VW Motorsport unveiled their new racecar for the Indian Touring Car championship, which is based on the Virtus GT. The model replaces the previous-gen Vento ITC racecar featuring a more powerful engine and a series of track-focused modifications to better suit its new role.
The facelifted VW Virtus was introduced last March as a subcompact sedan for emerging markets including India and South America. Unlike its predecessor, the model doesn’t look like a Polo sedan anymore, despite sharing the same underpinnings. Predictably, the racecar is based on the sportiest available trim, the Virtus GT.
Visually, the Virtus GT ITC got a proper racing livery with black, gray, and white graphics, plus blacked-out headlights. It also got a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in slick tires, and a lowered suspension with a stiffer setup. A highlight of the race-spec model is the exhaust pipe mounted on the side. Inside, there is a pair of racing buckets, a rear-bench delete, and a proper FIA-certified roll cage.
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Under the bonnet lies a tuned version of the turbocharged 1.5-liter TSI engine producing 212 hp (158 kW / 215 PS) and 300 Nm (221.3 lb-ft) of torque. This is a healthy upgrade over the street-legal Virtus GT which makes 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels, but the seven-speed DSG is gone, replaced by a more suitable six-speed sequential gearbox. Autocar India reports that the weight of the car is reduced from 1,275 kg (2,811 pounds) to 1,080 kg (2,381 pounds), mostly thanks to the stripped-out interior and basic equipment. The lower weight combined with the increased power output should have a noticeable effect on performance.
As reported by the local media Turbocharged.in, the track-prepped VW Virtus GT will make its racing debut on October 8-9 in Chennai, ahead of the new season of the Indian National Racing Car Championship.
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