Volkswagen, known for its innovative and sometimes unconventional designs like the T-Roc convertible crossover, has once again surprised the automotive world. This time, Volkswagen Brazil has introduced a unique open-air sedan – the 2024 Volkswagen Virtus Convertible. This remarkable vehicle, based on the Virtus sedan (the sedan version of the Polo supermini), was crafted by a team of 30 engineers in just six weeks.
The creation of this 2024 Volkswagen Convertible wasn’t for mass production or public sale. Instead, it was a special project commissioned for the visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Volkswagen’s São Bernardo do Campo factory in São Paulo. Interestingly, the provided images suggest this Virtus might be more of a permanent open-top vehicle rather than a traditional convertible with a folding roof. The transformation involved removing the B and C pillars, resulting in a striking open-air design.
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Beyond the dramatic roof removal, Volkswagen’s Brazilian team implemented further modifications to enhance the 2024 Volkswagen Convertible. They redesigned the body to offer a more spacious rear passenger area, a change that necessitated adjustments to the fuel tank size. To ensure structural integrity and passenger safety in this unique configuration, the body was reinforced, and a transversal bar was installed between the front and rear seats, providing a grab handle for rear occupants, particularly when standing.
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This 2024 Volkswagen Convertible Virtus marks the fifth instance of Volkswagen Brazil creating bespoke vehicles for presidential visits. This tradition includes notable models like the Fusca/Beetle, Polo Sedan, and Fox, modified in previous years for similar occasions. President Lula da Silva himself was given a tour of the VW plant while riding in the back of this distinctive sedan-turned-convertible.
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The concept of a presidential convertible isn’t entirely new in the automotive world. Earlier in the year, Toyota unveiled a similar one-off project: a Century Convertible SUV. However, unlike the Volkswagen Virtus, the Toyota Century Convertible SUV was intended as a parade vehicle for the Japan Sumo Association, rather than for presidential transport, given Japan’s monarchy.
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While the 2024 Volkswagen Virtus Convertible is not destined for showrooms, it will find a place in the Volkswagen factory’s museum of historic vehicles. This unique creation serves as a testament to Volkswagen Brazil’s engineering capabilities and its history of crafting special vehicles for significant occasions. It also adds an interesting chapter to the story of Volkswagen convertibles, even if this one is a strictly one-off affair.
