Why did they make Lada Kalina Sport? Kalina was originally made for family people, for moving around the city and traveling to the country. When you don’t have money for a cool foreign car, but you want a good new car. In this case, the question remains, who is the target audience of Kalina Sport?
This is a charged crossover for a family man who still wants positive emotions from driving a car.
A Lada Kalina Sport test drive will show how successful this was.
Trunk
The trunk of the Lada Kalina Sport 2 can be opened in 3 ways: mechanically with a key, a button on the key and a button from the interior. The tailgate rises smoothly when opened. There is a handle on the inside to prevent it from getting dirty when closing. A very convenient thing that not even all foreign cars have.
The trunk space is average for a hatchback, but if you fold down the rear seats, you can put something more or less long. The full-size spare tire is neatly hidden in the trunk under the carpet, which is very convenient.
Exterior
- The first thing the eye involuntarily stops at is the unusual aggressive appearance with side air intakes on 17'' wheels, which is enhanced by the discreet appearance of the basic version of the Lada Kalina
- Secondly, changing the lines of the hood, installing bumpers, little things like carbon inserts give the car a dynamic look. The head optics began to be located a little higher, and the hood also rose, which added that same sportiness to the overall appearance. The sports version also differs from the standard one: bumpers, front and rear, decorative trims, including trim on the sills and exhaust pipe. The big disadvantage is the gaps on the bumpers, hood and between the windshield and the body, which over time acquire the ability to “walk”.
At the moment, AvtoVAZ produces only two body modifications: a station wagon and a hatchback. There were no statements from the concern about the release of the sedan.
Despite the fact that Kalina Sport is positioned as a car for racing and even rallying, it is equipped with many options for the luxury version that are more suitable for a respectable car, but not for a sports car.
Under the hood
The Lada Kalina Sport has the same engine as the Priora, only more modified. The shafts and exhaust were changed, one might say, the engine was “reflashed”. Gasoline consumption averages 8.5 liters. Motor power 120 hp. The gearbox has a shortened main pair.
The rack is made in such a way that the rods from it to the wheels go from the middle in one direction and the other. Usually rods are attached from the rack on different sides, but here it is in the middle and the middle of it goes left and right. This is a very interesting design solution.
Lada Kalina Sport configuration
| Equipment | Volume | Power | Consumption (city) | Consumption (highway) | checkpoint | Drive unit |
| Drive Active 2WD | 1.6 l | 106 hp | 8.6 | 5.6 | 5 MT | 2WD |
| Sport 2WD | 1.6 l | 114 hp | 10.1 | 6.8 | 5 MT | 2WD |
| NFR 2022 2WD | 1.6 l | 136 hp | 11.0 | 7.4 | 5 MT | 2WD |
In the cabin
There is quite a lot of space in the back seat. In terms of the quality of finishing, you can hardly expect expensive fabric, but overall everything is neat. Many people complain that there is no pocket where they can put something. Getting out of the back seat is quite comfortable.
Inside, the large inscriptions on the seats “Kalina Sport” immediately catch your eye. The seats are somewhat similar to the Forester STI.
The driver's seat does not have an armrest, but it can be installed separately as an additional option. Unfortunately, the seat height cannot be adjusted, but you can get used to it. The glove compartment is small with a shelf, but it has an input for a flash drive and an SD card.
The steering wheel is made in a sporty style: there are recesses for the palms, for greater comfort while driving, and is covered in leather with red stitching.
The car has heated seats, climate control, an on-board computer and a multimedia center.
By the way, the multimedia center is color and fully touch-sensitive. On it you can view photos, videos, synchronize speakerphone from your phone, music and radio. It has the Windows CE operating system installed, which can be upgraded to an on-board computer if desired.
Below is a small on-board computer. You can see many important things on it, but the most important thing is what it is needed for, look at the error code and understand what the problem is.
Engine
The sports version of Kalina is equipped with an electronic accelerator pedal, which has a very short stroke and non-linear characteristic. With such a pedal, the car begins to twitch when starting to move.
At low speeds (1000-2000 rpm) when you sharply press the gas, the car does not pull, as if it is choking on gasoline. When you release the gas or gently press the pedal, secondary engine vibrations begin.
Pronounced acceleration in Kalina Sport starts from 3000 to 5000 rpm. The tachometer needle is actively approaching 6000 rpm, and then the speed decreases, the limiter is activated at 6500 rpm.
Test Drive
A test drive of the Lada Kalina Sport showed that the dynamic characteristics are quite sufficient for a comfortable trip around the city. The manual transmission is quite simple, you get used to it quickly. The car turns normally, there are no problems.
The suspension is elastic. When driving fast on the highway, nothing rattles or knocks anywhere in the car, which indicates a high-quality assembly. The braking system here is more advanced than that of the simple Kalina. The rear brakes are also disc, but they slow down at a speed of approximately 120-130 km/h and perform well.
There's not much to complain about Kalina Sport. If you compare it with its exemplary classmates Chevrolet Aveo or Reno Logan, then they are not many times better than this car. The dynamics are normal and the controls are sharp.
Review, photos and video test drive of the Lada Kalina Sport car
After Vladimir Putin made his trip in a Lada Kalina Sport, almost everyone learned about it. Subsequently, a special type of coloring was even created, which was called “premier”. However, Lada Kalina Sport became interesting not only for this, but also for the fact that the domestic AvtoVAZ released a completely “different” car, which is more balanced and charismatic than the standard model.
The first thing that catches your eye when you get to know the car is its design, that is, the changes that it has undergone in comparison with the standard VAZ-1119 hatchback. The front bumper is quite developed, and in combination with the grille, it gives the Kalina a completely different look that attracts everyone's attention.
The rear wing, which is located above the trunk door, the decorative nozzle and the rear bumper give the car a finished look.
Moreover, the rear bumper, in which the diffuser stands out, does not look like a clumsy product of home-grown tuners. Kalina Sport now seems brighter and “angrier” than its standard model. But, despite this, the car has retained its unified appearance, a rather rare phenomenon if we consider the modifications of Russian cars.
15-size wheels fit perfectly into this exterior: alloy wheels and low-profile tires. There are also disc brakes at the rear!
Below are additional photos of the Lada Kalina Sport.
Lada Kalina Sport
Lada Kalina Sport 2
Lada Kalina Sport interior
Lada Kalina Sport salon 2
Lada Kalina Sport salon 3
If you look closely, you will be able to notice that the car's ground clearance has been reduced to 14 centimeters. For the sake of handling, the suspension is tuned towards the greatest rigidity. The new bumper gives Kalina Sport more and more aggressiveness, although the solid appearance still remains preserved.
The car's interior has some sporty notes. The instrument dials are white, the pedals are “aluminum”, and, most importantly, the front seats have a sporty look. They also have built-in headrests and developed lateral support. They look quite attractive, and in practice they are quite comfortable: they are much stiffer, they fix the body well, and do not allow it to “fall out” when turning. There is just one drawback: the car feels like a minivan, but in such cars you really want a low seating position.
The second drawback is the sound of the engine, which is absolutely no different from the standard sound. However, what you can’t forgive is for the sake of power and dynamics! The front seats look great. But the standard fit is quite high, and there is no way to adjust the height.
Kalina Sport offers two engine options: a 1.4-liter, 89 hp, which is installed on the standard model, as well as a 1.6-liter, which has a lightweight piston group from Priora.
Despite the fact that the Russian hatchback is still far from being a “rocket”, you can get great pleasure while driving it quickly.
If you move at the pace of city traffic, the engine will pull well at medium speeds. This allows you not to worry about choosing a gear. If dynamics are required, it will be enough to turn the needle on the taximeter at 3000 rpm. After the tires handle the start, fairly rapid acceleration occurs, continuing even after the speedometer mark exceeds 100 km/h.
The modified chassis also leaves a good impression. True, now Kalina has begun to recalculate every joint of the roadway and shake the driver a little on bumps, but, if you look from the other side, the energy intensity has been well preserved, and the car’s behavior on the roads has become more consistent. There have also been changes in roll when cornering, which has decreased significantly. Responsiveness to steering movements has increased. The car stopped “floating” during active lane changes and confidently adheres to the given trajectory on a high-speed arc.
During braking, especially if it is necessary to “dampen” a high speed, the modified brakes make themselves felt: the car slows down quite well. However, if you overdo it with the force on the pedals, the Lada just wants to show itself sideways. For some reason, ABS is not available here.
The most annoying fact is that, given all the improvements, the old drawback remains: a powerful electromechanical amplifier. It, as before, does not provide the driver with feedback, while the steering wheel becomes “empty” and uninformative. And if you add to this the changed gear ratio, then this becomes completely unpleasant, because now, with any movement of the steering wheel, the wheels readily “respond”.
But, despite all the shortcomings, Kalina Sport has one important advantage that elevates it above all foreign cars. In any case, even the “hottest” hatchback loses its dynamics and controllability over time. And here the desire immediately arises to throw up the “horses”, choose a “shorter” box, install a lock, reconfigure the suspension. So, if everything sports on a foreign car costs a lot of money, then all the accessories on a Lada will cost much less.
Review, photos and video test drive of the Lada Kalina Sport
3.8 car - Ratings: 34
Ticket to the future
The top of the line was, of course, the LADA Kalina NFR, which is said to have elements of real track cars. Of course, this is an exaggeration, but there is a subframe in the front suspension. It was developed by the sports department and even received a patent. The levers are attached to the subframe. In addition, telescopic shock absorbers, springs, and lower strut supports have been redesigned. And the engine has more horsepower, which improves dynamics.
I get into the car and notice several differences, the main one being the dashboard with rows of additional symbols. The on-board computer readings are displayed between the wells. Out of the corner of your eye you can see the oil temperature, etc.
New Lada: The serial Lada Xray was presented in Tolyatti. Photo – KOLESA.ru – automobile magazine
Engine power was increased to 136 hp. s., due to which acceleration to “hundreds” is now 9.2 seconds. I don’t know what the result is, but the handling of the Kalina NFR has increased noticeably.
I crawl out onto the snake and hit the accelerator. The car revs up its 16-valve engine and rushes into battle. I release the pedal while simultaneously turning the steering wheel. Kalina NFR reacts sharply to the command and rushes to the side. Roll is noticeably less than that of Kalina Sport. And it’s a pleasure to twirl on the snake. True, you still have to turn the steering wheel. The rack pitch remained large.
Two sisters
Motorsport is actively developing in Tolyatti. Everyone remembers LADA’s successes in the WTCC international championship last year. I want to imitate such daring. Fortunately, the engineering has developed a line of cars with a sports package. This practice was introduced by partners in the Renault-Nissan alliance and is now being introduced to the Volga banks. The new LADAs have a body kit, chipping and reinforced brakes.
LADA Kalina and LADA Granta are sold in Sport versions, and the top place is reserved for LADA Kalina NFR. It's time to get to know them better. And this meeting took place at the Dmitrovsky training ground.
Table
Now - ruble mathematics. The price of a standard 106-horsepower Kalina is about 450 thousand rubles. Imagine how much you need to pay garage craftsmen to at least bring it closer to the 118-horsepower “Sport” modification. Exterior, interior, engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels, and other little things will come up. Have you figured it out? So, Lada Sport deals a crushing blow to home-grown tuning: the price of the hot Kalina is 521 thousand rubles. Seventy thousand difference for the entire scope of modifications with a bonus in the form of a factory warranty! This is a knockout of commercialism!
I've driven a lot in modified Russian cars, some successful and some not so good. And I’ll say this: I’ve never seen such a balanced, factory-inspired and very affordable hot hatchback. Bravo, Lada Sport!
Softness is good
I slam the door and slowly roll out to the starting line. The instructor, out of habit, talks about the changes that have befallen the car. I’m concentrating on the first high-speed straight, where I need to evaluate the effectiveness of the disc brakes. Acceleration to “hundreds” of the car takes 9.5 seconds. I pick up the pace, squeeze the clutch and hit the pedal hard.
New Lada: The immobilizer icon flashes and does not start
Then - several turns with turns and a snake. I go around the first cone at about 40 km/h, and then I start rolling around with the steering wheel shifting. The rack with the amplifier is the same here, so you have to lay the steering wheel firmly on the sides. Sometimes you even intercept it with your palms. There are also rolls. “Kalina” falls a little during sharp rolls and unloads the rear outer wheel.
