Instead of the first version of the Lada Kalina, in 2013, car enthusiasts from Russia and neighboring countries received a new version of the car with front-wheel drive - Lada Kalina 2. Due to the popularity of the car, they decided not to change its name. The design and technical characteristics of the model were seriously modified and changed, which only affected the front-wheel drive car for the better; it became more modern, but, at the same time, remained easily recognizable among fans.
Lada Kalina 2 – advantages compared to the previous version
The new version of Kalina has received an excellent modern filling, which is especially noticeable in the full and most expensive luxury configuration. Taking into account the fact that the cost of the model has remained at an affordable level for the population and is in the range between the prices of Priora and Grant, such modern equipment has made the model competitive in the modern automobile market.
Having compared the photos and characteristics of the first and second versions of the Lada Kalina, it becomes clear that while maintaining the advantages of the previous model, the new version has significantly worked out the bottlenecks and introduced a lot of useful elements and additions.
Among the advantages of the new version are the following:
- Good ground clearance;
- Expansion of the cabin;
- Additional safety equipment for the driver and passengers;
- Increased comfort;
- Significant reduction in noise level in the cabin and others.
Exterior of Lada Kalina 2
Unlike the first version, Lada Kalina is now available in two body types: hatchback and station wagon; the sedan version has disappeared from the line; now AvtoVAZ offers to purchase a B-class sedan in the form of the Lada Granta. As you can see in the photo, the color range has expanded, adding blue, red and orange colors with a metallic sheen. Painting bumpers to match the body has become available in a minimal assembly.
The shape of the roof on the hatchback remained the same, but on the station wagon it was fundamentally changed and received, in addition, roof rails. The optics of the modified Lada Kalina received built-in daytime directional lights in the minimal version. A fairly large air intake on the front bumper is quite appropriate, given the most powerful power unit available for the new second generation Lada Kalina. The location of the rear lights remains almost the same as in the first version of the model.
The body of the new Kalina has become stiffer, and a frontal impact energy absorption zone has appeared, resulting in increased passenger safety indicators. Also, the body received galvanization on almost 40% of the surface, the overall dimensions of the model and ground clearance were slightly increased, which became comparable to the ground clearance of some crossovers.
Music
The owner receives a multimedia system with a seven-inch touchscreen display with two slots for SD and a USB flash card. It allows you to play photos, videos, audio. Videos can only be watched in one Windows Media format. You select a regular video, convert it to Windows Media format, load it onto a flash drive and watch it on the radio.
There is a microphone, you can connect a mobile phone via bluetooth. The radio in this car is loud. Need to adjust the bass, very good sound. There are no complaints about this Chinese radio. If desired, you can install an amplifier and add a subwoofer.
Interior of Lada Kalina 2
The available list of options for the new version of the model is significantly wider than that of its predecessor. From the initial assembly, an airbag and a seat belt warning warning light are available to the driver. Electric windows on the front doors are also available in the minimum configuration. Only hard plastic is used in the interior trim; soft plastic can only be found on the steering wheel and the climate control buttons are rubberized. In the glove box you can find a port for connecting USB devices.
In the luxury package you can find a seven-inch touch screen, air conditioning and full power accessories; there is also an airbag for the front passenger.
Although the resolution of the multimedia screen is small, the sensor works clearly and responds to commands immediately; the GLONASS navigation system is also built into the multimedia. In an expensive assembly, the front seats and windshield are equipped with electric heating, and the rear seats can also be folded separately, which cannot be done in the basic configuration, in which the rear sofa can only be folded in one piece.
The trunk volume of the new version of Kalina is 260 liters, it has increased by 10 liters compared to the previous sedan, and in the station wagon the luggage compartment can accommodate 360 liters without folding the rear sofa. You can open the trunk with a key; in medium and expensive configurations, you just need to press a button in the cabin or on the key fob. In any of the configurations there is a spare wheel in the luggage compartment.
As a disadvantage of any of the Kalina modifications, one can note the fact that the windows do not go all the way into the door; the rear ones generally stop after going a little more than halfway.
Salon and comfort
Inside the car, you can notice a more convenient arrangement of instruments on the panel, which now looks much better than in the first Kalina. It is now much more convenient to control the multimedia system and climate control. And the air conditioning system itself, available even in the cheapest versions of the car, has great functionality, not to mention the “Lux” configuration.
The dimensions of the cabin have not changed - however, five people could fit there quite comfortably before. But the trunk volume, although it has become a little larger, is still not comparable with similar parameters of foreign hatchbacks and even standard domestic cars. But still, there is enough space for several suitcases, but to transport potatoes from the dacha, buy a simpler car. The price for this car model is no longer the same as before.
Technical characteristics of Lada Kalina 2
The overall dimensions of the new Lada Kalina are as follows:
- Length – 4084 mm station wagon and 3893 mm sedan;
- Width – 1700 mm for both bodies;
- Height – 1504 mm station wagon and 1500 mm sedan;
- Ground clearance – 170 mm (when fully loaded – 145 mm).
Three power plants are available for installation on the new Lada Kalina, each with a displacement of 1.6 liters.
The weakest of the engines has proven itself well when installed on the Lada Granta; this eight-valve engine provides a power of 87 hp. With. and is equipped with a lightweight version of Federal Mogul brand pistons and connecting rods. The power of this unit is quite enough to move along city streets and avenues.
The average of the power plants with a capacity of 98 liters. With. already known to car enthusiasts from the Lada Priora.
The most powerful of the engines is the new 16-valve engine, also with a volume of 1.6 liters. It provides a power of 106 hp. With.
Both automatic transmission from the Japanese manufacturer Jatco and VAZ manual transmission with cable drive are available for configuration. Thanks to this, in domestic mechanics, gear shifting occurs quite clearly, and there is no vibration on the gear shift lever. This box can easily be called one of the best in the domestic auto industry. Automatic transmission is available for configuration with 87 and 98 hp engines. s., manual transmission is installed with engines of 87 and 106 liters. With.
In the new version of the Lada Kalina, an increased caster with minus camber/toe is installed on the rear beam. The steering uses a shortened rack, the use of which increases the vehicle's obedience on the road. Thanks to the modification or replacement of shock absorbers, stabilizers, silent blocks and springs, vibration in the new version of the Lada Kalina has decreased, the car has become more stable when driving, roll has decreased, steering obedience and smoothness have increased.
The equipment includes an ABS function with emergency brake assist, which can increase the safety of passengers in collisions, as well as an ESC function (driving stability control) to determine the angular and overall speed, pressure in the brake system. In extreme cases and when one of the axles skids, this system helps the driver cope with the skid by controlling each of the wheels separately.
Compared to the previous version, the operation of the ventilation and heating systems has been significantly improved. Using the joint work of temperature and solar sensors, changes in the vehicle's environment are monitored to maintain a stable temperature in the cabin.
Restyling of Lada Kalina in 2016
In 2016, the Lada Kalina underwent a slight restyling and, one might say, a new body, since not only the attachments changed, but also the engine shield was strengthened.
Lada Kalina Cross
In the new body, the off-road version of the Lada Kalina 2 has some differences. Thus, this modification is not available with an automatic transmission with any of the engines.
Lada Kalina Cross is not available in the basic Standard configuration; it goes on sale with the minimum Norma configuration costing 512.1 thousand rubles.
The configuration of the Norma crossover corresponds to the configuration of a hatchback with a set of Norma Comfort options. It turns out that with the same versions, the cost of a crossover and a hatchback differs by only 22-24 thousand rubles, but taking into account the fact that the crossover has a more capacious luggage compartment and increased ground clearance to 183 mm, this is not at all expensive.
Lada Kalina Station Wagon
If you need a voluminous body without increased ground clearance, so as not to overpay for the off-road version, you can purchase a Lada Kalina station wagon.
The cost of a family car in the initial configuration is 447.5 thousand rubles. At the same time, the difference with a hatchback in the same configuration is only 12 thousand rubles.
The same difference remains in more expensive trim levels.
The situation is the same with the prices of a crossover and a station wagon, only now a station wagon will cost 9-12 thousand rubles less, maintaining the same volume of the luggage compartment and receiving in return spectacular roof rails, which are included even in the cheapest package.
Lada Kalina Sport
This version stands slightly apart from the others and features different seats and a suspension that lowers the ride height to 150 mm.
As you can see from the photo, sporty notes appear in the exterior design. The difference in cost with the hatchback is almost 44 thousand rubles in the initial configuration, since the price for the Lada Kalina Sport starts at 551 thousand rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of Kalina 2, both testers and new car owners primarily highlight the original design. For decades, it was believed that beautiful cars are made only abroad, and the Russian auto industry lagged behind in this regard by at least 10–15 years, but now everything is not so clear.
It is worth noting the increased engine power and a different quality of the dashboard with a more convenient location of sensors and scales. An airbag is now even included as standard. The reliable suspension now has an increased service life and the front struts are now much more durable than those of most other domestic cars.
Now about the disadvantages of the new Kalina 2. The disadvantages include, first of all, the too noisy and already quite outdated eight-valve engine (in the “standard” configuration), then the hydraulic adjustment of the headlights (other cars have only had electric adjustment for a long time) and the lack on the dashboard sensor indicating the coolant temperature.
In addition, unfortunately, the quality of the Russian assembly is still “lame” - some small parts may be screwed carelessly or not tightly enough, and in some examples of the car you can hear the doors squeaking against the body while driving.
Options and prices for Lada Kalina 2 in 2016
There are several configuration options for Kalina, these are Standard, Norma Classic, Norma Comfort, Norma Comfort+, Luxury and Luxury Navigation. They are listed in ascending order of number of options and cost.
The basic equipment of the Lada Kalina Standard in 2016 costs 435.5 thousand rubles.
It includes the following options:
- ABS;
- On-board computer;
- One airbag (for driver);
- Power windows on the front windows;
- Steering column adjustment;
- Adjusting the driver's seat height;
- Electric power steering column.
The next most expensive option is Norma Classic, the price of which is 469.5 thousand rubles.
The following options have been added:
- Central locking with remote control;
- Air conditioner;
- Electrically heated rear view mirrors.
The Norma Comfort package will cost 488.3 thousand rubles.
Compared to the previous one, it also includes:
- Climate control;
- Airbag for front passenger;
- Electrically heated front seats;
- Standard audio system with MP3 and CD;
- Handsfree and Bluetooth.
The Norma Comfort+ package will additionally include fog lights, the cost of which increases to 507.2 thousand rubles.
The Lux package for 535.8 thousand rubles includes the following additional options:
- Rain sensor;
- Light sensor;
- Power rear windows;
- Wheels made of light alloys;
- Regular parking sensors;
- Electrically adjustable rear view mirrors.
The Luxury Navigation package differs from the previous one in the presence of a standard navigation system and an ESP stabilization system, while its price will be 563.8 thousand rubles.
More details about Lada “Vesta” cars
Problems, but where would we be without them?
To test all the capabilities of this “berry”, we took it to a completely ordinary training ground, marking the track with several cones, highlighting a snake, a long turn and a short section to evaluate acceleration.
So, let's get going, and oh horror! After the first couple of cones on a long turn, the car’s steering wheel became dead and refused to turn anywhere - an indescribable feeling. Several cones die the death of the brave, and a light comes on on the panel indicating a malfunction of the electric booster (well, at least they reported it - thank you!) The steering wheel dies, although it rotates heavily, allowing you to get to the end of the track, where the company engineer immediately responds to the complaint, trying to convince that, they say , the steering wheel was turned all the way for too long. A few minutes of useless debate, and the problem is solved by hard-resetting the system. As soon as we turned off and restarted the engine, the malfunction disappeared and, most importantly, stopped reoccurring, no matter how hard we drove the test subject. We never found out what it was, but the designers assured us that they would figure it out and even issue a press release. Well, let's wait.
