Journalists experienced LADA Priora with "robot transmission"

Belarus has completed a test drive LADA Priora with an automated manual transmission.

In tests "Priory" with the new transmission was attended by over 30 journalists, among them - 16 representatives of automotive publications, among which, of course, there was also the correspondent of "AvtoSredy."

Our test drive will appear on the site on Monday, but in the meantime we suggest to familiarize with the official press release of AvtoVAZ. So, bring a few reviews vazovtsy experienced LADA Priora with AMT test drivers.

 Alexander Kostyanov "AvtoSreda": "Our box is not inferior to foreign analogues."

Igor Burtsev, TV Samara: "I used LADA with three pedals, and now I tried LADA with two pedals. And I looked at it from a height of operating experience of vehicles with "robots" from the world's leading manufacturers. I can tell you about the AMT on LADA - surprisingly good ... Any car requires getting used to. If you get used to the AMT, the rapport develops almost at the level of a traditional automatic transmission. Given the huge difference in price, simple design, it turns out that the AMT - a very good option. "

Alexei Kovanov, AutoMail.ru: «I would like to see the box and on other cars, in particular, on the" Grant "and" Kalina "... During the test, we tried to get AMT working illogical, but we failed. Hence - the pride in the work of VAZ engineers. "

AvtoVAZ President Bo Andersson personally gave a presentation LADA Priora with "robot" in Minsk, and then test the new product with one of the journalistic crews.

"Automated manual transmission saves fuel, it is safe and convenient. Box AMT combines the properties of mechanics and "machine" - in fact, we offer two boxes for the price of one "- said Bo Andersson, after passage of a route.

"For nearly 300 kilometers of 16 Russian journalists automotive media check ride quality LADA Priora with an automated manual transmission in a megalopolis, country trails and a special forum - said in a release. During the test drive, the participants interacted with the engineers of AvtoVAZ, learning of the design trends. Members of the media highlighted the dynamics of the vehicle and its efficiency, ease of operation and reliability of the automated manual transmission in a variety of modes of movement. According to motoring journalists, LADA Priora AMT at the stated price from 428 thousand rubles, even in a falling Russian market is able to attract consumers. "

Prices LADA Priora with "robot" "AvtoSreda" found out in June of this year: a sedan with AMT - from 428 000 rub, hatchback - from 433 000 rub, wagon - from 436,000 p.

Note, most of the "blow up" yesterday News Network news about the price tag does not correspond to reality. Journalists somehow informed about 395 thousand, and about 480 thousand. Rubles for the most accessible version of a "robot".

LADA Vesta fully declassified

First pictures of LADA Vesta without any camouflage.

Photos published news portal autopareri.com . Most likely, the photos were taken somewhere in Europe. Please note that one of the test drivers LADA Vesta - Steve Mattin, the new chief designer of AvtoVAZ.

World premiere of held at the end of August this year at the Moscow Motor Show. In mass production sedan will go in September 2015 Its starting price will be about 400 000 rubles.

Judging by the photos, AvtoVAZ has created  a truly beautiful and modern car, the appearance of which is not inferior to the budget "Koreans" and "Europeans".

LADA 4x4 Urban was first introduced in Western Europe.

Car presentation held personally by the president of AvtoVAZ Bo Andersson. The premiere of the new version of off-road vehicle was held on August 9 in the German city of Stadtoldendorf at the 16th international meeting of European fans LADA 4x4.

During the introduction of new items Bo Andersson thanked fans LADA 4x4 for a special relationship to the legendary Russian SUV, which accounts for the largest share of sales of LADA cars in Western Europe, the press center of AvtoVAZ.

In addition, the head of the auto giant has promised to introduce in 2015 an updated version of LADA 4x4.

"We are grateful to all the assembled fans LADA brand in Europe. Loyal customers are making a huge contribution to the development and support of our brand. Exports to Europe for us is very important. We produce world-class cars and need to regain our place in this market. The competitive situation will gain strength in the segment of economy-class both in Russia and around the world. We are not afraid of competition and welcome it, "- said Bo Andersson.

Introduced in Germany car LADA 4x4 Urban differs from the known modifications of Russian SUV integrated into the bumpers, updated front end, tires larger dimension. New also received a comfortable interior and options - air conditioning, electric and heated door mirrors, electric windows.

16th International meeting of lovers LADA 4x4 became the most massive in the history of such events, brought together about 300 participants from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway. They arrived at the meeting of 150 Russian off-road vehicles of various model year.

Traditional meeting was organized by the club Lada Niva IG Deutschland. It is a community of owners LADA 4x4 operates in Germany since 2000 and has a membership of over 300 members from various countries.

In 2015, the club Lada Niva IG Deutschland plans to hold in Europe's largest parade of cars LADA, which will qualify for a new world record for such AUTOFORUM.

Became known the price LADA 4x4 with air conditioning

AvtoVAZ is preparing to withdraw the Russian market new equipment SUV LADA 4x4.

According to "AvtoSredy" at the three-door VAZ "vseprohodtsa" will air conditioner. We are not talking about the version of LADA 4x4 Urban, and an ordinary SUV.

The three-door model with a modification of the air-conditioning will be available in two trim levels "luxury", differing only color - one of them is made in the color "metallic".

According to their own information, "AvtoSredy», LADA 4x4 with air conditioning and metallic color will cost 388  500 rubles . SUV with air conditioning and pastel painting will cost 385,500 rubles .

In both versions, in addition to a new option, as there are constant velocity joints, the dynamic damper, bias circuit brakes, power steering, 16-inch forged wheels.

Information about the date of start of sales of LADA 4x4 with air conditioning yet.

New modification LADA 4x4 Urban , presented in June with "crossovers» Kalina and Largus, also received air conditioning, but the price of this version is unknown. But last week, "AvtoSreda" found the price tag LADA Kalina Cross .

In fact, many automotive media incorrectly reported timing of the appearance in the salons of the three new "Lad" , confusing the date of the premiere of "Largus" and "Urban". Recall that in September due to go on sale LADA Kalina Cross, in October - LADA 4x4 Urban and only in November - LADA Largus Cross.

Started selling LADA Kalina Sport

On Wednesday, August 6, in the sale the new LADA Kalina Sport, extend the line of sports "Lad".

The car is offered with a 118-horsepower 16-valve 1.6-liter engine, which allows up to 100 km / h in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 197 km / h.

Motor was updated intake and exhaust systems, and the original settings. A five-speed manual transmission with closely spaced gears and cable operated improves driving dynamics and has excellent clarity switching, the press center of AvtoVAZ.

"Acute" steering, reduced per20 mmdorozhny clearance coupled with gas-filled shock absorbers and 16-inch wheels provide low-profile, according vazovtsev, refined handling, increasing active safety. Sports style model created under the direction of chief designer of "AvtoVAZ" Steve Mattin.

At present, produced about 100 cars LADA Kalina Sport. They are sent to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd, Krasnodar, Grozny, Pyatigorsk and other cities, where work-authorized dealers LADA Sport.

Cost LADA Kalina Sport starts at 487,000 rubles .

"We are releasing new products in response to the needs and expectations of our customers. In August, we started selling LADA Kalina Sport. Autumn will be a new line of off-road vehicles - LADA Kalina Cross, LADA Largus Cross and LADA 4x4 Urban. And very soon, at the Moscow Motor Show, we will present our latest development - LADA Vesta, and its racing version - LADA Vesta WTCC », - said President of OAO" AvtoVAZ "Bo Andersson.

According to "AvtoSredy" to the list of sports equipment "Kalina" will include  airbags for driver and front passenger, ABS + BAS, seats in the "sporty", heated front seats, heated windscreen, electric and heated door mirrors, fog lights, parking sensors , rain and light sensors, air conditioning system, etc..

The fate of the 140-strong Kalina NFR information yet

In LADA cars may be new options

AvtoVAZ holding new polls among fans LADA to further improve its vehicles.

Auto giant interested if they need LADA 4x4 sunroof, and other "frets" - simplified navigation. Consumers are invited to answer a few questions.

Thus, the questionnaire devoted to the SUV LADA 4x4, Russians asked how they would react to the appearance of this model hatch with manual opening, as well as how much they are willing to spend on this option (from 15 000 to 30 000).

With the help of the second questionnaire experts AvtoVAZ want to find out - whether motorists are navigation systems, and if so - how often and by what.

Then comes the question: "How do you feel about the appearance of the possibility of using cars LADA simplified navigation system via a smartphone?". In this vazovtsy immediately decipher that they broke because of "screen smartphone in the navigation system, you specify the route, connect your phone to the radio set (p / a) of the car via Bluetooth, as a result of the motion of navigating on the screen of the instrument cluster appears Index maneuver (turn left or right, isolation ...), and the distance to it. Approximately 50-100 mVy get more and voice warning maneuver, uttered by a p / a car. "

The survey is conducted on the site of AvtoVAZ  in the "Contact Us" (button on the left - "Survey").

Employees of the largest domestic automaker are not the first time carried out similar studies of consumer preferences. It is thanks to the results of surveys of current and potential owners of the "Lad" AvtoVAZ management has decided to start production in the cross-version "Largus" and "Kalina", as well as a new all-wheel drive off-road vehicle modifications - LADA 4x4 Urban .

AvtoVAZ CEO Andersson aims to restore pride to Lada

Bo Andersson, a former top purchasing manager at General Motors, is the first non-Russian CEO of AvtoVAZ, which is now controlled by Renault-Nissan. Andersson, a Swedish national, is tasked with turning around AvtoVAZ's struggling Lada unit, whose sales have been hit hard by competition from Western brands. He spoke with Automobilwoche, a sister publication of Automotive News Europe.

How are tensions between Russia and the Ukraine affecting Lada.

Russia is our biggest market, not the Ukraine. Political instability doesn’t necessarily make our business any easier. On the other hand, a certain nationalism benefits us at Lada. And the weaker ruble helps us since Lada sources three quarters of its components from this currency zone.

How important are Germany and the rest of Europe to Lada’s business?

Germany is a very interesting market, but we do not have the right products for it yet. Our exports are now focused on Kazakhstan, the Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Belarus. We are also quite strong in Egypt and Tunisia, along with Peru and Nicaragua. We want to grow strongly in Europe with the new models I just mentioned.

You want to boost Lada's market share in Russia to 20 percent by 2016. 

How do you expect to succeed in a difficult economic environment?

Last year, our market share was 16 percent, and for the first half we are already at more than 17 percent. We are working on three core themes for future growth. First, we are improving the quality of our current models. Second, we will soon bringing out interesting derivatives of these models, such as a crossover version of the Kalina. And we are introducing three entirely new cars starting in September 2015.

What new cars are coming?

We are planning B-segment sedan: The new Vesta is Lada’s own development. It will meet European safety standards, will be capable of meeting the Euro 6 standards, and have a base price of 8,000 euros. We will also have the X-Ray SUV and the all-wheel-drive Lada X-Ray crossover. Both are based on Renault platforms and will offer impressively low fuel consumption, among other things.

Does Renault-Nissan want to increase its share in AvtoVAZ?

Renault-Nissan and the Russian government already own 74.51 percent of AvtoVAZ, in the form of the Netherlands-based Rostec Auto BV alliance. As far as anything else goes, the future will tell.

How will you increase profit margin to 6 percent in two years?

We unfortunately lost money over the last two years. That is why we are working hard on our fixed, material and administrative costs, which are too high. Our production volume is still too low. In 2013, we sold 530,000 cars worldwide. And Lada can still configure its pricing even more attractively in comparison with the competition.

Are you satisfied with Russian suppliers and their local value creation?

Yes and no. On one hand, Russia now has many high-performing suppliers. On the other hand, AvtoVAZ is too dependent on some monopolies. That is why I want to create more transparency and competition in supplier relations. For example, we could economically import certain auto parts from Turkey in the future.

What other automakers does Lada consider to be its benchmarks?

We can learn tried-and-tested principles of automobile production from General Motors. During my time at the GAZ Group, Volkswagen showed me that the Germans lead in engineering, in body stiffness, for example. Renault can help us in the engine and drivetrain area. In turn, Nissan stands for high quality. We are paying extremely close attention to the best concepts in each case.

What are your first successes?

We have focused on production during my first five months at Lada. We were able to reduce the hierarchical levels from nine to five. We have improved productivity by 25 percent and have increased our quality by 20 percent. In Togliatti, we build 2,400 cars a day – the figure should reach 3,000 by year’s end.

How important are alternative powertrains?

Lada can already point to successes in electric vehicles, and if we needed more from the technology – Nissan is the world’s leading company in this field. CNG and LPG engines are becoming increasingly important in the Russian market. Lada is very deeply involved with gas powertrains.

Does Lada need to develop in the growth markets of Brazil, India and China?

Not in the near future. We would rather focus on 10 core markets where we can be competitive. Our products are the key. We need to be somewhat stronger in Sweden, Norway and Finland, where the climatic conditions resemble those in Russian and many roads require four-wheel drive.

The Lada X-Ray concept previews the brand's new design.

In two years, which automakers will be among Lada’s toughest competitors?

I am convinced that we have to steel ourselves for intense competition from Chinese companies. Geely is already quite successful in Russia. Lifan as well. And we will naturally continue to compete aggressively against VW and GM.

What projects would you like to advance in the next six months and what is looming in fiscal year 2015?

First of all, I would like to bring pride back to Lada. We have many good employees who want to enjoy greater success in the auto business. As I mentioned, we are aiming for a 20 percent market share, a 6 percent profit margin and a positive cash flow in 2016. We will continue to hone our cost structures. And in the future, with all our body derivatives and powertrains, we will present something new every three months. The models do not need to represent large volumes. But they will be visually and technologically appealing. The Lada Kalina Cross, which is being launched in September, is one example. We expect people to say: 'Yes, it’s only a Lada.' But they should be very proud of it at the same time.

Source: Automotive News Europe