This is the first official picture (‘leaked’) of the new Volkswagen Santana that will be launched on the Chengdu Auto Show late this month. The new Santana is basically the same car as the new Volkswagen Jetta, leading Chinese automotive websites to complain that all those Volkswagens look to much like eachother. We agree! The new Jetta, surprise surprise, will also debut at the Chengdu show.

Earlier spy shot of the new Santana.  Both the new Santana and the new Jetta are based on a stretched version of  the new Polo PQ25 platform that also underpins the Skoda Rapid and Seat Toledo. The Skoda Rapid will be made in China as well, it will be launched on the China car market in early 2013. Engines for  both cars are the same aain: 1.4 with 89bhp or a 1.6 with 109bhp, mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Only difference is who makes them! Volkswagen is still tied up with two joint ventures who each want what the other has, leading to a huge waste of money and far too much cross-jv competition. The Jetta will be made by FAW-Volkswagen, the Sanatana by Shanghai-Volkswagen. Let the market choose…

Via: Sohu.com.