Lada Kalina has been mass-produced by AvtoVAZ for more than 10 years and even managed to undergo a good restyling several years ago. No matter how unflattering people say about this car, sales volumes indicate the popularity of the model. Maybe its appearance, especially the first generation, cannot be called a reference, but compared to all previous VAZ models, it is the most reliable and safe car.
To correct the situation with the unfortunate appearance of their iron horse, some car enthusiasts use various methods of modification. There are many options for modernization, but one of the most popular methods of external tuning is body kits. For the most part, these are alternative bumpers front and rear.
Installing the Kalina Sport bumper
You will need : bumper, Kalina Sport amplifier (standard amplifier does not fit), grilles.
Installation . Remove the stock bumper. Install the amplifier, and then the bumper itself with the grille. There will be no problems with installation, but you will have to abandon the towing eye.
Kalina front bumper (simple and Sport):
Rear bumper of Kalina (simple and Sport):
How much does a bumper cost for Kalina ? A Kalina Sport bumper in body color will cost 3,500 rubles (the cost of the front and rear bumpers is the same). Amplifier - 1000 rubles, and grilles 800 rubles. In total, Kalina’s complete sports body kit will cost approximately 8,800 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages of tuning
Car owners install body kits and, in particular, a different color bumper on Kalina not so much to improve aerodynamic characteristics, but to change the appearance. In general, not everyone thinks that the body kit primarily improves the streamlined silhouette of Kalina, correcting the shortcomings of the engineers who created the standard bumpers. In addition, other bumpers add individuality to the appearance, especially if they are made to order.
Alternative elements can be installed on any body variant of the Lada Kalina - it doesn’t matter whether it’s a hatchback, sedan or station wagon.
A well-chosen rear and front bumper can visually change the appearance of Kalina beyond recognition. It is quite possible that at a quick glance the car will look like a foreign car.
Installing a bumper on Kalina Ya Robot
When buying a non-standard bumper, you should keep in mind that not everything will go as smoothly as with the Kalina sports bumper. Here are some points that may require improvement:
- the bottom of the bumper does not have plastic for attaching to the mudguards
- The bumper mesh is poorly secured.
- the holes don't match by a couple of millimeters
Installation . How to remove the bumper on Kalina was described above. When installing a new one, you will have to sort of pull it onto the car, and this is not easy, because there is no comfortable grip. We also do away with the towing hook, as well as the booster.
Price . The approximate cost of the front bumper is 3,200 rubles without painting, and 4,600 rubles with painting. It is worth considering that the paint coating is very thin, so it is better to paint the bumper yourself, adding accentuating lines of the grille or air intakes when painting.
Advice . The I-Robot bumper is several centimeters lower than the standard one, so it is more likely to break. If you fasten the bumper to the fenders with only one of the topmost screws, then when the “skirt” touches the bumper, the bumper will bend inward, because there is free play at the bottom of the wing. It is also recommended to cover the lower part of the bumper with a protective film to prevent damage to the paintwork. If possible, park backwards.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the bumper has large dimensions, so its transportation will require additional investment. By the way, alloy wheels harmonize well with Kalina’s tuning body kit.
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Characteristics of Kalina bumpers of the first and second generation
If this is a standard option, it is made of the most inexpensive material. Typically, ABS plastic is ideal for such purposes. This is a modern and practical type of plastic. Its main feature is flexibility. The material provides resistance to minor impacts and immunity to aggressive chemicals. For example, a bumper made of ABS plastic is not harmed by gasoline. It is not afraid of the destructive ultraviolet rays of the sun, and the surface has excellent adhesion to various paints and varnishes, such as car enamel or primer.
The material is universal in use, but has one significant drawback. At low temperatures it loses its flexibility and cracks easily. Therefore, in cold weather you need to be especially careful when dealing with various kinds of obstacles, as the material becomes brittle and easily damaged.
On the second generation Lada Kalina, a different material was used to make bumpers, namely fiberglass. Of course, we are talking about a modification of the Lada Kalina Sport. In fact, this is an analogue of ABS plastic, but its main disadvantages are excluded. Of course, its strength is not enough to withstand a serious collision with an obstacle, but it is still less fragile. But it also turns out to have a drawback.
Painting a fiberglass product is problematic, so it is better to entrust the painting of such an element to professionals.
Tuning of chassis and brakes
The Kalina's chassis underwent major modifications at the design stage. So it is rarely subjected to deep tuning. Basically, drivers are limited to these measures:
- Additional fasteners and support “sports” bearings of the SS20 brand are installed on the steering rack of the front suspension;
- The standard front struts are replaced with more reliable ones. Most often, racks from Plaza are installed;
- Springs with reduced pitch are installed on the suspension. This allows you to improve the car's handling;
- Kalina's standard brake discs are replaced with sports ones, the diameter of which is larger. Usually drivers install wheels from LGR or Brembo. They are more than enough to ensure safe driving in an aggressive style;
Work on the appearance of "Kalina"
Tuning the appearance can also be divided into several stages.
Replacement of wheel rims. Almost all motorists remove the standard steel wheels from the Kalina and replace them with cast ones. They are much more beautiful. But at the same time they are practically beyond repair. After a strong blow, such a disk cracks, and all that remains is to throw it away. There is one more nuance associated with disks: experts do not recommend installing disks with a diameter exceeding 14 inches on the Kalina. Too large discs have a detrimental effect on the aerodynamics of the car and reduce braking efficiency.
Installation of body kit. This word here means a set of bumpers, arches and sills purchased from a specialized tuning studio. Most often, Kalinas are equipped with kits from EL-Tuning, which has two advantages: a wide range and an affordable price.
Installation of spoilers and roof rails. The driver can either purchase spoilers or make them himself. These parts can be made of plastic, carbon, polyurethane foam and other materials. At the same time, the influence of the spoiler on the aerodynamics of the station wagon body is minimal. They are needed only to improve appearance. Rails are metal strips in a plastic shell that are attached to the roof of the car. There is no need to make them yourself, since any auto parts store has a wide range of these parts.
Replacing mirrors. Not everyone likes the standard mirrors on Kalina either. Therefore, drivers often change them to mirrors from Granta. The second option is also common - installing special overlays that completely change the appearance of standard mirrors. They are made from both chrome steel and plastic. Sold at tuning studios. Cost - from 700 rubles.
Replacing door handles. The standard handles on the Kalina are plastic, and it’s difficult to call them beautiful. Drivers replace them with more presentable handles, deeply recessed into the door. Most often they are painted to match the body color. But they also come in chrome, a set of which costs from 3 thousand rubles.
Interior tuning
Car owners also make a lot of changes to the Kalina’s interior.
Replacement of upholstery. The standard interior trim in Kalina is a combination of plastic inserts and leatherette. Many tuning enthusiasts remove the tabs and replace them with leatherette. Connoisseurs of comfort also get rid of leatherette, replacing it with velor or carpet. These materials can transform the interior, but they cannot be called durable. Genuine leather is also used for finishing. But this option is only available to very wealthy drivers, so it is extremely rare.
Replacing seats. When a car undergoes deep tuning, it rarely happens without replacing the standard seats with sports ones. They are more suitable for the aggressive driving style for which the car is being prepared. Anatomical Kalina-Sport seats with high headrests and back support are in great demand. The cost of one such seat is from 7 thousand rubles.
Dashboard and steering wheel trim. To add individuality to the dashboard, Kalina owners usually use vinyl film. Film painted to look like carbon is in particular demand. It looks very stylish on the dashboard. But there is also a minus - after 5 years, even the highest quality vinyl film becomes unusable. As for the steering braid, you can purchase it at any specialized store. The range of braids is now very wide.
Additional interior lighting. For illumination, various LED strips are used, connected to the vehicle’s on-board network. The cost of one such tape is from 400 rubles. Most often, additional lighting is installed on the floor of the car. Its purpose is not only aesthetic, but also practical: if the driver drops some small item on the floor of the cabin, it will not be difficult to find it. Drivers also illuminate the door handles inside the cabin using the same diode strips. This is a relatively new direction in tuning, which is quickly gaining popularity.
The standard headlights on Kalina are equipped with optics from BOSCH, and they work well. Here's what those who still want to change something in the lighting system do:
- replacement of optics in headlights. To replace the “native” optics, optical kits with white xenon illumination are installed, which are freely sold in almost all spare parts stores. But when installing such a kit, the driver must remember: he does this at his own peril and risk. These headlights produce a very powerful luminous flux that can blind oncoming drivers. And the traffic police officers really don’t like this. This is why many car owners slightly dim the backlight using special sprays;
Selection of bumpers for Lada Kalina
There are several options, depending on the body style, including standard models. When purchasing such products, you should take into account the features of the body, since, for example, a sedan has structural differences when compared with a hatchback and station wagon, and vice versa. Selecting bumpers and other body kit elements for Kalina is not difficult. The model is popular, and a large number of external tuning options have been created for it to suit every taste.
For example, the most popular option among car owners is ABR Samurai bumpers and moldings. With this body kit you can create the appearance of a Subaru Impresa. The elements improve the aerodynamic characteristics of Kalina no worse than the bumpers on Kalina Sport. Similar body kits can be selected for hatchback, station wagon and sedan, as well as for the Kalina Cross version.
As for the station wagon, it is quite difficult to find good bumpers to replace the standard ones. The fact is that this body type was created as a family car and tuning it is not entirely appropriate. A station wagon will look ridiculous with an aggressive sports body kit. You can install bumpers from a sedan or hatchback, but this will not give the required effect. To select a front or rear bumper for a Kalina station wagon, it is better to turn to the experts in their field. There are few truly professional showrooms, but this is where they will install and manufacture bumpers that will ideally harmonize with the features of any body.
For other bodies, it is also worth approaching the choice of body kit in general wisely, so that the result of the work does not cause ridicule from others. It is generally not recommended to engage in amateur activities in such a matter, otherwise the most harmless thing that will result is an absurd appearance.
Incorrect selection of body kit will lead to the car being unstable when driving at high speed, which can cause an accident.
Trunk and doors
There is also room for improvement in the doors and trunk of the Kalina.
Trunk light. The standard luggage compartment lighting in Kalina has never been particularly bright. Drivers solve this problem either by replacing the standard light bulbs with more powerful ones, or by installing LED lighting on the luggage rack.
Audio system installation. Music lovers often place speakers and a large subwoofer in the trunk to more accurately reproduce low frequencies. But after installing such a system, nothing else will fit in the trunk. So this tuning option is suitable only for real music lovers. Many people try to compensate for the lack of space in the trunk by installing a luggage box on the roof of the car. But this is a big mistake. Additional luggage space appears, but all efforts to tune the car go to waste. The box literally “presses” the car to the ground. An optical illusion occurs, and it seems that the car has become much lower.
Replacing door cards. Standard door trim panels can be replaced with more presentable and beautiful ones. Door cards are also changed when powerful speakers are installed in the doors. In this case, the panels will have to be seriously modified by cutting additional holes in them. Be that as it may, there is no shortage of door cards today. In the store you can purchase a set for every taste, color and budget.
