Skip to main content

Volkswagen Tries out the Semi-Spicy GTS Trim in Sao Paolo

Following up on the weird neatness of the Tarok, Volkswagen released another South American concept yesterday: the Virtus GTS.

Trading on some of the GTI’s design language the little sedan may look like something to envy Brazil for but worry not, because it’s a lot like that bowl of soup you just microwaved: hot on the outside, cold on the inside.

The Virtus is, essentially, South America’s Polo, but they get a sedan version. As a result of that lineage–not to mention the Polo GTI’s red grille stripe and tartan seats–and a name straight out of the Porsche lineup, you’d expect the Virtus to be pretty good. But alas…

Unlike the Polo GTI, which gets a 2.0-liter engine that makes 200 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque—not bad for a car its size—the Virtus GTS only gets the 1.5-liter unit, which only makes 150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and only sends that power through an automatic transmission with a number gears that I frankly to care to learn.

It seems, therefore, that this is not unlike North America’s R-Line trim, using the trappings of a performance model to sell a deeply normal model.

The trim, though, does come with everything. No options will be offered, so you get a digital dash, 8-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, light sensors and all for the base price. Which is nice.

The post Volkswagen Tries out the Semi-Spicy GTS Trim in Sao Paolo appeared first on VWVortex.



from VWVortex https://ift.tt/2F6SCAN
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Saying Goodbye to the CC V6

For all its size and its global reach, Volkswagen is still, in many ways, a deeply human company. There was, for instance, the Bugatti Veyron an ego project if ever there was one. Then the purchase of Ducati, a move most called folly. And then there was the Phaeton, the Volkswagen that most folks can’t afford. Not only were these moves all strange, I’m sure that they made VW’s accountants furious. None of them made good business sense, but they were all deeply interesting and they all are evidence of the heart that beats at the center of VW. Among these follies is the CC, a car that everyone agrees is rakishly handsome, but that no one really wanted to buy. The car couldn’t last, but the world is brighter for its having been in it. With the approach debut of the Arteon, it seems like a good time to look back on its sadly departing predecessor. The version I drove, because I live in Canada, is a V6 Wolfsburg Edition, which apparently isn’t available in the States. Nor is the V6, not as...

WRC: Volkswagen Motorsport Still Lead the Way Despite Luckless Rally Argentina

Volkswagen’s winning run ends after seven victories and 20 podiums in a row Power Stage victory: “El Cóndor” goes to Sébastien Ogier Eight of twelve stage wins – Polo R WRC sets the pace at the Rally Argentina Volkswagen Motorsport suffered a disappointing result at the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), but still goes into the coming rally in Portugal leading the Manufacturer, Driver and Co-Driver standings in the World Championship. The toughest rally of the year saw a podium bereft of a Volkswagen driver for the first time since the Rally Australia in 2013. However, the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer can look back proudly on a remarkable run of success that included 20 podiums and seven victories in a row. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) did manage to win the Power Stage on the final day to pick up three valuable points towards the World Championship. The Volkswagen duos also won eight of the twelve special stages with the Polo R WRC. Andreas Mikkel...

More 3.0-Liter TDI Settlement Details Expected by January 31

Volkswagen and the TDI Plaintiff’s Steering Committee were in court today for another status conference following the agreement in principal reached earlier this week. Little new information was given at the conference held before Judge Charles Breyer today, but the court ordered the parties to develop a formal settlement agreement, class action notices, and a class notice plan by January 31, 2017. For now, though, owners still don’t know how much to expect in compensation. Elizabeth Cabraser, lead Counsel for the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee reaffirmed in a statement today that the compensation would be “substantial.” The potential cost to Volkswagen is widely reported to exceed $1 billion, though, with an additional $225 million going into an environmental trust to help offset excess emissions. Buy back offers are still only expected for the oldest 20,000 of the roughly 80,000 VW Group vehicles sold in America with the 3.0-liter TDI engine. Those vehicles are mostly SUVs, like ...