Volkswagen has decided to bet on a segment that seemed to fade in North America in the face of the fury of SUVs: that of subcompact sedans. The German manufacturer will expand, from one to three, its offer of versions of its Virtus model in an attempt to satisfy those who prefer to drive closer to the ground and have good trunk space.
The expansion of the Virtus versions offer coincides with the end of the marketing of Vento, the German brand’s best-selling subcompact sedan during 2021, but which will no longer be renewed by the German manufacturer.
Price of the Volkswagen Virtus 2023
The gap left by Vento will seek to be filled with the new versions of Virtus. While the discontinued model was available below 300,000 pesos, the entry version of Virtus starts at 324,990 pesos with a five-speed manual transmission, while the version with a Tiptronic 6 automatic transmission arrives at 379,990 pesos.
The intermediate Comfortline version can be found from 359,990 pesos, while the Highline will be priced at 419,990 pesos.
Alfonso Chiquini, Director of Marketing at Volkswagen, highlights that the updated prices of the Virtus versions are within the ranges of the segment, which is already between 300,000 and 400,000 pesos, in such a way that “here the important thing is where you want to play ”, he adds.
While other brands are focused on gaining more market share through basic versions, Volkswagen will bet on the middle and upper part of the segment with equipped and profitable versions.
The 1.0 turbo engine arrives
The German automaker will take advantage of the Virtus upgrade to add the 114-horsepower 1.0-liter TSI turbocharged engine to the offering. This new engine, available on other models such as the Nivus and T-Cross, will be mated to a six-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Both the Trendline and Comfortline versions will be offered with an MSI 1.6-liter engine with 110 horsepower , also integrating a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Among the attributes most highlighted by managers is the trunk capacity of 521 liters, one of the largest in the segment. “The trunk is something very important, carrying your cargo in a space other than the passenger compartment gives a perception of more security,” said González.
It also highlights the 10-inch screen and the six airbags.
“Definitely the segment of sedans, which today represents one of every three cars sold in Mexico, is super important, it is a third of the entire market… It is not going against the current, it is the continuation of one of the most popular body types. preferred in the market”, said González.
