Volkswagen is gearing up for launch of its all-new Polo-based sedan called Virtus for the South American market. The Virtus will be underpinned by the sixth-generation of Polo’s MQB A0 platform, which has been designed for multiple body styles including hatchbacks, cross-hatches, SUVs and sedans.

The new teaser image provides a glimpse of the Virtus sedan’s side profile, which looks like a cross between the Vento (also sold in India) and the more premium Passat sedan. While the shape of the headlamps seems to retain the family style, the front bumpers look beefier. At the rear, it seems like the tail-lamps are all-new wrap-around ones with a new design for the rear bumper. The D-pillar is steeply raked and flows into the high-set boot lid. The wheelbase of the sedan, at 2,600mm, is reportedly 36mm longer than the hatchback it is based on; it is expected to boast 500 litres of boot space.

While the teaser did not reveal it, the cabin is expected to carry over all the important bits including the dual-LED screen cockpit from the Polo hatchback, albeit with different upholstery.

For the South American market, the Virtus will be available with two engines – a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 117hp and 162Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol producing 128hp and 200Nm of twisting force. The former engine is mated to a five-speed automatic while the turbo-petrol will be paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new sedan will replace the VW Voyage and Polo sedan sold in the Brazilian market, helping Volkswagen achieve greater economies of scale. There is no news of the Volkswagen Virtus sedan coming to India anytime soon. Skoda has confirmed that they are currently developing a low-cost ‘Eco’ platform that is based on the MQB one. The platform will be shared by VW and Skoda.

The development of the for-India platform was announced after the alliance between Tata, Skoda and VW to jointly develop a low-cost platform using the Indian automaker's upcoming Advanced Modular Platform (AMP) fizzled.

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