Old vs New: VW Polo GTI vs VW Virtus GT

The Volkswagen Polo GTI and the Volkswagen Virtus GT are two performance-oriented models from the German automaker that cater to driving enthusiasts. While the Polo GTI was a performance hatchback during its short stay in the Indian car market, the Virtus GT represents the modern iteration of Volkswagen's performance philosophy in a sedan form. Here, we compare these two cars across various parameters, including pricing, engine specifications, technology, features, and other factors.

Pricing

The Volkswagen Polo GTI was introduced in India as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) in limited numbers. Initially priced at Rs 25.99 lakh, the price dropped to Rs 25.18 lakh post-GST and later to Rs 19.99 lakh due to discounts from certain dealerships. In contrast, the Volkswagen Virtus GT, which is locally assembled, comes at a starting price of Rs 16.62 lakh.

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is powered by a robust 1.8 L TSI petrol engine that churns out 189.3 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. This powertrain was coupled with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, Volkswagen claims that the Polo GTI's top speed is 235 kmph and accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.2 seconds.

In comparison, the Volkswagen Virtus GT features a 1.5 L TSI EVO petrol engine producing 148 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. Although it shares the same 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, the Virtus GT's top speed is approximately 200 kmph, with a 0-100 kmph sprint time of around 8.5 seconds company claims.

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The Polo GTI, a performance-focused hatchback, includes a 6.5 inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional highlights include dual exhaust tips and a sport suspension with two settings; Comfort and Sport enhancing its sporty appeal.

On the other hand, the Virtus GT, a contemporary performance sedan, offers a more advanced technology suite. It features a larger 10 inch touchscreen infotainment system, also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it goes a step further with connected car technology. Safety remains paramount with six airbags, ABS, ESC, a rearview camera, and hill-hold control. The Virtus GT also includes modern conveniences such as LED headlamps, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, wireless charging, and a digital cockpit instrument cluster

The Polo GTI, with its compact dimensions and powerful engine, is designed for agile and spirited driving. It’s a car that sits comfortably around twisty roads and tight corners, providing an exhilarating driving experience.

The Virtus GT, on the other hand, balances performance with comfort. It’s geared towards providing a refined driving experience with enough power to make highway driving enjoyable, but it doesn’t quite match the raw performance and agility of the Polo GTI.