a blend of about 60% single carriageway and 40% dual carriageway. The newly laid dual carriageways were in very good condition, allowing us to have a comfortable drive.
However, we had to stay alert for the farm animals along the route. They seemed to notice us and would play a game of hide and seek, pretending to step out into the road just as we approached. This playful maneuvering made for a fun challenge, keeping us engaged with our accelerator and brake pedals—definitely a good workout!

Finally we reached Indeco - Swamimalai by around 13:00 and I achieved an impressive average of 16.4 kmpl!

Day 1 Stay : Embracing Tradition: A Retreat at Indeco Swamimalai:-

Indeco Swamimalai offers a true retreat, immersing guests in the rich Tamil culture. Nestled amidst lush green farmlands, the resort boasts a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts that provide a glimpse into the region’s history.
Our experience was enhanced by the excellent service and spacious accommodations, ensuring a comfortable stay. One of the highlights was a guided tour of the museum,, led by the owner, Steve, who shared fascinating insights about key artifacts, including:

• Chola period weaponry and weapons
• A secret tunnel from the Chola period
• The first gramophone
• Ingenious fans and refrigerators designed to function without electricity, operating instead on kerosene

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Since we opted for a day of relaxation without any specific plans to explore nearby attractions, one night was sufficient for us. However, if you're considering a visit with young children or planning to explore the nearby temples and sights, I highly recommend extending your stay to two days. There are plenty of activities and experiences to keep you engaged and entertained!

The Iconic carving

The Mint Palace

This was initially in Mint Street Chennai and it was bought and reconstructed by Steve at Swamimalai. Now this majestic building serves as the museum and the main reception of the retreat.

Tyres before rubber!!

This English cycle had metal tyres which were used in places where rubber was in short supply.

Original 1837 Madras Central prison gates

Day 2- Swamimalai to Auroville:-

Route Overview:

The following day, we set off on our drive to Auroville (or nearby Auroville). There are three route options, but we chose the NH 36/NH 81/NH 32 route after reading news about the freshly laid surfaces of both NH 36 and NH 81, which promised a smooth journey.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6zFSs4SrQ5bhAnXT7

Swamimalai to Gangaikonda Cholapuram via NH 36: Effortless Cruising

NH 36, a proper 4/6 lane dual carriageway, allowed for triple-digit speeds with ease and safety.

Architectural Stop: Gangaikonda Cholapuram

A 40 min drive took us to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and we dropped by the great Peruvudiar temple and spent some decent time marveling at the architecture. It was amazing. I would say a must see for anyone who is planning a trip around this region

https://maps.app.goo.gl/32mUbYsq5JZEEjN87

Scenic Crossings: Anaikarai Dam and Kollidam River

Continuing on our journey toward Auroville, we crossed Anaikarai Dam over narrow roads and bridges built across the Kollidam River. It felt as though we were driving through or over the dam, making for a delightful experience.

NH 81: A Fresh Stretch

We connected to NH 81, the Coimbatore to Chidambaram highway, where we encountered some nicely laid single carriageway. The roads felt new and I think they had the new whitetopping applied over the entire stretch.

We enjoyed a pleasant cruise. However, the whitetopping made the bitumen roads feel more like concrete, amplifying any undulations and resulting in a less planted ride than I would have preferred. Still, the car provided ample confidence to cruise at a respectable speed.

The entire stretch was lined with beautiful paddy fields and farmland, making the drive quite enjoyable. However, since this part of NH 81 is newly constructed, there were hardly any restaurants or fuel stations along the way, so it's essential to plan accordingly. Ensure both the car and its occupants are adequately fueled for the journey!

An interesting note:Automated Toll Gates:-

The toll gate we passed through was fully automated, with only one operator at the leftmost lane for cash payments. All other lanes were Fastag-enabled and operated seamlessly!

We wanted to stop by Goru Gardenfor Lunch but the restaurant was packed and we saw some 3 travel or tourist buses parked. So we simply skipped lunch and continued our drive as we weren’t that hungry.

NH 32: The East Coast Road

From Chidambaram, we joined the famous NH 32, aka the East Coast Road. Along the way to Chennai, we observed ongoing road widening and four-laning work. Although the majority of the roads remained single carriageway, the surface was well-maintained.

Pitstop:- Pondy

As we passed through Pondicherry, we decided to refuel since petrol prices are slightly cheaper there compared to Chennai. I already filled up before starting my journey, so I only needed about 28 liters at the IndianOil station. Filled at IndianOil, the Petrol station has decent drive through and the staff were courteous. The XP 95 was ₹6 cheaper than in Chennai, saving me around ₹180!

The Last Mile of the Day:- Auroville

We arrived in Auroville around 4:30 PM at our Airbnb- The Blissful stay, a brand-new service apartment. Each room was carefully themed, with great attention to detail in the décor.

One very important thing to note is. The Blissful stay is accessible only via very narrow roads, where only one car can pass at a time. Our car literally had to scrape the bushes on both sides to maneuver some turns.

Apologies for not capturing a pic of the fuel usage; we managed to achieve around 17 kmplon this stretch.

Important Lesson Learned

A key takeaway from this trip: always ensure the dashcam is securely connected to the power port. In our case, I had plugged it into the rear USB-C port, and while retrieving some items from the back seat, we accidentally knocked out the connector (USB A to USB C). As a result, for the final leg of our journey from Auroville to Chennai, we were left without dashcam support.

Thankfully, nothing went wrong. However, this experience served as a reminder to double-check and triple-check that the dashcam remains properly connected at all times, as it's a crucial tool for documenting any unforeseen incidents on the road.

Day 2 Stay: A Blend of Fantasy and Tech: Staying at the Arabian Nights-Themed Airbnb

We chose the Arabian-themed room, fittingly called Arabian Nights
This brand-new service apartment block was exceptionally well-maintained, with a perfect blend of modern technology and themed decor. The room was packed with IoT devices, all connected via https://www.buildtrack.in/, giving us remote control over almost everything—fans, curtains, lights. Even the switches were smart, with touch-based controls. There was also a massive 4K TV with superb picture quality and most importantly, This place has good parking.

One small drawback was the backlit smart switches, which couldn’t be turned off. So, if you’re sensitive to light when sleeping, the room may not get as dark as you’d like

Some Interesting decor along the stairs

The Arabian themed stay

We spent the evening relaxing before heading out for dinner to Roma Italian Cuisine, but quickly realized that this part of Auroville isn't built to handle big cars or traffic. Most restaurants only offer on-street parking, which makes it tricky to find a safe spot. Having this strong love affair with my cars, I couldn’t fully relax during the meal, constantly worrying about the car outside. One honk in the distance was enough to have me peeking out like a meerkat!
We eventually packed up our remaining food, returned to the Airbnb, and enjoyed the rest of our meal in peace, watching our favorite Grand Tour Q&A videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gZ-...dWVzdGlvbnM%3D.

The next morning, we spent some time lounging around in our Arabian-themed room, casually watching random shows on the fantastic 4K TV. It was a laid-back start to the day, followed by an early lunch at County Club Cafe, a great spot not far from our Airbnb. After a good meal, we began our return drive back home, feeling refreshed and ready for the journey ahead.

Day 3- Auroville to Chennai:-

Route Overview:

For our drive back home, we had a couple of options and we chose the tried and tested ECR route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MphgLcscuMCExdd8A

ECR – The Drive Back Home:

As we made our way along the East Coast Road (ECR), we noticed the ongoing expansion work—progressing steadily in some sections and at a snail's pace in others. However, the road itself was smooth overall, making for an enjoyable drive back home.

Since I was stupid enough to not check the dash cam power cable, and considering this route is frequented by many, I’ll graciously skip posting any pictures of this scenic and amazing route.

On this leg of our journey we got a healthy fuel economy of around 17 kmpl! Which is properly respectable for a 150 PS engine I would say.

The Virtus: A True Driving Delight

Now, let’s delve into the star of our journey—our cherished Virtus. This car is truly a joy to drive. Once we hit the highway, it settles in beautifully, creating a cocoon of comfort for everyone on board.

A Fascinating Duality

Driving the Virtus offers a captivating duality. When cruising in 6th gear at around 1700-2000 rpm, it glides effortlessly. At highway speeds, the suspension is expertly tuned to smooth out most bumps while maintaining exceptional body control and stability. I found the suspension impressively calibrated, Stiff yet supple enough to not make the ride uncomfortable - effectively ironing out imperfections in the road while still providing the necessary stability and control. It masks speed really well, allowing for a serene driving experience.
However, when that inner 16-year-old calls for excitement, the car is ready to respond. Drop a couple of gears, rev it high, and this one-ton marvel lunges forward with an exhilarating burst, serenading you with a delightful engine note. The pull is undeniably addictive, and the steering feedback inspires confidence, allowing you to unleash the full potential of this engine and chassis combination.

Steering Calibration - Perfect Balance of Comfort and Feedback

Having Swift as my other car and having owned Polo,Gen 1 Figo, I can confidently say that the EPS in the Virtus strikes the perfect balance between comfort and feedback. You won’t feel fatigued after long drives, yet it provides the assurance needed to tackle corners effortlessly. Although at times you do miss the raw and direct feel of Figo’s HPS, I think this strikes the right balance between feedback and comfort.

The Braking - Adapting to the Experience

One notable aspect of the braking system is its non-linear response, which can take some getting used to. While the brakes are strong and offer excellent stopping power, the initial pedal travel can feel mild, making it seem like there's little braking force applied. However, as you press further, the bite becomes much stronger and more aggressive. During that initial travel, you might find yourself slowing down gradually, but once you push past it, the braking response sharpens considerably.

Celebrating the Joy of Driving

When you find that perfect set of twists and bends, pushing the engine just enough lets it sing in all its glory. It's genuinely fun within legal limits—that’s the beauty of having a manual transmission! Holding onto a gear and feeling that control in your hands as you navigate the curves is pure driving joy.
To be honest, the car felt surprisingly agile for its size. With excellent visibility all around and a relatively heavy clutch with long travel, the tuning was spot on. We could modulate the clutch with precision, giving us absolute control over how quickly the car crept—very handy for navigating tight turns or tackling steep inclines.

Climate Control Observations

On the final leg of our journey - Auroville to Chennai, we noted that the AC isn't a chiller; it adequately cools the cabin for comfort but doesn't deliver intense cooling. Though, the AC tuning is stock, and I haven't adjusted the characteristic curve or any adaptations; perhaps I should consider that in the future.

Virtus: Enjoyment Without Breaking the Bank

I came across reviews of the VW Jetta in the US market, where the standard trims feature a 1.5 TSI engine (EVO 2), while the sport trim or GLI has a 2.0-liter TSI motor. Most reviews emphasize the 1.5 TSI's frugality, which led me to ponder the differences in driving experiences and expectations between first-world and third-world contexts. However, I soon realized I had been mistaken. When driven thoughtfully with moderate throttle inputs, this engine can be quite economical.

We also discovered how sensitive TSI engines are to throttle inputs. Being a stratified injection setup, the ECU is programmed to enrich the mixture when necessary to prevent knocking. This sensitivity translates to the car's performance being affected by driving patterns and fuel quality.

Overall, I am quite impressed and happy with the way the car performed the whole way. Cannot wait to take it for another drive. Until the next ride

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

High speed stability of the Virtus is the highlight and inspires confidence similar to how our beloved Polo used to.

BHPian tsi_niks1989 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

2 years, 24000 km Update:

The GT celebrated its 2nd birthday on 9th Sep, 2024 with more than 24000 memorable KMs. Ownership has been uneventful with only 1 adhoc visit to the service center. Before I brief on the 2nd year service, let me go back to August this year when we had a Pune-Goa trip planned.

The Adhoc Visit:

I had got puddle lamps installed from the authorized dealership in May. During the installation the rubber pad near the front door which covers the wiring was not attached properly by the service engineer. One week before our Goa trip, while returning from office the front door lock mechanism started auto switching modes (lock/unlock continuously without any input). I called the service advisor who has been taking all my earlier service/accessories request and I was asked to bring the vehicle next day. Next day 9:30 am I reached BU Bhandari, Hadapsar and as per the process a job card was opened for troubleshooting. After approx. 1 hour, I was told the rubber pad is loose and has resulted in short circuit since water would have gone. They asked to drop the vehicle as the part was not available and it would come in two days. No aftermarket fitment has been done till date and I was not in the mood to pay for the improper fitting done by them for puddle lamps. They mentioned this cannot be covered under warranty citing various reasons to which I politely argued. After few calls with the senior service advisors, CRM and manager they agreed to pay for the part which was around 3900 INR. I got the car back 2 days before the trip and I would thank BU Bhandari, Hadapsar VW service team for this. Issue was resolved in couple of days and the car was back to normal.

Coming back to the car, I would say it has been a joyful experience owing this despite the shortcomings on the interior quality. The pros have a significant weightage over the cons. Total service center visits till date have been 5 (Swagat service, 7500KMs free inspection, 1st year annual service, 1 Adhoc and 2nd year annual service). I had purchased the Service pack at 27000 INR for 4 years and have not paid anything till date for servicing. The 2nd year service experience was great, no addons were pushed, battery is good and the brake pads/discs were not required to be changed as per the service advisor. I was surprised as many folks have reported pads wearing out in less than 15k KMs itself. Out of curiosity I enquired my advisor, what would be the 2nd service amount had I not bought the SVP, he gave an invoice without GST for 9585 INR. With SVP I am paying 6750 INR per year for servicing the 1.5 TSI, which is very reasonable.

The Good:

• Performance: Under 20L today, 1.5 TSI with DSG is the perfect engine gearbox combo if one drives majorly on highways. The rigid MQB A0 IN platform adds to this, helping the driver remain connected to the car mechanically(with a big fat smile ) and not remotely. Steering is precise and braking is good given the drum setup at the rear.
• Comfort: Feedback from people using the rear seats has been positive till they are two in number, the car is butter smooth on highways but struggles on bad roads. Our Skoda Kushaq's suspension seems to tackle bad roads better than the GT. High speed stability is the highlight and inspires confidence similar to how our beloved Polo used to.
• Efficiency: It can be a mile muncher or a fuel guzzler based on your driving. We have been getting 18+ consistently on straight highways and even 20-22 for Pune-Mumbai drives. Recently we got a return trip mileage of 16.5 kmpl with 5 people onboard and boot fully loaded for Pune-South Goa-North Goa-Pune, which has lot of ghat sections and poor-quality roads. City mileage has been 9-10 max given the mess, traffic in Pune has become .
• Practicality: Another advantage of a sedan apart from better performance is the practicality. Boot space is huge enough, it took 2 medium suitcases, 2 cabin luggage and 2 backpacks easily in our recent trip with space left to keep couple of more backpacks. Higher ground clearance is helpful and till date it has touched couple of extra-large speed breakers when the rear seats were occupied.

Could have been better:

• Interior quality: Car does not rattle but compared to the competitors, the interior quality levels are either on par or down which was not the case with the PQ25 platform cars. VW as per the premium charged should have used better grade of plastics.
• Camera: It is average at best, does the job. Hopefully they will fix this in the facelift.
• Ambient Light setup: Not sure who passed this design but if a Taigun gets an ambient light throughout the dashboard why does a Virtus gets only for co-passenger area and not full.
• AC: I don’t have issues with the AC performance but this could be due to the usage restricted to Pune being pleasant most of the time. AC performance is moderate and it takes more time and lesser temperatures to reach cooling levels of its competitors.

It is good to see Virtus leading the sedan segment in whatsoever ways it is able to. Kudos to the group for investing in a dying segment and bringing the sedans for few of us who still prefer this body style over the pseudo SUVs available. Hope the upcoming facelifts next year will continue to keep this segment alive and help VAG sustain numbers. Adding few pics from the service, the part failure, Goa and Mahabaleshwar trips.

Happy Motoring!

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Took the delivery of the vehicle in August, I got a great deal from my local dealer up here in North.

BHPian Snowcat recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Good morning everyone,

It's my first post here on Team-BHP and I would like to inform that I am also a proud owner of a white Virtus GT DSG.

Took the delivery of the vehicle in August, I got a great deal from my local dealer up here in North. I had to bid adieu to my trusty diesel ciaz which was nearing it's faux end. (thanks Green tribunal)

The good bits so far:

* Drives like a dream with seamless gear changes. My Last ride being a manual, it is definitely night and day. The faster it goes over our glamorous roads(wink wink), the better the ride gets.
* Massive upgrade in terms of build quality from Ciaz. Thankfully no rattling noises yet. Cabin is pretty silent and with music switched ON you get cut off from the daily hustle bustle.
* Electric seats are great, changing seat position while driving is just so much more safe and convenient now. Bolstering is pretty good too.
* Headturner, I am always looking back to admire whenever I leave it in the parking lot.
• Infotainment system is pretty smooth, and the display is crisp and UI is pretty easy to understand.

The not so good bits now:

• I couldn't believe that the reverse camera is same as my 9 year old ciaz.
• No sunglass holder. Have to carry a case now to keep it in the glove box.
• High beam is just average, might be alright in darker conditions, but doesnt just light up the road like I hoped it would. I wish a separate high beam projector should have been provided instead of the forward turn signal light.

Went for the partial accessory kit, didn't opt for the rubber mat. Upgraded the horn a few days after delivery, 7D mat from the nearby accessory shop, boot mat from amazon and it definitely looks amazing.

Contemplating now to get active TPMS and a forward facing dashcam atleast.

Any suggestions would be appreciated on the above.

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The Virtus GT Line is offered with a 1.0L TSI paired with 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT, while the GT Plus Sport comes with a 1.5L TSI paired with a 7-speed DSG.

Volkswagen has launched two new variants of the Virtus: GT Line and GT Plus Sport, priced at Rs 14.07 lakh and Rs 17.84 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively.

The Virtus GT Line offers features such as a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, an electric sunroof, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps.

On the outside, the GT Line variant gets smoked LED headlamps with LED DRLs, a blackened front grille and 16-inch Razor black alloy wheels. The car also features black ORVMs and a Glossy Black boot lid spoiler.

The Virtus GT Plus Sport variant comes with an aero kit with a blackened front grille, smoked LED headlamps, dual-tone roof and 16-inch Razor black alloy wheels. It has a black interior with red stitching, Glossy black dashboard trim, red ambient lighting and aluminium pedals.

The Virtus GT Line is powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The GT Plus Sport trim packs a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

I also test-drove the Mahindra Scorpio N whose high seating position gave me the same towering feeling that I get when I drive my friend's BMW X5.

BHPian VtechSupreme recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The 25-year-old:

I have been waiting to write this post since the start of the year and started planning the purchase of my car. To provide some context about me, I am a 25-year-old guy from Jaipur. I grew up breathing cars. When I was 15, my friend @cg99 and I spent hours every day configuring cars online and making lists of the 5 cars we would want in our garage. While this is my second car, this is the first time I am buying a new car. I bought my first car in the US when I was studying/working there. It was a used 2016 Honda Accord, it served me brilliantly and I loved that car with all my heart, but I knew I was gonna keep it for less than 2 years when I bought it.

So this is the first time I had to make a well-thought-out purchase. Which brings us to 2024.

The Search:

It started in 2024 February when I had stopped moving around for work and had a pretty stable career. My 2015 Grand i10 had started to show its age and it had become pretty frustrating to drive a manual in the increasing traffic. I started my search with 2 choices, the Kia Seltos and the Scorpio N. I figured that since my last car was a sedan, an SUV would be a nice change. I test drove both vehicles and ended up booking the Seltos GTX+ DCT. The Scorpio N was more fun and the high seating position gave me the same towering feeling I get when I drive @cg99 BMW X5, but in the end, the refinement, practicality and mileage won and Seltos came out as the winner.

The New Contender:

I was all set to go through with the Seltos, my friend saw that I wasn't excited about the car the same way I was about the Accord. He suggested I take a test drive of the Virtus GT. At first, I had counterarguments, but he quickly convinced me that it was the perfect car for me in every way. I took a test drive and instantly remembered why I love sedans in the first place. Even with the high ground clearance, the center of mass feels low. The car feels planted, the steering takes you where you want to go, the suspension is the right amount of stiff, and most importantly the motor is so so refined. I didn't want the test drive to end.

In retrospect, the Seltos lacked any real driving feel, the steering felt too augmented, the engine was laggy, and the suspension tuning was a bit off.

The Confusion:

There was still the practicality debate in my head about the features and creature comforts so to solve this dilemma, we made an Excel sheet with weighted points of categories for both cars.

As you can see Virtus came out on top because no matter how much I try to convince myself that I am more sensible now, I will always value driving pleasure the most.

The Epiphany:

So then I booked the Virtus GT. I was set to take delivery of the car in April. However, I got some epiphany one day that I should be more financially responsible and make a larger down payment so I am tied up in fewer EMIs for a depreciating asset. I cancelled the booking. Set the Virtus GT as my goal and got to work. I saved diligently, worked harder and managed to reach the target I had set for my down payment by the end of July. In the middle, there were a bunch of cars that caught my eye such as a 2019 Octavia 1.8 TSI L&K and my friend's 2019 Jaguar XF Premium 25t that had clocked only 16,000 kms and looked like it just came out of the showroom. However, I decided against taking the uncertainty with the cost of repairs of the DQ200 and Jaguar as a whole and acted like a sensible young man and stuck to the Virtus.

The Transaction:

I watched Pranay Kapoor’s videos and realised that monsoons are the best time to purchase a car and that I should be looking at the NH1 belt for the best deals. I started calling all dealerships between Delhi to Ludhiana and had them compete against each other. I wanted to get insurance and accessories on my own, so I only had them offer their best discount on the ex-showroom price of the car. I managed to get a final offer of 1.4 lakhs off the ex-showroom. Then I finally spoke to GroupWe and they managed to get me a discount of 1.5L off Ex showroom from VW Karnal. I made the booking with GroupWe and I will give them props for their service, they acted professionally and made the whole process smooth for me from start to finish. I scheduled a PDI with a third party as I couldn’t make the drive to Karnal just for that. I was satisfied with the results of the PDI and confirmed delivery on 30th August. The final breakup of what I am paying for the car is as follows:

• Ex-Showroom: 19,14,900
• Insurance: 27,000 (Zero Dep, Bumper2Bumper, Consumables, Engine Protect, RSA, Key Claim, RTI)
• Temp Registration:3,000
• TCS: 17,649
• Fast Tag: 500
• Registration: 220,338
• Discount: 1,50,000
• Total OTR: 20,33,387

The Day:

Delivery was smooth. I reached the showroom by train with my family. The VW staff were very courteous and handled the paperwork and other processes smoothly. It hadn’t settled in with me that I was buying my first new car so I was still taking it all of it in. Then finally it was time for the big reveal.

Meet Luna:

She is absolutely beautiful! I didn’t like the car in pictures when it first came out. I thought the wheel arches were weird and some other pet peeves, but when I saw my own in person, I knew I would keep her like my most treasured possession.

After taking delivery, I filled her up with some XP95 and set out for a road trip to Chandigarh with my family. We stopped at a restaurant and while my parents had gone inside I was standing at the door of the restaurant staring at my car in the rain, which confirmed that I had made the right purchase. I would have never felt like that with a Seltos and I have @cg99 to thank for it.

The trip was fun, me my brother and my father all got to appreciate the driving feel of the car over the 3 days. My mother wasn’t too happy with the backseat though.

The name Luna was courtesy of my girlfriend, and I agree with her that she looks like Luna. It was also a very rewarding feeling to take my girlfriend for a drive in this car as when we first met, most of our memories were taking trips or driving around Pennsylvania in my Accord. So this car took us back in time a little bit.

Adorning Luna:

It’s been 2 weeks and 2,000 kms since I got her. Since then, I had made some tasteful additions to the car. I got mudflaps and some anti-fog ORVM films fitted. I was out searching for the best floor mats. I found the fit for GFX to be good but the finish wasn’t up to the mark. I liked Pharoah but the procurement time was coming out to be 2 weeks, so I ended up going with Elite, which according to the dealer was a little more Premium than Pharoah and more comparable to Kagu, I think it's about the same as Pharaoh. The mats costed me Rs. 7500 after discount. I am satisfied with the fit and finish of these mats.

My mother got me a new car perfume and it is honestly the best smelling car perfume I have ever had. Looks fancy too, and fits in the cup holder perfectly.

Lastly, I put this little Maneki Neko (Japanese good luck cat) on my dash that my friend got for me when she visited Tokyo.

Future additions in the pipeline are a dashcam, ceramic coat and dual horns (trying to figure out whether to get the Skoda ones as they are cheaper or the HITGT from the Vento).

I have also ordered a bunch of car cleaning stuff like Jopasu duster, Proklear, Microfiber towels, glass cleaner etc.

Review:

I will not keep this long as this thread is filled with reviews but I’ll give my 2 cents on things I personally like or dislike.

Pros:

• Amazing body control.
• While the car is planted, it still gives you the sense of speed at 60-80 that you don’t get in something like a 330i or 530i. @cg99 and I constantly complain about how his X5 doesn’t feel like it’s going fast even if we’re driving at 100.
• Seats are super comfortable, I went on a 1000km/10hr drive the day after getting the car and at no point did I feel fatigued.
• The car is a stunner.
• Sound system is great.
• The car has every feature that I actually use, I don’t feel the need for any more.
• Engine is snappy, power delivery curve is according to my preference and the DSG shifts like butter.
• Boot space is more than I’ll ever need.

Cons:

• Material quality could be better.
• Backseats are uncomfortable.
• There’s a gap between the AC panel and the dashboard which has been annoying me.
• One-touch window sometimes works fine sometimes it doesn’t, it should’ve also been offered for all windows like every VW before this.
• Auto-Start stop can be annoying sometimes, turns car off before it comes to a stop.
• 1-2 switching is jerky in stop-and-go traffic.
• I don’t know if it’s just my car but there’s a lot of cabin noise and vibration when the car goes over water, as if the water is hitting a thin sheet of metal.
• AC could be better.

What I have been following:

• Shift into Neutral at red lights when start-stop is not working.
• Shift into Manual during bumper-to-bumper traffic.
• No racing.
• Drove at varying RPMs under 3000 during the break-in period of 1600 kms.

Questions for TBHPians

• There’s a faint vibration, almost like a grinding feeling at 1700-1800 rpm, can you guys please confirm if this is normal?
• The compressor is quite loud when you start the car, please also confirm if this is normal.

Concluding thoughts:

I don't lose a single night's sleep thinking about whether I should have waited for the facelift or if I should have bought another car. I love this car and will drive it happily every day. I look forward to going to work because I get to drive it for 30 mins and I would choose this over driving anybody else's car unless that anybody has an M340i or a 911.

Thank you all for reading!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I also own the Skoda Kushaq 1.0L AT and I feel that the 2.0 cars are only 75% of what the previous models used to be, say, like the VW Polo GT in terms of build quality.

BHPian thealtoman recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

First-year service update of my Virtus GT 1.5 DSG

• KM covered - 8100
• Months of ownership - 13
• Status - stock
• Upgraded from - Polo GT 1.2 TSI

Pros

• A GT is a GT - you are instantly noticed in the crowd. It is also a rare find in the part of Kerala that I am in.
• Strong engine and equally potent gearbox combination
• Mature ride and handling - no loose ends
• Ground clearance - I've never had to slow down much for a speed breaker or undulations on the roads and be worried about the bumpers scrapping or about the low to medium-depth puddles of water during this year's rather bad monsoons (mostly with a car full of passengers)
• Great driving position - you are instantly comfortable with some minor adjustments of the steering wheel and seats.
• Massive boot - can swallow the luggage of a family's vacation - remote opening of the boot is a boon (not electric, as you all would know)
• Headlights have a good throw

Cons

• DSG gets confused between D1>D2 and back
• Learning Python on the go with the AC - I'm sure you guys know what it is - it is also not effective - rear passengers always complain that it is hot back there
• Driver-side power window rollbacks - still not reflecting on VW's campaign to get a solid fix
• Some squeaks from the dashboard
• A few features like front parking sensors could have been beneficial
• Seat cooling is not that effective on a hot day
• Kind of worried about the LED DRL's fading - any thoughts on this team?

Accessories planned

• Sun film - finally and thank you Kerala High Court
• Better wipers - frameless ones maybe?

Few closing remarks

• Owning the 1.0L Kushaq AT and the Virtus 1.5 GT at the same time, I can pretty much say that the 2.0 cars are, at best, only 75% of what the previous models used to be, say, like the Polo GT in terms of build quality. It might be a perceived quality difference, but I certainly feel so.
• Cost-cutting is evident, and there is a glaring lack of features.
• The long 7-year warranty period is certainly assuring.

My 2 cents for the folks considering the Virtus - go for it if you are looking for a car that is fun to drive with essential features. Be it the 1.0L or the 1.5L TSI in manual or automatic guise, fun is assured. If features are at the top of your mind, these beauties are not for you.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

For 2-3 days after the service, I noticed that the car was returning a much lower fuel efficiency.

BHPian sizz28 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My Virtus GT Plus completed 1 year this month and I got the 1 year/15k service done at the VW Hosur Road (Elite Motors) service centre.

Overall it was a good experience - I reached there at 9:15am and had to wait for around 10-15 minutes for an advisor to be free. There weren't any issues as such that I was facing so the inspection was very quick. He checked the odo, engine bay and a survey of the vehicle condition from outside to see any scratches etc.

He suggested that as part of the 1yr service they will change the engine oil, brake oil/cleaner, change the filters and check the type alignment and balancing in addition to whatever standard inspection they do. I said no for tyre balancing/alignment as my car is very less driven (only 6k in 1 year) and haven't experienced any issues wrt balancing/alignment yet, moreover, I know they rip off customers by charging 1.5x to 2x for such services. I had one complaint that was of driver window one touch down/up not working every time.

The initial estimate he gave was around 7k. I left the service center by 9:50am with an ETA of completing the service and being ready to pick up on the same day before 6pm.

I got 2 calls from the advisor during the service - one was to tell me that he had updated some software for the window motor setup and the 2nd was to push me to get the wheel alignment/balancing done. In the 2nd call, the SA said that he test drove and felt the steering to be tight so I should get the alignment/balancing checked. I told him no firmly this time again.

Then I got a call that the car will be ready to pick up by 4:30pm. So I reached there by 4:45pm and the car was ready. I got the bill from the SA which was for INR 5460.

A couple of surprises for the charges were that they charged some 200 odd rupees for the software update and some random charges for disposable seat covers, rubber & plastic care which were a total of around INR 350. I didn't argue about these apart from asking for clarification once and paid the bill and was on my way.

The main components in the bill breakup were - engine oil (4.7L worth INR 3150), Break cleaner (INR 599), AC Filter (INR 470), OIL Filter & Plug (INR 400) and GST of INR 800.

Post service I have noticed much lower FE for the first 2-3 days where when driving at 40-50 kmph on empty roads (e.g. the intermediate ring road etc) the FE was still 7kmpl or lower. I haven't taken the car for a long drive since then, so will observe and see how it goes.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A few more owners of the VW Virtus and Taigun, Skoda Slavia and Kushaq have suffered rat bites. I wonder if there is something specific under the hood of these cars that attracts the rats.

BHPian Bigzero recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Quick update

Did the 1st year servicing last week of my GT Plus manual, 11500 Km done. No issues with the car, runs beautifully.

Did two Pune-Kerala runs last year, had a rat bite that screwed up the electricals (nice of VW Service to repair it free of cost), had a front glass replacement (this was a bit of an unpleasant surprise - had closed the wiper blade - it was kept up by the guy who cleans the car) a bit casually, not realizing that the wiper had come off its frame at one end, and the metal bit landed hard against the front glass, cracking it. Spent around 18K (happened a few months back) repairing it. Didn't claim insurance. Other than these two incidents, no issues at all with the car.

They said they did an ECU software update (not 100% sure what, but apparently part of the regular 1-year service list). Not sure if it's related, but the low rpm pick-up seems to have smoothened out a bit after the services (i.e. slightly easier to drive in the city ). It's a manual btw.

Ah yes, forgot - the "T" of the GT in the front grill had disappeared a few months back, and I wasn't very sure about how it happened (did someone take it off?). I found another Virtus GT with the exact same issue at the service center, and caught up with him. His theory is that it might have come off during washing/wiping the car with aggressive use of the cloth in the area to wipe. I have left it like that for now, as the service center didn't have the letter with them at the time (they indicated that it costs around 1000 Rs. I can run with the G for now I guess. Found some options on Amazon, not sure if they are an exact match.

Postscript

I understand that a few more owners of Virtus/Taigun/Slavia/Kushaq had suffered rat bites. At least 2-3 more cases in TBHP. Wonder if there is something specific to these cars under the hood that attracts the rats?

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Images like these prove that India does have a big untapped market for sedans. I just pray that the Virtus doesn’t follow the same fate as the Polo and Vento.

BHPian raycers_honda recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Warning: The following set of images below may make you want to do two things: buy a Volkswagen Virtus or make you fall in love with sedans all over again.

These are photographs taken from the ever-growing Virtus community in Delhi. Sent by a friend who is a non-member but an eager and dedicated car enthusiast.

Hope the CEO of VW sees this post and realises there is a big market for their “over-engineered” cars. Rather than blame the market, they should take action and frequently update the line up.

Images like these below prove that India does have a big untapped market for sedans. Specially the world over, not just in India, at a time when everyone loves SUVs the craze for sedans is actually starting to pick up. I just pray that the Virtus doesn’t follow the same fate as the Polo and Vento which for on sale for almost a decade with almost zero updates.

Anyway, enjoy the images below. All photo credits to Mr Varun and his friends.

Sincerely thank him for sharing these with me and the community of Team-bhp.

It’s all about learning, discussing and sharing things about cars. With that comes the great joy of making new friends who have one thing in common, love for their beloved Virtus.

The Delhi Virtus group is big, these are just a handful of enthusiasts.

The joy of waking up on an early Sunday morning is a pleasure when car meets are done right.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Volkswagen is now offering 6 airbags as standard across all the variants of the car but there are a few major feature differences between these 2 variants.

BHPian signal_beat16 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Is it worth paying 3 lakhs extra for the GT Plus variant vs the GT variant? It now comes with 6 airbags as standard for all variants. The major feature differences are:

• Speakers with woofer and amplifier
•  Ventilated seats
•  Full LED vs LED (not sure what the difference is here)
•  Sunroof
•  Alloy wheels painted black
•  Digital cockpit vs Analog

Here's what BHPian silver_bullet24 had to say about the matter:

I have the Virtus GT Plus and my feedback is as under:

• The Speakers with Woofer and Amp definitely provide a much better sound.
• Ventilated seats: OK. Provide decent comfort. Not very effective in the summers though.
• Sunroof: Not useful in the summers. Panoramic sunroof as available in C-SUVs is better esp. for rear passengers. But safety is a concern.
• Digital cockpit: Looks smart and provides a lot of customization.

The following is also available in GT PLUS:

• Electric seats - a MUST at that price point
• Footwell illumination - barely noticeable - poor illumination

Add-on accessories:

• VW Puddle-lamps: Looks smart
• 360-degree camera: Costs around 65K. But have yet to check how good the installation is since it is not factory-fitted, but installed by the dealer.

I recommend not to go for the DEALER MUST-HAVE accessories. They are totally useless - except for the mud flaps. Better to purchase individual accessories. The 7D Floor mat looks great.

Happy buying and safe travels.

Here's what BHPian shiv4747 had to say about the matter:

I have a GT model, but it doesn't come with a woofer and amp. I think it would be worth getting those added.

The ventilated seats are a great feature. It's effective if you park in the shade or a covered parking area, rather than parking directly in the sun.

I love using the sunroof, especially during cloudy and rainy weather. It's an amazing experience, especially when driving in the hills.

The alloy wheels give the car a distinctive look compared to other models, but I might consider changing them after a couple of years.

Even though I'm old school, I wasn't initially interested in the digital cockpit. However, it does make a difference, and that's one of the reasons we chose this variant. It may take some time to get used to, and it can be a bit distracting while driving.

Hope it helps. Thanks!

Here's what BHPian naru80 had to say about the matter:

Virtus 1.5 buyers are enthusiasts. They don't mind paying extra for that driving pleasure. VW milks it to the hilt with the GT Plus variant.

If you want the thrills on a budget go for GT. VW doesn't market it, nor do the salesmen push it because the margins are so much more on the Plus.

Just FYI: GT Plus had cash discounts (ex-insurance) of 95k till last month. These will go up as the update comes nearer. There are none on the GT.

So the effective gap is just 2 lakh, which is not so bad IMHO.

It is easily the best thing on wheels for under 21L.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.