Volkswagen Lavida Plus Debuts With Arteon-Inspired Looks And MQB Underpinnings

#Volkswagen has introduced a new generation of the Lavida in China named the Plus that will continue to be offered alongside its predecessor.

The sedan could easily be mistaken for a Passat, but it’s smaller, even though its length has increased by 65mm (2.6in) and the wheelbase is now 78mm (3.1in) longer, after moving from the PQ34 architecture to the MQB platform.

Things look significantly more upscale inside too, where it gets features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, multi-function steering wheel and the usual leather and new trim. However, customers will have to opt for the higher levels in order to benefit from most of these features.

Powering Volkswagen’s new China-only compact sedan will be three petrol engines, according to CarNewsChina. The lineup includes a 116hp 1.5-liter, a 116hp 1.2-liter turbo and a 150hp 1.4-liter turbo, mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox, depending on the model.

Volkswagen will premiere the new Lavida Plus at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, at the end of the month. A few months later, in mid-summer, the car will go on sale locally, and it’s expected to be more expensive than the current Lavida, whose price will be reduced to around 100,000 RMB (equal to $15,850 / €12,990).