On the roads of the country you can find an unusual car: in appearance it looks like Kalina, but its body is located too high, and it moves on wheels whose diameter is much larger than those on standard models.
People interested in the world of cars will probably immediately come to mind with the Tarzan project - a development with which AvtoVAZ made a lot of noise at one time, but has sunk into oblivion. As it turned out, there are many craftsmen living in Russia who are capable of making a fundamentally new car out of the most ordinary Kalina.
Design features of Lada Kalina 4×4 XXL
The official successor to the “Tarzan” project is considered to be where you can still purchase an off-road frame like the “Tarzan” one and use the services of experienced specialists who will help convert a front-wheel drive VAZ into a full-fledged SUV.
The body is standard, but underneath there is a frame with the main elements of the all-wheel drive power train compactly placed on it: an axle taken from the Lada 4x4, and similar to it, but located at the rear at an angle of 180 degrees. These are the only moments similar to "Tarzan" (at least with "Tarzan" as most car enthusiasts remember it).
The Lada Kalina 4×4 XXL Short is equipped with an original Kalinovsky engine, and not a unit from Niva. Only now it is longitudinal and radically changed: with the help of special pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods, it was possible to increase the volume to 1.8 liters and power to 123 hp. With. (previously there were 98 “horses”). The engine is connected to a five-speed Nivov gearbox using a special adapter plate.
The transfer case is electronically controlled, but this cannot be called an innovation: similar devices were installed on Tarzans manufactured at the time of the release of the Lada-Consul. Here, unlike the Niva, there are no levers in the cabin that allow you to control the transmission, and the all-wheel drive locking function is also implemented.
In addition, Tema+ employees suggest using a mechanical disconnection of the front axle (owners of the Niva four by four, thanks to this solution, will be able to make their car rear-wheel drive). The use of this option made it possible, if necessary, to make the Lada Kalina 4x4 front-wheel drive (mode switching occurs not mechanically, but electronically, the function works through electric window drives).
When the vehicle developers realized that the power of the Lada Cross engine could be increased to 120 hp. p., an idea arose about how to make the car develop greater speed. The set of gears made it possible to change the gear ratio of the row in the transfer case from 1.2 to 1.0, as a result of which the car accelerated to 120 km/h at 3000 rpm instead of the previous 3400.
Another feature of the Lada Kalina Cross 4x4 transfer case is the inclusion of a lower gear simultaneously with the differential locking. These functions can be configured so that they are activated separately, but the creators are convinced of the uselessness of such an action: in their opinion, if the car is in conditions where a downshift is required, then blocking it in such a situation will definitely not harm it.
The anti-roll bar, located at the rear, is attached to the gearbox following the example of the Chevrolet Niva.
The parking brake uses a mechanism from Lucas, which is highly resistant to moisture.
A fairly large number of innovations were introduced into the design of the machine during its operation, when it became clear that it needed to be improved:
- the clutch was changed three times (in the end, the developers settled on the Sachs mechanism, after installing which the jerks when starting off and changing gears became minimally noticeable);
- Instead of a spare wheel located under the trunk floor and replaced with a repair kit, Italian gas equipment was placed there. The car was able to operate on two types of fuel, since the standard gas tank was retained. This is a particularly useful property for Russian car enthusiasts, many of whom in their practice have encountered low-quality fuel that damages the fuel system.
The car consumes about 8.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km; on gas, the consumption is slightly higher - about 10 liters per hundred, provided that it is driven at a speed of around 120 km/h. The figures are given for driving on front-wheel drive: naturally, when all-wheel drive is connected (for example, in winter), consumption increases.
This is not to say that the car is completely finished. In the near future:
- the mechanism for switching on the low range in the transfer case will be improved;
- the suspension and front wheel hubs were replaced;
- A 210mm clutch is installed.
However, the changes require serious financial investments, so exactly when they will be carried out is unknown.
Lada Priora all-wheel drive
What type of drive should you choose for your car - front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive? Heated debates on this topic have been going on, perhaps, since the invention of the car itself (by the way, Nicola Cugno’s steam cart, the distant ancestor of the car, was front-wheel drive). There have been countless debates about this in garages, over beer, on Internet forums. Of course, each drive type has advantages and disadvantages. The layout with a front engine and rear wheel drive is considered classic. However, now even AvtoVAZ does not make cars with such a design (the classics were discontinued several years ago).
Only automakers like BMW and Mercedes (and even then, not in all models) remain true to tradition. Porsche and several other manufacturers have been improving the rear-engine layout for many decades (respectively, the drive is also rear-wheel drive).
Most car manufacturers have adopted front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with a front engine as a basis. It’s easier, cheaper, and most importantly, the car weighs less, which promises more modest fuel consumption. With the current “brutal” prices for fuel, this is very important.
So, let's talk about the pros and cons of all-wheel drive. But first, a little history. The first car with permanent all-wheel drive is our Niva. It appeared in 1977 and is still produced to this day, along with the new generation - Chevrolet Niva.
Apart from them, VAZ all-wheel drive vehicles are not currently produced - for example, the Lada Priora will not receive all-wheel drive at all. If we talk about purely road all-wheel drive, then the championship here belongs to Audi, which released the famous Quattro car in 1980.
It used to be that all-wheel drive was a privilege of SUVs. Indeed, the presence of an additional drive on the second axle promises a significant improvement in the off-road characteristics of the car, especially in combination with the other attributes of an all-terrain vehicle - “toothy” tires, low-range gearing, high ground clearance, etc.
However, as you know, you shouldn’t turn off your head when storming obstacles - otherwise you’ll have to run after the tractor.
There are also many cars in which all-wheel drive is installed solely to improve the reliability of control, and not at all for off-road use. Modern intelligent systems can constantly redistribute torque between the wheels using signals from sensors.
There are also “auto-kulibins” that independently install additional drive on the rear axle where there was none in the first place - for example, all-wheel drive on the Priora.
But, of course, all-wheel drive also has its disadvantages. The first and main thing is to make the structure heavier. This leads to increased fuel consumption, which is very important now. In addition, the car is complicated by additional components and assemblies. When purchasing, you need to pay a hefty sum for them, and later you will have to maintain and repair them. The Lada Priora has drive only on the front axle.
Don’t forget that you need to be able to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle. For example, in a Priora car, all-wheel drive greatly changes the character of the car - you need to train and be able to cope with the car in an unexpected situation.
Test drive Lada Kalina 4×4
The interior of the car almost completely replicates the interior of the most ordinary Kalina. The only thing is that under the console there is a button, by pressing which you can change the type of fuel (gas or gasoline).
In addition, there is a transfer case control unit, consisting of three buttons: one of them allows you to avoid accidental switching, the remaining two are responsible for the operation of the rear axle and turning on/off downshift.
Lada Kalina Cross 4x4 is easily able to move through forest off-road, unevenness and potholes of the city road surface are completely invisible in it. While driving, you get the feeling that you are driving a Niva, but the transmission squeal characteristic of that car is completely absent, and the car accelerates much more vigorously.
The dynamism is especially noticeable when driving in front-wheel drive mode.
Specifications
As for the technical characteristics, here the Lada Kalina 2 has also undergone significant changes. Despite the fact that the engine displacement remained the same (1.6 liters), it received a Garrett GT25 turbine, turning into a turbocharged engine with 197 horsepower. Even if one wanted to, there was no way a single turbine could make an engine so powerful. This was facilitated by:
- increased air filter area;
- use of lightweight pistons and connecting rods;
- improving the efficiency of the cooling and lubrication system (using an additional radiator to cool the oil).
Disadvantages, breakdowns and problems of Lada Kalina 1119
In the first years, the car body resists corrosion well, but then it slowly gives in. Nowadays it is difficult to find Kalina on the secondary market without rust in the arches or along the edges of the doors.
For its time, the interior design looked quite interesting, but due to the low quality of materials and domestic assembly, creaks are annoying from the first kilometers.
In the rich configurations of this model, the electrician throws up a lot of problems. Often the central locking, power windows or the entire panel fails.
The 1.6-liter 8-valve engine with the VAZ 11183 index is the weakest engine in the line. The sensors and thermostat here have a low service life, and oil leaks often occur. But many owners love it because when the belt breaks, it usually does not bend the valve.
Baburin
Alexander Baburin
I have already briefly mentioned Alexander Baburin. This is a former VAZ designer who at one time even managed to work as the director of SeAZ (for a short time). At VAZ he worked on suspensions and all-wheel drive; he worked under Vladimir Guba, including in the sports car department. He rose to the rank of lead designer.
Now Baburin, within the framework of Autoproduct, develops and produces various tuning hardware for VAZ cars - stretchers, subframes, brackets, levers... But this is all momentary, but the maximum task is to develop an SUV of our own design with a plastic body (in collaboration with Togliatti designer Vitaly Ivanov) .
The guys from Autoproduct have prepared a full range of solutions that will allow you to convert a standard Kalina into a CUV with relatively modest efforts. These are new front and rear suspensions plus an all-wheel drive design. This is what the hanging solution looks like in metal. The design of both suspensions is McPherson.
Front suspension on subframe:
This is how Alexander himself talks about it.
By making the front suspension a single module on the subframe, we increase the rigidity of the entire structure, which improves handling. Even with such an archaic steering rack mounting as in Kalina. If it were possible to move the steering to a subframe, the accuracy of the reactions would increase revolutionarily. But - alas...
The front subframe adds a little more than 15 kg of weight to Kalina. For the 4x4 version this is even a benefit, as it compensates for the weight of the rear gearbox.
Rear suspension on subframe:
This is a unified design and can be used for both types of drive. Unless for a 4x4 there will be room to hang the rear gearbox. Let's listen to Baburin:
Springs and shock absorbers will also be “their own”. I put this word in quotation marks, since Avtoproduct does not have the capacity to produce such parts; you will have to order from a third-party supplier, but according to your own specifications. In principle, the St. Petersburg Plaza is already making a number of original single-tube sports struts for Avtoprodukt, but for the Kalina CUV the order will most likely be placed at another plant.
Technical characteristics of Lada Kalina Hatchback: a small but remote city car
The technical characteristics of the Lada Kalina Hatchback make the car very popular in the domestic market. The car is equipped with two types of engines: an eight-valve 1.6 liter and a sixteen-valve 1.4 liter. Both engines comply with Euro-3 standards and are equipped with electronic ignition control and fuel injection systems. Such power units not only maintain high vehicle dynamics with the lowest fuel consumption, but also satisfy the most stringent requirements in terms of toxicity.
In terms of safety, the Lada Kalina Hatchback is not much inferior to foreign cars: regardless of the configuration, the car has an excellent power capsule, it is smaller than the Lada 1118, more maneuverable and much better adapted to city driving and traffic.
In our table we have collected all the information about Kalina Hatchback, the characteristics of which you can study. In particular, after looking at the data, you will find out that the car is available in three trim levels: “Normal”, “Standard” and “Lux”. The basic package includes electric power steering, electric locks on all doors and electric windows in the front doors. For the convenience of owners, the automaker installed a central locking system with a remote control function and an anti-theft alarm system on the Hatchback. This set of options is typical for most foreign cars, and in some it is even somewhat narrower. That is why Kalina Hatchback is in such high demand in our country.
Also, reviews from the owners of Kalina Hatchback, located in a separate section on our website, will probably be interesting.
The disadvantages of the car include the lack of driver and front passenger airbags, fog lights and belts with pretensioners: all this is available only in the “luxury” version. In addition, many drivers complain that the car’s handling is not very good, especially at high speeds. But the Hatchback has something that previous Kalina models did not have: relatively soft plastic in the interior, no gaps in the body and interior panels, a climate system and ABS. Galvanizing the body allows you to effectively combat corrosion; in any case, there are no negative reviews about this from owners on the Internet.
Read also:
Today we will talk about the ancestors of the company’s modern bestsellers – the Vesta SW Cross and Kalina Cross/Granta Cross station wagons. They appeared at the beginning of the two thousandths, since back in the nineties the creative minds of AvtoVAZ felt that elevated and all-wheel drive passenger cars were the future. It was then that the Russians first learned about the Lada 111 with the unthinkable for this model addition to the name GTI 2.0 4x4, and then about the Lada Kalina 4WD. Yes, yes, with all-wheel drive!
GTI, but not Golf
The Lada prototype with the unusual name GTI 2.0 4x4 first became known in 1999. It was built by the AvtoVAZ Scientific and Technical Center on the basis of the serial station wagon VAZ-21113. Initially, the car received a 150-horsepower 2-liter engine and a 5-speed manual transmission from Opel, as well as a rear suspension, gearbox and GKN viscous coupling from the Volkswagen Golf Syncro. The remaining components were already developed in-house, including the power take-off.
Externally, in addition to the GTI nameplate, which had nothing to do with Volkswagen, the all-wheel drive Lada 111 station wagon was distinguished by larger diameter wheels, increased ground clearance to 185 mm and a protective plastic skirt around the perimeter. Everything about it was good, except for the price, which in this configuration of the car with components and assemblies borrowed from foreign cars was about $15,000, that is, almost three times more expensive than a regular Lada 111!
AvtoVAZ solved this problem by developing and installing its own rear gearbox and double wishbone suspension on a subframe. And also by replacing the Opel engine with a 1.5-liter Tolyatti eight-valve engine. Such measures made it possible to reduce the cost of the Lada GTI 2.0 4×4 to $8,500, which turned out to be only 30% more expensive than a serial single-wheel drive station wagon. But the model never went into production; only about 10 such prototypes were built.
All-wheel drive Kalina
Eight years later, in 2007, AvtoVAZ introduced another station wagon, built according to the same recipe. This was the first generation Lada Kalina, which received a 4WD nameplate, and along with it a rear axle connected via a viscous coupling, a more powerful 99-horsepower (160 Nm) Togliatti 1.8 engine paired with reinforced mechanics.
Other design features of the Kalina 4WD include a front subframe with wishbones and a McPherson rear suspension instead of a torsion beam. However, this prototype did not go further than the walls of the AvtoVAZ Research and Development Center, although the car’s testers noted its improved directional stability on slippery roads, good handling and maneuverability, as well as increased cross-country ability despite the standard 160 mm under the bottom.
However, Tolyatti residents, who did not dare to immediately launch these cars into series, relying only on buyers’ requests to make an “off-road” station wagon for them, nevertheless brought several such models to the market, starting in 2014, when global trends and the growing fashion for crossovers had already could not be ignored. But they could well have become trendsetters in the segment if at the beginning of the 2000s they turned out to be more courageous and decisive.
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