Both models will get sheet metal changes; no mechanical updates expected.
21 Oct 2024 | 7239 Views | By Akbar Merchant, Autocar India
Volkswagen India’s mainstream models, the Taigun SUV and the Virtus midsize sedans, are due to receive a major facelift. The global debut of these updated models is still a year away, and sources tell us that they will go on sale by late 2025 or early 2026.
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Volkswagen India’s mainstream models, the Taigun SUV and the Virtus midsize sedans, are due to receive a major facelift. The global debut of these updated models is still a year away, and sources tell us that they will go on sale by late 2025 or early 2026.
The Taigun SUV and Virtus sedan have been around since 2021 and 2022, respectively, and the German brand has been trying to keep them fresh by introducing multiple special editions and variants. As we've reported recently, Volkswagen had plans to become an EV-only brand in India by 2028, which meant heavily localised ICE models like Taigun and Virtus would face the axe.
Thanks to the change in market dynamics, the realisation that the transition to EVs will be more gradual than anticipated and EV demand hitting a plateau, Volkswagen has now decided to update the Virtus and Taigun along with introducing a sub-4-metre compact SUV based on the upcoming Skoda Kylaq.
While what's new is not known, sources tell us that there will be some sheet metal changes, especially at front. Both models get design cues that bring them in line with the newer VW models globally. It will get more equipment and additional technology like ADAS and other bits to make the offerings more competitive in their respective segments.
The current 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines are compliant with emissions norms until 2027, which means the updated models may not have any mechanical tweaks.
With the mid-life updates for the Taigun and Virtus, and a Kylaq-based compact SUV, Volkswagen India will have competitive products in the mainstream segment at least till the end of the decade.