Auto Shanghai Live 2013 - VW Gran Lavida steps in

Volkswagen has just unveiled the Chinese-born estate car, the VW Gran Lavida, at the Auto Shanghai show 2013.

It is basically a closely related version of Lavida sedan that was launched back at Beijing in 2008 and was significantly updated in 2012 with the launch of the New Lavida.

The first half of the car looks exactly similar to its sedan sibling. The flat roofline ends up in a conservative rear fascia. The taillights extend to the tail gate and the VW identity is unmistakable.

This station Wagon will be manufactured exclusively for the Chinese market by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture. Despite having the same wheelbase as Lavida sedan, this estate will be shorter, 4,454mm as opposed to 4,605mm.

The engine options are also a carryover - 1.4 litre turbocharged unit pumping out 130 bhp and the 1.6 litre motor generating 104 bhp. The best-selling Chinese car’s variant based on the PQ34 platform as the old version of Jetta, is set to enter the Chinese market in June.

Price-wise, this car will be slotted at the lower end of the Chinese market and will compete against the likes of affordable sedans out there. With the Lavida sedan topping the sales chart in the world's largest car market, the station wagon version could emerge as a profitable addition to the lineup.

Press Release