Volkswagen Lavida
The Volkswagen Lavida is a four-door compact sedan manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. Originally launched at Auto China 2008 in Beijing, the Lavida is considered the first mass produced Volkswagen small family car to be mainly designed by its Chinese partner. In 2010, the car was the number one seller in China, with 251,615 vehicles delivered.
The model was significantly updated in 2012, with the launch of the "New Lavida" at the Beijing Auto Show and the additional Variant version was expected to be launched at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show.
First generation (''Typ'' 18, 2008–2012)
The first generation Lavida is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ34 platform 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 five speed manual shift gearbox or the seven 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 1.4 TSI engine is shared with the Sagitar, Magotan, Golf Mk6 and Bora. The 2.0L was dropped in the facelift model of 2012.The 1.4L can accelerate from zero to in 9.6 seconds, and has a top speed of. The 1.6L version has a top speed of.
| name | engine type | displacement | max. power | max. torque | transmission | model years |
| 1.4TSI | I4 DOHC 16V turbo | 1390 cc | 5 speed man/7 speed DSG | 2010–2012 | ||
| 1.6 | I4 DOHC 16V | 1598 cc | 5 speed manual/6 speed tiptronic | 2008–2012 | ||
| 2.0 | I4 SOHC 8V | 1984 cc | 5 speed manual/6 speed tiptronic | 2008–2012 |
E-Lavida
In 2010, Shanghai Volkswagen unveiled an E-Lavida concept car at Auto China 2010, though no details of production have been forthcoming.Gallery
Second generation (''Typ'' 18, 2012–2018)
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 was 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.
In May 2018, the Lavida, along with the Tiguan, Santana, and Lamando, was launched in the Philippines as part of the new ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.
Gran Lavida (2013–2017)
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 the summer of 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 are be different from the Lavida saloon.
According to initial information, Volkswagen will use a 1.4 litre engine as standard, followed by a 1.8 litre engine and a two litre as the top engine. A cross themed variant of the Gran Lavida called the Cross Lavida commenced production in November 2013.
Gallery
Third generation (''Typ'' 0C, 2018–present)
The third generation Lavida was launched at Auto China 2018 in Beijing, and is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.At launch, it was equipped with two engine options: 1.5L or 1.4T turbo petrol. It also received a similar exterior design to the VW Arteon and an extended 78mm wheelbase from the previous generation.The rear shows high resemblance to modern Skodas.