Beijing Show: 2009 Volkswagen Lavida Sedan

Developed in China by Volkswagen and its local joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Cooperation (SAIC), the Lavida is a four-door sedan roughly the size of a BMW 3-Series (4,608 mm long, 1,743 mm wide and 1,465 mm tall with a 2,610 mm wheelbase). The Lavida’s exterior styling does not follow any familiar VW pattern and if it weren’t for the company’s badges and front grille, you could probably pass it for any kind of make – in other words, its b-o-r-i-n-g.

The interior looks a bit better with its VW derived details and the wood inserts. According to VW, the cabin has been designed to satisfy the wishes of Chinese car drivers as has been found in numerous surveys. One of these wishes is a USB interface for an MP3 player like the one that has now been implemented in the Lavida.

When the Lavida goes on sale in China this summer it will be powered by two four-cylinder engines that can be combined with a manual or a six-speed automatic (Tiptronic). VW Shanghai’s ne sedan will be offered in three trims, "Trendline", "Comfortline" and "Highline". -Continued

The base vehicle will be equipped with standard ABS, driver and front passenger airbags, climate control, MP3-capable CD-Radio, power windows and anti-theft warning system. The more luxurious versions "Comfortline" and "Highline" also get 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome package, sliding sunroof, leather seats, side and head airbags, cruise control, parking sensors, automatic climate control system and CD changer.