The intrigue with the release of the new Lada line began with the demonstration of the Lada X Ray prototype. In principle, this model should have appeared first. But for a number of reasons Vesta became a pioneer. What is the reason for this decision? It is possible that the decision was influenced by the fact that the demand for a sedan in this class was higher. The variability and diversity of the expected range of configurations will allow us to thoroughly test the domestic market.
It's nice that the company's management took their job so seriously. In general, after Bo Andersson took over the leadership, the word “for the first time” absolutely fits many events. And the original design, and spy photos, the president of the country testing the Lada Vesta, and as the crown of history, the presentation and release of the car itself. Where, again, for the first time, a world-class car was offered to a Russian buyer.
When will the all-wheel drive Lada Vesta and X Rey go on sale?
Car enthusiasts who have acquired a taste for it, after the brilliant start of the front-wheel drive sedan, are looking forward to the announced crossover and Lada Vesta 4x4. There are no grounds for mistrust. So far, the company's new policy has not disappointed consumers and there is no doubt that promises will be fulfilled. What to expect from these “charged” versions? Why are these cars so desirable? The reasons are on the surface. The power of the car, and of course the price, which promises to be reasonable. The fact that the enterprise has reached a completely new technical level can already be considered a fait accompli.
A huge amount of work has been done to introduce the most advanced production methods. And most importantly, we have assembled a team that is unique in terms of professional training. This immediately affected the build quality. Products of high production standards come off the assembly line. Car enthusiasts will also be pleased with the variety of models. The upcoming all-wheel drive Lada X Ray Cross 4x4 becomes a hit even before its release.
A similar evolution awaits Vesta. 2016 promises to be very interesting, as presentations and sales of a number of new cars are planned.
What to expect in reality?
As for the Lada Vesta SV crossover with all-wheel drive, the story is the same. The full set of technical parameters remains a secret, with more questions than answers. According to knowledgeable people, all-wheel drive will function due to the installation of an engine with enhanced characteristics. In this direction, they predict a model from Nissan with a power of 118 “horses” or a domestic analogue from the sports version, the power of which reaches 140 hp.
According to forecasts, the modification in question should become easier to control, more dynamic and aggressive. The only thing that raises certain questions is whether the concern will be able to realize its planned prospects.
Characteristics of all-wheel drive versions of Lada
The exact date will most likely be announced in early 2016. Then they will probably announce the packaging for the first release. Many decisions will be made based on the results of an analysis of sales, wishes and requests of customers. Domestic motorists are not yet accustomed to such an attitude. Marketing research and surveys are already being conducted. It becomes clear that the demand for powerful domestic cars is great. Having abandoned the 11189 engine precisely because of its weak parameters, the front-wheel drive car of the first production is equipped with a VAZ 21129. But for a 4x4 layout this will not be enough. All-wheel drive Lada Vesta with the HR 16DE-H4M engine is a more feasible option.
The X Ray Cross will probably have a VAZ 21179 under the hood in its first release. The volume of this power unit is 1.8 liters, not much for a crossover, but this is just the beginning. We won't know all the secrets now. Surely, more complete information will appear very soon, and there will be further insider leaks in the form of videos and photographs. It will be all the more interesting to watch the development of the domestic automobile industry. Most likely, the interior will not undergo drastic changes. There will probably be improvements, but overall the interior has been decided.
The main surprises will be on the technical side. Interestingly, the Lada Vesta was placed next to the Kio Rio Hyundai Solaris. Despite the fact that Korean cars are somewhat more powerful, the overall impression in many respects is not in their favor. What competitors will X Ray fight for the buyer? In addition to being proud of the excellent design outside and inside, information about the car’s dimensions is also reassuring. Length 4315 mm. The body width is 1820 mm, with a height of 1625 mm. Short overhangs and a ground clearance of 210 mm imply high cross-country ability.
Nuances
In order to increase the cross-country ability of the expected new product, they decided to increase the ground clearance by several millimeters compared to the basic modification. The updated soft suspension will raise the bottom of the vehicle above the wheel base. Thanks to this transformation, the car can much more easily overcome problematic obstacles of various types. Interior equipment and innovations introduced into the interior are an issue that is practically not considered on the agenda.
It is worth noting that the luggage compartment will definitely increase in capacity, and the interior itself will become longer. Heated debates and discussions regarding the equipment and features of the Lada Vesta Cross SV with all-wheel drive are taking place on various forums and in discussion rooms of automotive experts. Any increased object of attention cannot avoid a similar fate, so the excitement is quite understandable, especially among domestic motorists.
Many of them consider this body design to be the most practical, justifying its current absence by the desire of designers to create a truly real prototype that will solve most problems with cross-country ability, comfort and cost, without neglecting the opinion of ordinary consumers.
All these disputes and assumptions give reason to think that the idea will not sink into oblivion, but will enter the real market. In fact, the off-road modification will become a very real alternative to Chinese and domestic counterparts, which are not so economical and practical. Time will tell who is right and who is wrong. In any case, for now there is nothing left to do but wait for the decision of the concern’s management.
Possible modifications of all-wheel drive Lada cars
The popular Renault Sandero Stepway and Duster models are often cited as competitors. But X Ray is more compact. So it will win in cross-country ability, which is very important for the Russian car enthusiast. AVTOVAZ President Bo Andersson has already announced that production of the X Ray will begin in early 2016. The Cross modification will be launched a few months later. This man does not waste words and no one doubts that promises will be fulfilled on time.
According to the production manager, Russians are expecting 4 versions of X Ray Cross. Which ones exactly will be known very soon. By this time, information about the all-wheel drive Vesta may appear. Then it will become known about other details and characteristics of the machines. In the same year, it is planned to expand the body series with a station wagon. The hatchback will appear a little later. Perhaps even in a year. This is explained not so much by production problems, but by the priority determined by the requests of potential buyers.
More details about Lada “Vesta” cars
Video of the “Big Test Drive”
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Without Vesta restyling, without Lada Van, without 4x4 crossover and without X-design: what will happen to Lada?
Recently, both Lada and AvtoVAZ as a whole have faced a number of difficulties, including financial ones. There are many reasons for this: a drop in the load on the Tolyatti conveyor with contract models, a loss of consumer interest in the Lada Xray, which we recorded back in pre-quarantine 2022, large losses of AvtoVAZ subsidiaries, and so on. In 2022, AvtoVAZ also left Europe, after which export figures also crept down. And this is the only difficulty that Olivier Mornay focused on in his speech, leaving the rest to the journalists.
Meanwhile, in answers to questions, the top manager touched on several important topics that give us an idea of the possible ways of development of the Lada line, or, more precisely, its “non-development”. Olivier Mornet clarified that no new models are expected in the line of commercial vehicles, not counting the long-awaited restyling of Largus. At the same time, the top manager confirmed that the company does not intend to introduce a van-type vehicle into the line. It follows from this that the Renault Dokker will definitely not enter the production line in Togliatti, at least under the Lada brand, although at the beginning of 2022 the project was not considered completely unpromising and appeared in the plans just like the Lada Van. Let us remind you that for some time the Renault Dokker was sold in Russia without much success - the car was brought to us from Morocco. Probably, AvtoVAZ took into account the experience of Xray and no longer intends to get involved with modern models based on the B0 platform, at least under its own brand.
While AvtoVAZ was thinking, Peugeot-Citroen did it: the production of the Peugeot Partner in Kaluga is in full swing, and passenger versions will follow the “Partner”
The restyled Vesta will definitely not appear in 2022, although work on the model, according to Olivier Mornet, “is proceeding according to plan,” and “the project demonstrates a good level of maturity.” We will probably see the updated car without the X-shaped design, at least in terms of the radiator lining and bumper. Most likely, the issue of restyling Vesta should be linked to the development of a new corporate style. Let us remind you that from January 1, 2021, instead of Steve Mattin, who worked at AvtoVAZ for nine years, Jean-Philippe Salard is responsible for the design of Lada. Olivier Mornet clarified that the recognizable features of the X-shaped style developed by Mattin will still be visible in the updated Lada models, but as time goes on, the less. Actually, this can be seen in the restyled Largus. Olivier Mornet expressed the hope that Jean-Philippe Salard will be able to present a worthy alternative to the X-shaped style.
At the same time, Olivier Mornet rejected the further development of the Sport line, clarifying that the existing models (Vesta Sport and Granta Drive Active) are quite sufficient. Let us remind you that these versions are produced not by AvtoVAZ itself, but by the Lada Sport company - assembly is carried out using the SKD-4 large-knot method. Lada Sport is fully owned by the domestic auto giant and from 2013 to 2022 brought AvtoVAZ more than a billion rubles in losses, so the reluctance of top management to invest additional funds is quite understandable.
There will be no frills like Vesta Sport in a station wagon: the sports line only brings losses to AvtoVAZ...
Finally, Olivier Mornet said that we should not expect an all-wheel drive crossover from the Lada brand. Let us remember that a few years ago they planned to equip even the Vesta with all-wheel drive, not to mention the fact that the brand’s plans included a compact crossover with all-wheel drive. However, Avtovaz has no need to spend money on these and other new developments: in conditions of total impoverishment of the population, consistent strangulation of importers by our government and constantly tightening requirements for localization, Lada models in their current form are guaranteed guaranteed and stable sales. Moreover, we can safely predict a further increase in Lada’s share in the Russian market. But this increase can hardly be considered a reason for pride...
Security systems
The company's engineers took great care of the safety of the interior and passengers of the Lada vesta sw, as well as the Lada vesta sw cross model. The car is equipped with an EBD auxiliary brake force distribution system that controls the brakes of the rear and front wheels, driver and passenger airbags, an ESC stability control program, and a traction control system.
In addition, the vest is equipped with an automatic unlocking system in case of an accident, an emergency alarm system, front and rear parking sensors, rain and light sensors, and door locking when starting to move (on reaching a speed of 20 km/h). Such options helped the Lada vesta sw and cross models show good results in crash tests - outperforming their competitors such as Hyundai or Kia.
