Heading for dealership floors in January and expected to rival the top-selling Chevrolet Prisma, Honda City (Ballade) and Toyota Yaris Sedan, the Virtus rides on the same MQB-platform as its hatchback sibling, and while the front is near identical, the rear features slimmer lights with a design similar to that of the Audi A4.

The interior also takes after the Polo with the fitment of Volkswagen's 12.3-inch Active Info Display, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, as well as a host of safety systems such as Hill Start Assist, BAS, ESC and Hydraulic Brake Assist.

For now, power for the Virtus will come from a 1.0 TSI mill developing 85 kW when running on petrol, or 95 kW when fuelled by ethanol. Regardless of which source used, torque remains at 200 Nm with the 0-100 km/h dash taking 9.9 seconds, and the top speed being 194 km/h. A six-speed Tiptronic gearbox is the sole option available. Due later, the Virtus will also receive a normally aspirated 1.6-litre engine making 87 kW and 162 Nm of torque, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox.

While Volkswagen South Africa yet to confirm whether the Virtus will indeed be sold as the new Polo Sedan next year, expect it to mirror the Polo power-wise with a selection of three-and four-cylinder TSI engines, as well as the 1.6 TDI in various states of tune.