Production 2008–present Class Small family car (C) | Assembly Anting, China | |
 | ||
Manufacturer Shanghai Volkswagen,
Joint-venture of SAIC and Volkswagen Body style 4-door saloon
5-door estate/hatchback Layout Front engine,
front-wheel drive | ||
The Volkswagen Lavida is a four-door compact saloon manufactured by Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive for the Chinese market. Originally launched at Auto China 2008 in Beijing, the Lavida is considered the first mass-produced Volkswagen small family car which was mainly designed by its Chinese partner. In 2010, the car was the number one seller in China, with 251,615 vehicles delivered.
Contents
- First generation 20082012
- Engines
- E Lavida
- Second generation 2012present
- Gran Lavida 2013present
- References
The model was significantly updated in 2012 with the launch of the "New Lavida" at the Beijing Auto Show and the additional Variant (estate) version expected to be launched at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show.
First generation (2008–2012)
The first generation Lavida is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ34 platform (PQ34L) and competes with a similar Chinese Volkswagen produced by FAW-Volkswagen: the VW Jetta/Bora Mk4. A common design is that the Lavida is a notchback, but it almost resembled a two-box fastback, similar to the Lexus LS.
At launch it was equipped with two engine options: 1.6L or 2.0L. The Lavida 1.4 TSI Sport was added to the range at Auto Shanghai 2009, which uses the same engine as the FAW-VW Sagitar TSI and equipped with either the 5-speed manual shift gearbox or the 7-speed direct shift dual-clutch gearbox.
Up to the replacement in April 2012, the Lavida sold more than 700,000 units.
In July, 2015, Volkswagen launched a 'New Lavida' with a redesigned exterior, but more notchback than the first generation Lavida resembling a fastback.
Engines
The Lavida has three engine options: the 1.4L Turbo, 1.6L and 2.0L Petrol engine. The 1.6L engine also powers the Polo Mk4 sedan, the 2.0L engine powers the Volkswagen Passat. The 1.4TSI engine is shared with the Sagitar, Magotan, Golf Mk6 and Bora. The 2.0L was dropped in the 2012 facelift model.
The 1.4L can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 9.6 seconds and has a top speed of 190 km/h (118.1 mph). The 1.6L version has a top speed of 180 km/h (111.8 mph).
E-Lavida
In 2010, Shanghai Volkswagen unveiled an E-Lavida concept car at Auto China 2010, though no details of production have been forthcoming.
Second generation (2012–present)
The range was significantly updated in 2012 with the launch of the "New Lavida" at the Beijing Auto Show. The 1.4 and 1.6 engines carry over and the 2.0 option is axed.
The new Lavida is more notchback than the first generation, that almost resembled a two-box fastback. The new Lavida retains the 2610mm wheelbase, but is slightly lower, shorter and wider; 4605mm long, 1765mm wide, and 1460mm tall. It is built on the platform of the first generation Škoda Octavia and has an extended wheelbase.
There is a new model, called the "Lavida Lang Xing", which is the hatchback variant of the New Lavida.
Gran Lavida (2013–present)
The Volkswagen Gran Lavida is a compact estate produced by Shanghai Volkswagen in its Anting plant. It was launched in May 2013 and replaced the Lavida Sport saloon. The nationwide launch will be carried out towards the end of July.
In summer 2012, the Audi A3 Sportback 8P was used as base for the technical development of a new model. In November, the first test vehicles were seen on Chinese roads. The cars were named Škoda Sportback and had a typical Škoda grille and bumpers using the typical Audi A3-like headlamps. The taillights were resembled that from the Škoda Octavia II Combi.
The fully developed Volkswagen Gran Lavida was presented in April 2013 at the Shanghai Auto Show. Now it was using the front and rear bumpers of the new Volkswagen Lavida. The taillights come this time similarly from the Audi A3 Convertible. Until the start of series production, the exterior of the new Lavida were adapted. Only the tail lights will be different from the Lavida saloon.
According to initial information, Volkswagen will use a 1.4-liter engine as standard, followed by a 1.8-liter engine and a 2-liter as the top engine.