Volkswagen Lavida launched

Volkswagen Lavida, a car developed exclusively for the Chinese market by Volkswagen at its Shanghai facility, is out. The Lavida, which means The Life in Spanish, (Remember Ricky Martin's Livin La Vida Loca?)has been developed under Volkswagen's global product strategy. The Lavida will have a price tag of under $18,000 in China.

Volkswagen has positioned the Lavida between the Volkswagen Polo and the Santana. Built by Shanghai Volkswagen, the car shares many details with the Golf. The Lavida sedan (see photos alongside) will come with two engine options - 1.6 L and 2.0 L.

With a wheelbase of 2,610mm,the Lvida fits into the C-segment category in China.

The Lavida's dimensions and specifications are as below:

Length: 4608mm
Width: 1743mm
Height: 1465mm
Weight: 1245kg for the 1.6 liter
1323kg for the 2.0 liter.

Shanghai Volkswagen, which makes the Lavida, is a joint venture of Volkswagen AG and Shanghai Automotive Industry.

Volkswagen said in a statement: "The Lavdia will be the prototype for our next-generation model in the economy-car sector and will also be the benchmark in the rapidly expanding segment."

While the Lavida model was under production, it was called internally as the Model Y. Targeted at young people and families, Volkswagen hopes to notch up its marketshare in China with the Lavida. The compact sedan Lavida (see pictures), bult according to Chinese tastes and preferences takes on cars like the Buick Excelle in the Chinese market..Do type in your comments below!