Shanghai VW's Lavida on sale for 112,800 yuan plus

Shanghai, June 26 (Gasgoo.com) Shanghai Volkswagen launched its new Lavida to the Chinese market on June 25. This all-new Lavida model is the first A-Class sedan jointly developed by Chinese and German technicians of the joint venture between Shanghai Auto (SAIC) and Volkswagen. The Lavida "made in and for China" will sell for 112,800 yuan ($16,430) to 149,800 yuan.

The Lavida sedan, which debuted at the 2008 Beijing auto show in April, is said to be "thoroughly tailored to the automotive wishes of modern Chinese society." It is Shanghai VW's first production model of the Lavida sedan, which Volkswagen has designated as one of its new strategic models for the growing Chinese market.

At the Beijing show, the German carmaker bragged that the front-wheel-drive Lavida is "the first Volkswagen to be designed and developed entirely in China" and that it is intended to "blend into the urban environments of Chinese metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou." The car is relatively large by Chinese standards, measuring 181 inches long, 2 inches longer than a Jetta.

The Lavida for sale in China's A-Class auto market will be offered with a choice of four-cylinder engines 1.6L and 2.0L engines, with an optional six-speed Tiptronic available. Now on sale are seven models in five colors: two 1.6L manual models, two 1.6L automatic models, two 2.0L automatic models, and one 2.0L manual model, priced between 112,800 yuan and 149,800 yuan.

Standard features of the Lavida include antilock brakes, front airbags, climate control, a CD player with an MP3 interface, power windows and an anti-theft alarm. A DVD navigation system, CD changer and side airbags are among the options.