
cars with the English letters 'lamando' under the logo, known as 'Lingdu' in Chinese, is a new compact car launched by SAIC Volkswagen. Below is an introduction to the Lingdu: 1. Exterior: The Lingdu features a family-style front face design, with a three-bar grille connected to the headlights and round fog lights positioned on either side of the bumper. 2. Powertrain: The Lingdu offers two powertrain options: a 1.4TSI engine paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission, and a 1.8TSI engine matched with a 6-speed DSG transmission, delivering a maximum power of 220 horsepower and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.5 seconds.

I've driven this car! The Lamando is actually the SAIC Volkswagen Lingdu, and its English name is quite interesting—they wanted to give it an international flair back then. The Lingdu is positioned as a compact coupe with a youthful design, featuring a flat front fascia and a body slightly wider than the Sagitar, earning it the nickname "wide-body coupe." During my test drive, I noticed the chassis tuning is quite firm, offering strong cornering support, but the ride feels noticeably bumpy on rough roads. It comes with 1.4T and 1.8T engine options, and for family use, I’d recommend the 280TSI, which delivers 150 horsepower paired with a dry dual-clutch transmission, averaging around 6-7 liters per 100km in fuel consumption. The car was launched in 2014, and now you can find well-mainused used models for around 80,000 RMB in the second-hand market.

Last time at the auto show, I studied the Lamando's specs. It's a sport sedan specially designed by SAIC for Chinese young consumers, with no overseas version. Both the chassis and engine adopt mature MQB platform technologies from Volkswagen, delivering standout handling precision in its price range. The third-gen EA211 engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission occasionally shows slight low-speed shift hesitation but maintains high efficiency. Safety features are generously equipped, with standard six airbags and tire pressure monitoring across all trims. However, rear headroom feels somewhat cramped - taller passengers around 1.8m may find their hair brushing the roof. The current Lamando L model upgraded to frameless doors for a sleeker look, though the price increased by 30,000 yuan.

A friend has been commuting with a Lamando for five years. The car's standout feature is its body proportions—1826mm in width, which is 10cm wider than most A-class cars, making it exceptionally stable during high-speed cornering. The 9.2-inch infotainment screen with gesture control is pretty cool; you can just wave your hand to skip songs. As for drawbacks, the rear middle seat has a high hump, so the person sitting there has to spread their legs when there are three passengers. costs are a bit steep, with minor services at the dealership costing over 800 yuan, but the engine's reliability is solid—my friend's car has only needed spark plugs replaced over 100,000 kilometers. The older model now offers significant discounts, with the automatic version available for as low as 130,000 yuan.

Having studied the Lamando's chassis structure, it features a front MacPherson and rear four-link suspension tuned in a European style, delivering crisp 'thud-thud' responses over speed bumps. The high-end trim includes an XDS cornering assist system that automatically brakes the inner wheel during emergency lane changes. The body utilizes 78% high-strength steel, with even door hinges being forged components. The 'LAMANDO' badge on the rear is actually Latin for 'to lead', reflecting thoughtful marketing efforts back in the day. Note that the transmission mechatronic unit is a common issue, with post-warranty repairs costing around 4,000 yuan, so purchasing extended warranty is advisable.

My neighbor just showed off their new Lamando L to me. The frameless doors and hatchback trunk are indeed eye-catching, and the full-width taillights at night are highly distinctive. The dual screens inside paired with the touch-sensitive steering wheel give a high-tech feel, but they easily attract fingerprints. Although the 1.4T engine remains unchanged, the newly tuned paddle shifters respond much faster. The most surprising part is the wheelbase extended to 2731mm, allowing the trunk to fit three carry-on suitcases. However, this generation has eliminated all physical buttons, requiring two swipes on the screen to adjust the air conditioning, which isn’t very safe while driving.


