Lada Priora 3: what it could be and why it won’t come out

On the page all the details and latest news about the new body of the Lada Priora 2022 model year:

Will a new generation come out?
What could the new model be?
Model history;
Prices;
Specifications;
Video test drive.

The Lada Priora model of the Tolyatti Automobile Plant has experienced rapid ups and downs over its 11-year history, but the figure of 850 thousand cars sold (more than a million were produced) looks impressive even today. AvtoVAZ managers say that it was the Lada Priora that helped the company survive the difficult crisis years after the disastrous 2008, and this despite the fact that this car was not created from scratch and did not offer a unique design or modern technologies.

In fact, the Lada Priora has always remained a deeply modernized version of the famous VAZ-2110 model, which was produced in the 90s of the last century. At the same time, the peak of Priora’s popularity came in 2011, when VAZ managed to sell 138 thousand cars in 12 months and actually made the model the most popular in the country.

Lada Priora GTR (2021 - 2022)

Probably one of the blogger’s most phantasmagoric renderings on the topic of “Priors” in a new body appeared in a video with the so-called Lada Priora GTR. According to the author's idea, the new Priora should become a fundamentally new car that has nothing in common with the previous generation. The blogger prophesied that the new Priora would have a rear-wheel drive platform from the Infiniti Q50 and a Mercedes two-liter M274 gasoline engine with 211 horsepower (more powerful versions have a V6 with 405 hp). On the market, the new product, according to the author, had to boldly compete with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

Lada Priora 3

In fact, the image of the new Priora is Photoshop on Photoshop. As a basis for the “new product”, the blogger took renderings of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class prepared by designer Nikita Chuiko for Mail.ru, adding branded X-shaped stampings on the doors from Lada Vesta to the original drawing of the German car and copying the front end for the most part from the sports modification of this same models.

The result is a nice, but completely fictitious Lada Priora 3 with the GTR index. Why "jitier"? Yes, because the author of the video blog dreamed that the “revived” Russian “budget car” could later be equipped with a 3.8-liter engine producing 600 hp. from the Nissan GT-R, paired with a six-speed “robot” from the same. Allegedly, to compete with the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Audi RS4. One can only envy the author’s imagination!

Original render of Mercedes-Benz C-Class from designer Nikita Chuiko for mail.ru

As for the interior of the new Priora 3, here Viktor Stepanov did not overdo it with the virtual brush, simply replacing the logo on the steering wheel of the Chinese crossover FAW Bestune T77, presenting this creation as an image of the upcoming interior of the new generation Lada Priora 3.

Salon Lada Priora 3

But the blogger did his best with the text. There is also a virtual instrument panel with a 12-inch display, which is located under one visor with a multimedia system with a 14-inch monitor, premium interior materials (including aluminum and Alcantara), a panoramic lid, atmospheric lighting and more.

Lada Priora 3 as a Toyota Camry “killer”

While on yet another fantastic trip, Viktor Stepanov decided that it would be nice to make a domestic analogue of the Japanese Toyota Camry. For this role, in his opinion, there is no better candidate than the new Lada Priora. Using the original photos of the Renault Talisman, the Photoshop master turned the French car into the new Lada Vesta Priora with a slight movement of his hand.

Lada Priora 3

The new product, planned as a D-class model, “should have hit the market” in the first half of 2022 under the name Priora or Vesta Priora. Also, the author of the fictitious news did not rule out that the new product could receive one of the new names patented by AvtoVAZ: Tensa, Forta or Kayna.

The blogger also tried with variations of the body, also coming up with a universal version of the Lada Priora, taking as a basis the same Renault Talisman, but in a “barn” body, the front of which was also replaced with a “face” from the Lada Vesta.

Lada Priora 3

The interior is borrowed from the same model, but the fantasies about equipping the new 2022 product are already the author's own - a modern and high-quality interior, a fully digital instrument panel as standard, a head-up display, a vertical multimedia system screen on the center console, an air conditioning system, a full set of electronic assistants and other.

Salon Lada Priora 3

The author explains the reorientation of the new Priora 3 to the D-segment by the growing popularity of cars in this class. As engines, Stepanov came up with two options based on the gasoline 1.3 from Renault Arkana with boost options of 150 and 180 hp, and as a transmission - a six-speed manual and a CVT for a 150-horsepower engine and a robot for a 180-horsepower versions. Also, the blogger’s developed imagination “gave birth” to a version of the new “Priora” for the 2022 model year with a “renowned” 1.5 diesel engine with a power of 109 hp, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Chances of a new generation appearing in 2022

In 2012, when there were still 6 years left before the assembly of this car was stopped, and when the Lada Priora was undergoing its last restyling, representatives of the car plant hinted that the update would indeed be the last, and in 2016 the heir to the model would enter the market, which would try on the new form style.
It was reported that the new Priora will be similar to the Lada XRAY and will even receive new engines from this compact hatch. There was also an alternative point of view, the authors of which argued that the Lada Priora 2022 would switch to the Renault-Nissan platform and, after a generation change, would become a redesigned Logan. Let us remember that all this happened in 2012 - almost 10 years before the LADA brand would eventually become the property of the French concern, which was preparing to transfer other Russian models to the Logan base.

Lada Priora 3 based on Suzuki Ciaz

The catalyst for another crazy idea for blogger Viktor Stepanov was the global shortage of microchips, which hit the capacity of leading automakers, causing an increase in prices for new cars. Having come to terms with the fact that AvtoVAZ does not plan to revive the Priora as a sports sedan with the GTR index or even a D-class car, Stepanov decided that the car, already forgotten by Tolyatti engineers, could become the savior of the budget segment in Russia.

Photo of Lada Priora 3 based on Suzuki Ciaz

A new legend from a St. Petersburg blogger says that the new Lada Priora 3 will be built on the basis of the Japanese “budget” Suzuki Ciaz, which was once planned to be imported to Russia, but something went wrong. For the Russian market, the new Priora 3 2022 - 2022 model year will supposedly receive its own engine range. The basic one will be the VAZ 1.6 with 106 hp. paired with a five-speed manual transmission. A more expensive option is the Nissan 1.6 with 114 hp, connected to a Jatco JF015E variator. The blogger also dreamed up a diesel 1.6 from the Indian version of the Suzuki Ciaz - a “Fiat” turbodiesel with a volume of 1.3 liters (90 hp), as well as a “renowned” 1.3 with 150 “horses”.

Salon of Lada Priora 3 based on Suzuki Ciaz

On board there is a bright two-tone interior in expensive trim levels with wood-effect inserts, the ability to connect smartphones via the Apple Car Play and Android Auto protocols, and already in the basic configuration - air conditioning, ABS, ESP, airbags and heated seats. As an option for the new Priora 2022 - 2020, the blogger came up with such “extras” as: climate control, a full set of warm options, six airbags. The blogger even came up with a price for the new 2022 model - from 1,100,000 rubles.

We give it a “ten” for the idea, a “nine” for the text, and a “failure” for its complete separation from reality!

Lada Priora 3 as a frame SUV

They helped Viktor Stepanov come up with an extreme and no less bizarre tale about a Priora in a new body, this time an off-road one. The ideological inspiration was again designer Nikita Chuiko, who drew renderings of the new Priora as an SUV for the Mail.ru portal - the body here is standard, and the suspension and components are new. The idea is to create an inexpensive and reliable SUV based on a familiar and proven model for the Russian market.

Photo of Lada Priora 3 with frame body

And so, what do we have in terms of technology? Ground clearance increased to 22 cm, frame design, under the hood is a modernized VAZ engine with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 90 “horses”. The gearbox is a standard five-speed, the transfer case is reinforced from the Niva, and the rear is a continuous axle. According to the author of a humorous video blog, this should be more than enough for off-road trips to the country.

Salon of Lada Priora 3 with frame body

In the cabin, there are already two airbags in the base (optional - two additional side airbags), as an option - air conditioning, power accessories, height adjustment of the driver's seats, an audio system, heated steering wheel, windshield and seats. How about without a price? According to the visionary, the price of such a machine will be 850,000 - 1,100,000 Russian rubles, depending on the design, and the new product was supposed to enter the market in 2022. However, like other projects of the blogger from an alternative reality.

As you can see, Viktor Stepanov has no problems with imagination. But, perhaps, that’s enough St. Petersburg bloggers for today, let’s look at other projects on the “Priors” theme in a new body.

Model history

At the dawn of its life in 2007, the Lada Priora began quite modestly and entered the market in quantities of only about 1000 copies, but after 2 years it became a full replacement for the LADA 110 model
. Until 2012, AvtoVAZ managed to assemble such 650 thousand cars, and the latter were classified as restyled because they had a new front bumper, a different steering wheel and different rear-view mirrors. The only 1.5-liter 8-valve engine in the engine line then underwent some modernization.

A more thorough modernization awaited Priora in 2013, when improvements affected the appearance, equipment, and sound insulation of the body. In 2014, the model received a robotic “box” for the first time, but a year later the designers decided to return to the proven “mechanics”, moreover, it had a classic cable-driven gear shift.

A little later, station wagons and hatchbacks stopped entering the market, until in 2018 the history of the model ended with the release of that very last copy, decorated with balls.

Lada Priora in a new Vesta style body

“Loaf” of Exibita from the USSR: 11 rare factory modifications of the UAZ-452 with archival photos

Rumors about the appearance of a new Lada Priora with an A-shaped design, the idea of which belonged to the chief designer at that time, Briton Steve Mattin, have been circulating since the premiere of the new Vesta in 2015. Many expected a redesign of the entire model range of the Lada brand, and almost got it right, with the exception of the Priora, which, instead of a new “bow”, was liquidated from the assembly lines of a Russian enterprise.

Before Priora was discontinued, independent designers had three whole years to come up with a new look for Priora 3. Most of the artists had a common idea - “X” style, but the execution was completely different. Let's look at the most sensational drawings of the new Priora that AvtoVAZ could implement.

This idea for restyling the Priora belongs to an unknown author, who embodied the “X”-shaped style with more angular shapes than the Vesta, thereby making the designs of the new Priora more aggressive than the original. There are also rectangular fog lights, classic stampings on the sides, two-section optics at the rear and the Lada inscription between the lights. Obviously, AvtoVAZ marketers would not approve of this design of the new Priora - it is too similar to the flagship of the Lada brand.

Renderings of Lada Priora in a new body

The next work belongs to independent designer Nikita Chuiko, who prepared renderings of the sports version of the Priora for the Kolesa.ru portal. There were no radical changes here, but the “X” style is clearly visible here thanks to the updated bumper with tinted moldings and a contrasting red stripe connecting the “mustache” above the lip.

At the rear there was a small spoiler, diffuser, dual exhaust, false air ducts and a red reflector in the bumper - standard gadgets for sports cars. In addition, the designer widened the front and rear arches, which made it possible to accommodate larger wheels than those provided by the factory.

Lada Priora Sport

And the last work in our selection in the “X” style also belongs to an unknown author. Here, as in the render above, there are evolutionary changes to the standard “Prior body” - a new false radiator grille, bumper, updated headlights, narrow side mirrors with turn signals, tinted windows all around, large wheels with low-profile tires. At the rear there is a massive bumper, a pair of exhaust pipes with dual pipes and LED lights.

Lada Priora 3

Will there be a new generation of Priora 2021 or not?

In 2022, representatives of the Tolyatti plant announced that they were removing the LADA Priora from the assembly line and even organized some kind of celebration on this occasion, decorating the new body of the Priora of the last produced copy with bright colored balls and a poster “The Last One!”

And yet, the OTTS certificate issued for the model was valid until December 2022, so formally both the production of the car and its official sales could continue.

The news about the cessation of production of the new Lada Priora 2021 model coincided with another interesting event: AvtoVAZ announced the conclusion of a contract with the state represented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, receiving a large loan and promising in return to develop and launch 26 new car models on the market at once.

The period for fulfilling these obligations is 10 years. Perhaps the successor to Priora will be among these new products, although it will be called differently in order to be guaranteed to replenish the promised list.

Why there will never be a new Priora

Well, finally, we have reached the conclusion, where we will answer the question “will the new Priora be released in 2022 (or in 2022).” Spoiler: it won't work! Now for the facts why:

TOP 10 ugliest cars of all time: Quasimodo's private car park

The design of the model is completely outdated . The Priora itself (we are talking about a sedan) is essentially a very deep restyling of the VAZ-2110, the production of which started back in 1995. Despite the different design and thousands of new parts of the Priora compared to its predecessor, the “base” remains from the car of the last millennium. Okay, that's enough.
Demand for the Priora has fallen over the years —buyers have clearly noticed the car’s obsolescence. Towards the end of the model’s life cycle, only the sedan body remained in the Prior family, whereas previously hatchbacks, station wagons, and even “two-door” versions of this car were on sale. Not the least role in “finishing off” Priora was played by the new Vesta, which was better in everything.
Competition within the brand . The old Priora was aimed at the budget segment, where the Granta was already presented, the modern restyling in the “X” style of which was presented immediately after the Priora was discontinued. In turn, Vesta is positioned as a more expensive and comfortable car. The new Priora does not fit into this concept, and transferring it to a modern platform was not economically feasible.
Renault Policy . In 2022, Renault announced a new strategy - now, instead of mass production of new cars, the group will focus on profit. Part of the new tactics was the merger of the Lada and Dacia brands and the hasty sale of Daimler AG shares by the concern. Such decisions are not made overnight. which means preparations for this were carried out earlier. By the way, production of the Priora was discontinued two years after the French “adopted” AvtoVAZ.

These are the main reasons why there will never be a new Lada Priora 3 2022. The only chance for the Priore to be revived is if AvtoVAZ decides to use this name for a completely new model, which, however, is also unlikely, since every new ship requires a new name. Thus, AvtoVAZ already has patents for names such as Aura, Alta, Iskra, Mira, Avira and Sfera. Well, Priora, apparently, remains in history.

Original Lada Priora White Edition