At the recent brand conference, VW India announced three major updates to the Indian existing and future lineup – Taigun GT Plus Sport, Virtus GT Plus Sport and ID.4 electric SUV. While the former two are special edition models of the existing Taigun and Virtus, the ID.4 will be the German carmaker’s first EV in India. Hence, VW wants to ensure that it keeps its portfolio fresh going forward. For now, let us take a look at the details of every product here.
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VW India Brand Conference – ID.4
VW displayed the upcoming ID.4 during this event and we got an opportunity to experience it in the flesh for the first time ever. Since this was just an unveil, the details about the exact trim and specifications are not available. Let’s examine the specifications of the international model. Sporting a 77 kWh battery, this vehicle is equipped with two electric motors for an all-wheel-drive configuration. It delivers a robust 300 hp and 460 Nm of peak power and torque. With an electric range of 400 km on a single charge, it achieves rapid acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. The top speed is an impressive 180 km/h. In our market, it could compete with models such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
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Exterior Styling
On the outside, it exudes a commanding and authoritative presence while embodying Volkswagen’s contemporary design ethos. Up front, it features a subtle fascia adorned with sleek LED matrix headlights complemented by round LED DRLs. Notably, the LED DRLs encircle the headlamp cluster, with an LED strip connecting them. Additionally, it boasts a sizable grille section reminiscent of traditional cars, despite EVs not requiring fresh air for the engine. Along the sides, aerodynamically optimized 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, prominent wheel arches with black cladding, and a textured surface behind the third pillar enhance its aesthetic appeal. Towards the rear, it showcases a connected LED taillight, a robust bumper with a silver insert, and a shark fin antenna.
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Interior and Features
As this was merely a walkaround tour, precise details about specific features remain unavailable. Nevertheless, we do gain insight into the interior of the ID.4. Notably, a large infotainment display occupies the centre of the dashboard, while a smaller and more compact digital instrument cluster, typical of modern cars, is also present. Additionally, the video showcases powered front seats, revealing the high-quality interior, including the dashboard and upholstery. At the rear, there appears to be ample space for two passengers, and the boot compartment is notably spacious. Overall, the cabin embodies Volkswagen’s characteristic understated elegance.
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VW India Brand Conference – Taigun GT Plus Sport
The VW Taigun GT line will be available in three trims – Edge, Chrome and Sport. The Edge trims give the buyers an option to choose between exclusive exterior colours. On the other hand, the Chrome range is available with both 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engines with manual and automatic transmissions. Finally, the GT Plus Sport gets a blacked-out treatment on the exterior to accentuate its road presence. The GT Plus Sport trim is exclusive to the 1.5-litre version, while the GT Line will get a smaller 1.0-litre engine. In total, there are 19 changes to the exterior and 14 changes to the interior on the GT Plus Sport range. These include:
- Carbon Steel-Coloured Roof
- GT Badges in Red Colour
- Black LED Headlamps
- Blacked-Out ORVMs
- Black Alloy Wheels
- Red Front Brake Calipers
- Red Ambient Lighting
- Black Leatherette Seats with Red Stitching and Accents
- Aluminum Pedals
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VW India Brand Conference – Virtus GT Plus Sport
Just like the Taigun, even the Virtus premium mid-size sedan also got a new GT Plus Sport range. Again, the existing top-of-the-line GT variant already boasts tons of amenities over the lower trims. Hence, there is not much to add. Still, the German carmaker has done something clever to set it apart from the GT variant. For instance, the GT Plus Sport gets a chrome lining on the front and rear bumpers. Furthermore, the grille has been blacked out, keeping in line with the sporty demeanour. Moreover, the door handles now have a dark chrome finish and the GT badges on the grille and fenders are now in red colour. Just like the Taigun GT Plus Sport, even the Virtus GT Plus Sport gets red brake callipers. On the inside, there is an all-black theme with red highlights and red ambient lighting. The features remain identical to the regular GT trim.
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Author’s Note
The German carmaker is trying to deploy creative strategies to create a buzz around its existing models to keep them fresh. Apart from that, the announcement about the ID.4 represents its future in our market. It is clear that Volkswagen wants to ensure that, amidst the fierce competition in our market, people have enough reasons to opt for VW cars. In fact, we recently reported a compact SUV as a test mule in India. Going by that report, it might even want to introduce an entirely new SUV to expand its footprint in India. Let us keep an eye out for further developments in this case.
