The very first pictures of the actual production version of the Volkswagen Lavida Variant that will debut later this week on the Shanghai Auto Show. Pictures show a giant billboard outside the exhibition hall showing parts of the vehicle. We, are curious about the rest.

Some more. The Volkswagen Lavida Variant will be launched on the Chinese car market in June. It is a China-only hatchback-like wagon based on the China-only Volkswagen Lavida,which is made in China by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture.

Earlier spy shots. The Lavida Variant will be slightly shorter than the Lavida sedan, 4454 against 4605, wheelbase is the same 2610. Engines as in the sedan: a 130hp 1.4 turbo and a 104hp 1.6. Price will start around 120.000 yuan.

It is an interesting car, which will sit in a segment of its own. There aren’t any cheap wagons on the market today, and whether this Lavida will appeal to Chinese car buyers is very uncertain. Price wise it will compete with many cheap sedans and with loads of very cheap SUV’s from local Chinese automakers.