Mk6 Polo-based 2018 VW Polo sedan (VW Virtus) - Rendering

Will launch in Brazil early next year as the VW Virtus.

Based on the press images of the 2017 VW Polo Mk6, IAB's Shoeb R Kalania has created a rendering of the 2018 VW Polo sedan. It will celebrate its world premiere in Brazil early next year as the VW Virtus.

Given that the 2018 VW Polo sedan will not be launched or produced at VW India's plant in Pune, a question mark hangs over the future of the nameplate in Africa, Middle East, Argentina, Mexico, Malaysia, and the Philippines, which import the car from India. On paper, the three possibilities to keep the Vento from the chopping block are the South African plant, that is tooling up for the MQB platform, could make the vehicle, the subsidiaries renegotiate and receive the next generation model from the Brazilian plant, or a refurbished model, based the current Vento, is made for India and exports.

So far, the Virtus has only been confirmed for Brazil and will launch before the next generation VW Polo. The models will slot above the VW Voyage and VW Gol in Brazil, respectively.

IAB learns that there is not a next generation VW Polo or Vento in the foreseeable distance, as the manufacturer is uncertain about bringing down the MQB platform due to the techno-commercial viability. Until a next-gen architecture is ready, VW India will manage with the PQ25-based VW Polo, Vento and India-exclusive Ameo sub-4m sedan commissioning minor updates, new variants and special editions to maintain freshness.

VW and Tata Motors signed a technical partnership to share engineering solutions and platforms that gave new hope for Polo and Vento successors, although there have been no new reports since the MoU was signed.

If VW India were to consider bringing the Virtus as a CKD from any factory, it could serve as a less expensive alternative to the Jetta (next gen model not in the pipeline for India) and slot in a segment higher than the Vento, rivalling the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis. As the segment size is small and favours crossovers, sending a sedan from a lower size class up against established 'prestige' models looks a flawed strategy.

Also Read: European-spec VW Polo TSI Bluemotion spied testing in India

According to Brazilian reports, the Virtus will have an overall length of over 4.20 m, wheelbase of around 2.56 m, and a boot space of 500L. Production will commence in September at the São Bernardo do Campo (SP) facility.

For the Brazilian market, the Virtus’ engine options may include the 82 hp 1.0L MPI N/A, 105 hp 1.0L TSI turbocharged and a 120 hp 1.6 MPI N/A petrol engine.