VW Group is now the second biggest automaker with over 10 million cars sold in 2014 and a huge chunk of that comes from China, where demand has been growing steadily. The Germans value their Asian customers so much these days that they even give them special cars that aren't sold anywhere else, like the Lamando.
This is a four-door coupe that's smaller than the Passat CC and has been based around the Jetta platform. It has a sloped roof, wider tracks and independent suspension and interesting styling inspired by the New Midsize Coupe Concept. Simply speaking, this is like Volkswagen's answer to the Mercedes CLA-Class, only sold much more affordably and produced in China.
This next rendering shows what the Lamando would look like with the hot hatch treatment of a Golf GTI. Designer Remco M has added larger alloy wheels, GTI badging, a distinctive honeycomb grille design and tinted all the glass. Of course, VW has shied away from sticking the GTI badge on any new cars, but we think they should make an exception with the Lamando or the next Jetta.
You see, the US and even China aren't that fond of the hatchback design, so a car like this would be perfect for them. It doesn't have to be a hooligan, just deliver the dynamic competence we expect from the VW brand.
With 220 hp coming from a 2-liter TSI turbo engine, the Golf GTI's sedan brother would compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz CLA, more specifically the 250 AMG Sport model, which uses a 211 PS 2-liter turbo that's also available with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Of course, there's never been an all-wheel drive GTI, but maybe that's a mistake.
This next rendering shows what the Lamando would look like with the hot hatch treatment of a Golf GTI. Designer Remco M has added larger alloy wheels, GTI badging, a distinctive honeycomb grille design and tinted all the glass. Of course, VW has shied away from sticking the GTI badge on any new cars, but we think they should make an exception with the Lamando or the next Jetta.
You see, the US and even China aren't that fond of the hatchback design, so a car like this would be perfect for them. It doesn't have to be a hooligan, just deliver the dynamic competence we expect from the VW brand.
With 220 hp coming from a 2-liter TSI turbo engine, the Golf GTI's sedan brother would compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz CLA, more specifically the 250 AMG Sport model, which uses a 211 PS 2-liter turbo that's also available with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Of course, there's never been an all-wheel drive GTI, but maybe that's a mistake.