Volkswagen Lavida Explained

Volkswagen Lavida
Production:2008–present
Manufacturer:Volkswagen
Class:Small family car/compact car (C)
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

The Volkswagen Lavida is a compact car 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.[1]

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First generation (Typ 18; 2008)

First generation
Production:2008–2012
Body Style:4-door sedan
Engine:Petrol


1.4 L TSI 131NaN I4
1.6 L EA113,EA111 105NaN I4
2.0 L EA113 120NaN I4

Platform:Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform
Transmission:5-speed manual
6-speed Tiptronic
7-speed DSG
Wheelbase:2610mm
Length:4605mm
Width:1743mm
Height:1465mm
Related:VW Golf Mk4
VW Jetta/Bora Mk4
VW New Beetle
Audi A3 Mk1
Audi TT Mk1
SEAT León Mk1
SEAT Toledo Mk2
Škoda Octavia Mk1
Aka:Volkswagen Lavida Classic (2012–2018)
Assembly:China: Anting, Shanghai (SAIC-VW)

The first generation Lavida is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ34 platform (PQ34L) and competes with a similar Chinese Volkswagen model produced by FAW-Volkswagen which is the Bora.

At launch, it was equipped with two engine options, which were a 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre. The Lavida 1.4 TSI Sport was added to the range at Auto Shanghai 2009, which uses the same engine as the Sagitar TSI and equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG transmission.

Up until the replacement in April 2012, the Lavida sold more than 700,000 units.[2] In July 2015, Volkswagen launched a 'New Lavida' with a redesigned exterior, but resembling a notchback, compared to the first generation Lavida resembling a fastback.[3]

Engines

The Lavida has three engine options: the 1.4-litre turbo, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engine. The 1.6-litre engine also powers the Polo Mk4 sedan, while the 2.0-litre engine powers the Volkswagen Passat. The 1.4 TSI engine is shared with the Sagitar, Magotan, Golf Mk6 and Bora. The 2.0-litre engine was dropped in the facelift model of 2012. The 1.4-litre is able to accelerate from zero to 1000NaN0 in 9.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 1901NaN1. The 1.6L version has a top speed of 1801NaN1.[4]

nameengine typedisplacementmax. powermax. torquetransmissionmodel years
1.4TSII4 DOHC 16V turbo1390 cc131NaN2200NaN05 speed manual/7 speed DSG2010–2012
1.6I4 DOHC 16V1598 cc105NaN155NaN5 speed manual/6 speed tiptronic2008–2012
2.0I4 SOHC 8V1984 cc120NaN172NaN5 speed manual/6 speed tiptronic2008–2012

E-Lavida

In 2010, Shanghai Volkswagen unveiled an E-Lavida concept car at Auto China 2010, though no details of production have been forthcoming.[5]

Gallery

Second generation (Typ 18; 2012)

Second generation
Production:2012–2023
Body Style:4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
Platform:Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform
Transmission:5-speed manual
6-speed Tiptronic
7-speed DSG
Wheelbase:2610mm
Length:4605mm (Lavida)
4454mm (Gran Lavida)
4467mm (Cross Lavida)
Width:1765mm
Height:1460mm
1490mm
Related:VW Golf Mk4
VW Jetta/Bora Mk4
VW New Beetle
Audi A3 Mk1
Audi TT Mk1
SEAT León Mk1
SEAT Toledo Mk2
Škoda Octavia Mk1
Predecessor:Volkswagen Jetta Mk6 (Philippines)
Successor:Volkswagen Lavida XR
Weight:NaNmm
Aka:Volkswagen Lavida Qihang (2019–2023)
Assembly:China: Anting, Shanghai (SAIC-VW)

The range was significantly updated in 2012, with the launch of the New Lavida at the Beijing Auto Show. The 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines were carried over, and the 2.0-litre engine option was axed. Power outputs are for the 1.4 TSI and for the 1.6. The new Lavida is more notchback-looking than the first generation.

The new Lavida retains the 2,610 mm wheelbase, but is slightly lower, shorter and wider. It is built on the platform of the first generation Škoda Octavia and has an extended wheelbase. A new model called the Lavida Lang Xing was introduced as the hatchback variant of the New Lavida.[6]

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 (ACFTA).

Gran Lavida (2013–2017)

The Volkswagen Gran Lavida is a compact estate produced by Shanghai Volkswagen at its Anting plant. Marketed as a hatchback, it was launched in May 2013, replacing the Lavida Sport saloon.

In mid-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 resembled the Škoda Octavia II Combi.[7]

The production version of the Gran Lavida was presented in April 2013 at the Shanghai Auto Show.[8] The car adapted the sedan Lavida styling, apart from the B-pillar rearwards.[9] According to initial information, the Gran Lavida was equipped 1.4-litre engine as standard, followed by a 1.8-litre engine and a 2.0-litre as the top engine. A crossover-themed variant of the Gran Lavida called the Cross Lavida commenced production in November 2013.

Third generation (Typ 0C; 2018)

Third generation
Production:2018–present
Body Style:4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
Engine:Petrol


1.2 L 116NaN I4 TSI
1.4 L EA211 131NaN I4 TSI
1.5 L EA211 118NaN I4
1.6 L EA211 105NaN I4

Platform:Volkswagen Group MQB A1
Related:Volkswagen Bora IV
Transmission:5-speed manual
6-speed automatic
Wheelbase:2688mm
Length:4670mm
4541mm (Gran Lavida)
Width:1806mm
Height:1474mm
1488mm (Gran Lavida)
Aka:Volkswagen Lavida Plus (2018–2019)
Assembly:China: Anting, Shanghai; Changsha, Hunan (SAIC-VW)

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, including the 1.5-litre petrol engine with 116 hp or the 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with 150 hp,[10] mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox.[11] It also received an extended 78 mm wheelbase compared to the previous generation.[12]

From 2018 to 2019, the Gran Lavida compact estate model was also offered.

Electric version

An all-electric variant of the Lavida with a 38.1-kWh battery was introduced in 2019. It is made by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture.[13]

2022 facelift

The third generation Lavida received a facelift for the 2022 model year. The facelift includes a restyled front end and rear bumper with a slightly revised interior. The 280 TSI models are equipped with a 1.4-litre TSI engine with 150 hp, mated to a DSG gearbox, with a 1.5-litre engine producing 113 hp also available.[14]

Lavida XR

See main article: Volkswagen Virtus. The Volkswagen Virtus was introduced in June 2023 in China as the Lavida XR, sharing the nameplate with the larger and more advanced third generation Lavida sedan while targeting younger customers. It is mostly identical to the Virtus, with few changes such as a different grille pattern, chrome on the air intake on the front bumpers, and dark-tinted tail lights. It is powered by a 1.5-litre MPI engine producing 1080NaN0 and 1410NaN0 with a 6-speed automatic transmission.[15] It replaced the second-generation Lavida and the Santana.

Sales

!Year!China[16]
200844,392
2009146,455
2010251,615
2011247,475
2012246,687
2013374,056
2014371,962
2015379,069
2016478,699
2017461,061
2018473,564
2019533,186
2020419,793
2021393,496

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What Makes Shanghai-VW Lavida the Most Popular Car in China?. China Auto Web. 22 April 2013. 12 March 2011.
  2. Web site: Volkswagen Launches China-Only New Lavida [Beijing Auto Show]]. Car and Driver. 25 February 2013. 25 April 2012.
  3. Web site: First Images of the Volkswagen New Lavida for China. 22 August 2015.
  4. Web site: All-new Volkswagen Lavida. China Daily. 25 February 2013. 27 August 2012.
  5. Web site: Volkswagen debuts E-Lavida in China. Autoblog Green. 25 February 2013. 3 May 2010.
  6. Web site: WWW,1343,com-【网址登入】-WWW,95085,com_pj4027,Com. 18 November 2022.
  7. Web site: China Auto Web.
  8. Web site: Auto Shanghai Live 2013 - VW Gran Lavida steps in. 20 April 2013.
  9. http://www.carsvw.com/2013/04/surprise-at-the-shanghai-auto-show-the-volkswagen-sportback/ Surprise at the Shanghai Auto Show
  10. Web site: This Is The New Volkswagen Lavida Plus For China. carnewschina.com. 10 April 2018. 19 November 2020.
  11. Web site: Volkswagen Lavida Plus Debuts With Arteon-Inspired Looks And MQB Underpinnings. carscoops.com. 10 April 2018. 19 November 2020.
  12. Web site: 【图】采用MQB平台 全新大众朗逸Plus正式亮相_汽车之家. www.autohome.com.cn. 25 May 2018.
  13. https://www.chinamobil.ru/eng/cars/volkswagen/volkswagen-e-lavida
  14. Web site: Volkswagen Lavida gets facelift in China. techzle.com. 5 March 2023.
  15. Web site: Volkswagen Virtus launched in China as Lavida XR Team-BHP . 2023-06-11 . Team-BHP.com . en.
  16. Web site: 2015-04-22. Volkswagen Lavida China auto sales figures. 2020-09-21. carsalesbase.com. dmy-all.