There is hardly any need to talk once again about Russians’ distrust of the domestic auto industry. Too many failures and mistakes have been made by engineers and designers. Nevertheless, in 2015 the premiere of the domestic car Lada Vesta took place, which was supposed to become a bestseller, along with the X-ray crossover. Let's take a closer look at whether a manual car is worth the money. The Lada Vesta, about which there are already more than enough reviews, is a rather interesting car, both externally and internally.
Some general information
First of all, I would like to note that there is no automatic transmission for Vesta as such. The management stated that if it is implemented, it will only be in a few years. It is quite possible that sales will not go as expected, so installing an automatic transmission will not be advisable at all. Therefore, at present it is possible to buy a car only with a manual transmission. "Lada Vesta", reviews of which will be discussed in this article, is truly a big leap forward for the domestic automobile industry. Of course, to catch up with European and Asian competitors, you will have to work hard, and it will take quite a lot of time.
But we can already say that some success has been achieved. The design of the car attracts attention, but it is quite difficult to call it unusual. As for the interior, there are several more interesting details here than on the outside. Regarding the technical part, this is an ordinary sedan, which is unlikely to be driven, because there are only 2 engines to choose from: 1.6 and 1.6 liters from Nissan. Both of them are equipped with a manual transmission.
Lada Vesta salon photo
But perhaps this photograph of the Lada Vesta interior is the most valuable, since it shows the interior of the production version of the car, most likely the basic version, since there is no touch monitor. There are also no silver inserts, and the gearshift lever is clearly from a conventional mechanics. Actually, this is how the cars will be sold in November 2015.
A little about the car's exterior
The first impression of any car is formed by its appearance. As for Vesta, its design is somewhat similar to Volvo. This is not surprising, because a former Volvo employee took part in the development. Nevertheless, there is something to see here. One of the stylistic features is the presence of zigzag stamping on the side parts of the car. As for the optics, there is some angularity as well as elongation. The car has a predatory look, which is only a plus. As for the rear lights, they can be called quite ordinary. Although they could have been made a little larger, since against the background of the massive rear of the car they look somewhat awkward.
The designers and the emblem have been slightly altered. On Vesta, the boat became noticeably wider, and the sail was divided into several lines. In general, this perfectly decorates the Lada bumper. Well, now let's go further and look into the interior of the car.
Briefly about the interior
As for the interior, the first impression largely depends on the vehicle’s equipment. Of course, even the basic package has everything you need. However, the whole essence is revealed in the most expensive version. There is also a modern multimedia system. Many motorists praise the sound and say that it turned out to be very decent. The wide touch panel in the center of the dashboard looks great. But it is needed here not only as decoration, but to perform a number of tasks, such as sound control, navigation, etc.
The designers used plastic that was moderately hard and durable. The seats are combined, made of fabric and leather. The dashboard also looks rich. You especially pay attention to the color scheme, which turned out to be quite successful. The combination of green and white looks great. The eyes do not get tired, because the colors are saturated, but not bright, and if necessary they can be adjusted. Most motorists were satisfied with the interior, reviews indicate this. Lada Vesta (manual) does not have an electrical package as standard. It is only available in Lux, which is rather a minus, but it was to be expected.
"Lada Vesta" (mechanics): reviews from owners
The first and main thing Vesta drivers pay attention to is the transmission. Many motorists would like to be able to purchase a car with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no such possibility. A 5-speed transmission is currently being installed, which was borrowed from. Thanks to the use of the French MPKK, it was possible to significantly reduce vibration and noise levels, which directly affected the level of comfort in the car while driving.
Drivers also note that the Renault manual transmission is quite reliable and perfectly adapted for operation in the Russian Federation. True, the installation of such a transmission somewhat affected the final cost of the car, but, according to the designers, it was worth it. The manual transmission is assembled at the Tolyatti plant. They also plan to install a robotic gearbox in the future, which has been installed on the Grant for a long time. She has been tested and showed her best side.
Vehicle powertrain
The motors installed on Vesta comply with modern Euro-5 environmental standards, so there is no need to talk about their environmental friendliness once again. Drivers are more interested in reliability and engine choice. The base comes with an 8-valve internal combustion engine with a capacity of 87 horsepower. But most experienced drivers prefer to buy a car with a new 16-valve 1.6-liter engine with a power of 106 hp. With. According to many, this particular power unit can be considered optimal. The top-end 1.6-liter engine from the Nissan Sentra boasts a power of 116 hp. s., but will cost a little more.
The developers are already working on the Lada Vesta 1.8 (mechanics). Reviews of this powertrain cannot be found as it has not yet been released. As for power, most likely it will not exceed 130-140 hp. With. But this will be quite enough for a comfortable dynamic ride. In general, motorists prefer to choose a 1.6 engine with a power of 106 hp. With. He is not such a “vegetable” as 87 liters. pp., but also easier to maintain than its more powerful counterpart.
Test drive Lada Vesta with manual transmission
Details Category: Test drive Published 12/27/2015
Yesterday a presentation of the Lada Vesta took place in Naberezhnye Chelny. We took the first test drive of a Lada Vesta with manual transmission . More on impressions below.
Let us remind you that we recently talked about our emotions after a test drive of a Lada Vesta with a “robot” in Kazan. Yesterday we visited the Auto-1 car showroom, where a presentation of the new product took place in Naberezhnye Chelny. During the presentation, a recording was made for a test drive of a Lada Vesta with a manual transmission . Of course, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to compare the Lada Vesta with a “robot” and a manual transmission.
We had to ride this white beauty.
Compared to other test cars, Lada Vesta looks special.
A short paperwork procedure and we go for a test drive.
We have already talked in detail about the convenience and settings of the workplace while driving Vesta.
This time we got a car in the “Comfort” configuration - this is an average configuration: without a rear view camera, touch monitor and other options.
The car is equipped with a 1.6 liter VAZ engine with a power of 106 hp. It is paired with a new five-speed manual transmission, created by AVTOVAZ in partnership with the Renault-Nissan alliance.
After warming up the car a little, we set off for the trip.
What can we say about the “mechanics” on Vesta ? It is qualitatively different from everything that was previously on Lada cars. The lever strokes are not very short, but clear. The lever itself fits comfortably in the hand.
Vesta uses a cable-driven gearbox. You will say that cable-driven gearboxes have long been installed on the same Kalinas and Grants. Yes, but even compared to them, the “mechanics” on the Vesta are clearer, and the gear shifts are smoother.
But the most pleasant difference between the “mechanics” on the Lada Vesta is the sound. Or rather, its absence. Anyone who has driven a Lada car at least a little probably cannot forget these transmission sounds - hum and howl, especially in 2nd gear.
Subconsciously, we expected the same from Vesta. Fortunately, we were wrong. Even when switching from 3rd to 2nd gear with a shift, the box does not make any sounds when releasing the clutch. And the engine noise does not bother the driver and passengers. All this completely erases from your mind the idea that you are driving a domestic car.
By the way, the clutch drive here is also different from the traditional one on VAZ front-wheel drive cars. There is no longer a cable drive, but a hydraulic clutch drive. The pedal has a fairly long stroke and allows you to handle it quite casually - the car still moves off smoothly and without jerking. Again, let's remember the owners of Kalin, Prior and Grant. Remember that annoying clicking sound when you release the clutch pedal? This is how the clutch cable tensioner mechanism installed on the clutch pedal works. Since the clutch drive on Vesta is hydraulic, there is no cable, and therefore no clicking mechanism either. Another plus for acoustic comfort in the cabin.
As we expected, the “mechanics” on Vesta allow you to dose the thrust very accurately. It realizes the potential of the 106-horsepower engine much better than the “robot”. You can drive economically, shifting at medium engine speeds, or you can easily accelerate in 2nd gear to 60-70 km/h. Even with such acceleration, the sound of the engine entering the cabin is muffled—we give Vesta a solid “five” for the sound insulation of the engine compartment.
The anti-rollback protection system also showed itself to be excellent - when you engage a gear and release the brake pedal, the car is held motionless for another 2 seconds, which allows even inexperienced drivers to set off without rolling back.
Let's summarize. As we thought, the manual Lada Vesta more than the robotic one. It is both cheaper than the “robotic” version and more pleasant to operate.
About the packages
There are currently three configurations available for sale:
- "Classic";
- "Comfort";
- "Lux".
The basic configuration is a practically “empty” car in terms of filling. Motorists very often focus the attention of potential buyers on this. But even here there are already options such as L-shaped rear seat cushions, tilt steering, as well as passive and active safety systems. The “Classic” package includes audio preparation.
The “Comfort” revision is not much different from the base, although there are minor changes. More interesting is the luxury package. In this case, the car will be equipped with a rain sensor, heated side mirrors, seats, windows, and will also have parking sensors with a rear view camera. But that's not all. The most attractive thing is the advanced audio system with a large number of settings. Many drivers who have already bought this car advise spending money on a “Lux”, and leave corresponding reviews about it. A manual Lada Vesta in the basic and maximum configurations are two different things.
What is the difference between the cars?
In the station wagon, the rear side doors have been enlarged and the roof has been raised, so there is more room for passengers. The sedan does not have disc rear brakes found on the SW, with the original version of springs and shock absorbers. A special distinctive feature is the new paint job – bright orange. This color is not intended for other brands.
The station wagon has it, but the sedan does not:
- Locking hatch for drainage on the gas tank.
- Buttons to open the trunk lid.
- Armrests.
- Cup holders.
- Charging connectors for rear passengers.
- Heated rear seats.
The SW equipment looks more impressive and richer. For example, such components:
- Side pillows.
- Heated windshields.
- Sensors for light and rain.
- Alloy wheels.
Besides everything, the Vesta station wagon costs more than the sedan.
Is it worth the money?
This is precisely the question that interests potential buyers of the Lada Vesta. The thing is, reading reviews can be confusing. Some drivers believe that for this money it is better to buy an already proven Solaris or Rio, while others are more inclined to buy a domestic car. If we talk about prices, today for about 640,000 rubles you can buy a Vesta in the maximum configuration, and the same Solaris only in the base version. But a completely different question is “What is better?” Domestic engineers tried to make the car competitive in this price range. Apparently it turned out great. After all, the build quality here is at a high level. This is partly due to the fact that both designers and Nissan took part in the development. This made it possible to create a “people's car” that would be very reliable and durable. Therefore, such a machine is definitely worth the money spent on it.
Common features of the two models
In addition to the modern look and comfort, the sedan and station wagon still have a lot in common:
- Presentable appearance.
- Dashboard brightness.
- The floor, trunk opening with rear bumper and lights are unchanged.
- Installation of climate control of one system.
- Multifunctional steering wheel.
- Equipped with a powerful gasoline engine.
- Good handling and maneuverability.
- Reliable security system.
- Both cars are designed to overcome the difficulties of Russian roads.
- Ready for high-speed traffic.
- High level of build quality.
In both the sedan and the station wagon, the trunk size remains the same. But there are now compartments for various small things, so there is something to surprise drivers.
A little about the benefits
Let's take a look at the reviews from car owners. The manual Lada Vesta, according to most, is a relatively economical and easy-to-maintain car. As for fuel consumption, in the urban cycle it is about 10-11 liters. In fact, for a 1.6 engine this is not such a good indicator, but it can be called moderate. They also often focus on the chassis. The car responds really well to the slightest movements of the driver. The suspension is reliable and “swallows” most of the unevenness of the road surface. Motorists also appreciated the ground clearance of 178 mm. This is extremely important when operating a car in the Russian Federation.
About the target audience
The constructors and designers were faced with a rather important task - to make sure that the car was in demand among a wide circle of the population. Achieving this is not so easy, but, as it turns out, it is quite possible. The interior of the car is very spacious, despite its small dimensions, so it is perfect for family trips. At the same time, a modern interior with a good audio system and a stylish appearance are an excellent choice for young people. In general, the developers expect that people between 25 and 45 years old will buy the car.
Universex
The cargo-passenger Vesta has entered production, sales will start in the fall. And if the sedan became the new face of Lada two years ago, then the Vesta station wagon is definitely its new body. The national economic term “body type” is completely inappropriate here; the English version is much more accurate: Vesta has a new body style. This is the sexiest domestic car since the G8!
Westonomics
Our auto industry has always taken a pragmatic approach to the creation of station wagons: cargo-and-passenger Muscovites, Volgas and even Chaikas were born in order to immediately become ambulance, delivery or ritual transport. For four decades, the universal Lada Zhiguli was dressed according to the patterns of the Fiat 124 Familiare model. And even the relatively modern “eleventh”, Priora and Kalina inherited this proletarian boxy style. And Vesta is sexy.
Why did former AvtoVAZ President Bo Andersson decide in the spring of 2015 to postpone the launch of the Vesta hatchback and focus on the version with a cargo-passenger body?
AvtoVAZ's initial strategy envisaged that a hatchback would appear after the sedan. But the five-door body needed a serious transformation (the rear overhang was supposed to be shortened by about 150 mm), and demand would have to be shared with the XRAY model. It is not surprising that Vesta Hatch was recognized as the weakest link.
But the concept of a station wagon with a unified floor from the sedan looked more logical. The body below the sill line required almost no redrawing, and the floor, the lower part of the trunk opening, the bumper and even the lights remained identical. True, with this approach it is problematic to make the trunk much larger than the original one (for the sedan it is 480 liters), and besides, a high threshold remains in the opening. And you also need to elegantly marry the “bottom” of the sedan with the new “top”. But here the experience of Steve Mattin, who spent most of his career in countries where any designer is ready to draw a “car” even with his eyes closed, came in handy.
Vesta Cross differs from the basic sedan and station wagon in its bumpers, protective apron around the perimeter of the body and suspension
— We didn’t intend to make Vesta a “cargo carrier”: that’s what Largus is for. Therefore, the result was an atypical station wagon - dynamic and sporty. This is a completely new segment for us, which has nothing to do with the “classics,” says Mattin.
By the way, for the same reason, the option of calling the Combi was not considered, despite the fact that, as in the case of the Granta-liftback, it would also suit Vesta. As a result, it was named in the Western style - Vesta SW, that is, station wagon, although no nameplates separately indicating versatility are provided.
Compared to the sedan, about 60 new parts have appeared in the body structure, including reinforcements, which should maintain body rigidity after removing the shelf behind the second row of seats. The frame of the rear door window has become higher (the opening has also increased), the roof is flatter, which means that, unlike the Vesta sedan, there should be an acceptable amount of space above the heads of the rear passengers. The C-pillars are angled forward almost like a hatchback, and the fifth door connector runs along the top of them, outlining a shark fin.
In terms of body length and width, the base station wagon is identical to the sedan, but 15 mm higher. Vesta Cross is raised by another 25 mm and slightly wider due to the wheel arches
As a result, looking at Vesta, it’s hard to escape the thought that the designers and marketers wanted to make not so much a roomy station wagon, but a compact SUV. This is especially noticeable in Vesta Cross.
The “cross” version will go on sale simultaneously with the base station wagon, from which it is distinguished by a plastic body kit, 17-inch wheels and ground clearance increased from the base 178 mm to 203 mm! Therefore, if an ordinary station wagon finds itself in a company with cargo-passenger versions of Ford Focus and Kia cee'd cars, each of which it is inferior in size, then the Vesta Cross can already be compared with the Renault Duster crossover: the Lada surpasses it in both length and ground clearance!
Towards the variator?
AvtoVAZ has not yet officially released information about engines and transmissions, but it’s hard not to notice the 1.8 nameplates on the rear of both station wagons. Under the hood of the Vesta sedan, this engine develops 122 hp.
, but still only works in tandem with the AMT “robot”, although on the XRAY crossover a “mechanics” is also available with it (AvtoVAZ uses the French JR5-523 transmission). There are also unofficial signals that a manual transmission will appear on Vesta 1.
8, began arriving from Togliatti last year, so it is very likely that the station wagon will be the first to receive both types of transmission. And since the station wagon is heavier, the main gear will most likely become “shorter”.
The fiery color Mars suits Vesta Cross best, which will be introduced into the palette simultaneously with the launch of station wagons
And we can say with almost complete confidence that the VAZ 1.6 engines paired with the 2180 “mechanics” and the AMT-2182 “robot” will remain the base for station wagons.
But let’s not forget that AvtoVAZ is looking with renewed vigor for an alternative to its “robot” - export markets demand this. Among the options, a variator from the arsenal of the Renault Nissan alliance is also being considered (and it uses Jatco units), however, adaptation of the new transmission will certainly take a lot of time, and an alternative gearbox is unlikely to be ready by the start of production of station wagons.
A few important details
Around September 2022, the Lada Vesta 1.8 manual version is expected to be released. Reviews from owners of cars with a 1.6-liter engine indicate that this car will become even more vigorous and high-torque. But the appearance of an automatic transmission may change the situation somewhat. Even 1.6 has a very moderate appetite, and 1.8 with automatic transmission will consume at least 15 liters per hundred. Not every Vesta buyer will be ready for this. After all, now economical cars are still more valued, especially if you look at gasoline prices.
Rear suspension Lada Vesta
From the manual: Rear suspension with telescopic hydraulic gas-filled shock absorbers of double action, with trailing arms elastically connected by a transverse beam and an anti-roll bar, with coil springs mounted on the rear suspension arms.
1 – rear suspension arms; 2 – lower spring gasket; 3 – rear suspension spring; 4 – upper spring gasket; 5 – upper support assembly; 6 – compression stroke buffer with protective casing assembly; 7 – rear suspension shock absorber; 8 – rear wheel hub axis; 9 – brake drum with rear wheel hub bearing assembly
The rear has a semi-independent suspension (suspension with linked arms). It is based on the suspension from the Renault Zoo electric car. It was considerably modified, the beam itself was slightly lengthened. The springs are located under the side members, the shock absorbers are located in the arches.
Vesta rear suspension diagram: 1 — trailing arm flange; 2 — shock absorber; 3 - spring; 4 — rear suspension beam; 5 - trailing arm of the beam.
Differences in the suspension of the Lada Vesta station wagon:
- Lada Vesta SW - different rear springs, 9 mm larger.
- Lada Vesta SW Cross - different shock absorbers and springs, different suspension settings. The track is 14 mm wider.
In our opinion, AVTOVAZ has managed to accomplish a miracle over the past 30 years. The new Vesta suspension made the steering more informative, making the car comfortable and safe. This is confirmed by other tests of the production sedan. According to reviews from owners, knocks and squeaks appear in Vesta’s suspension after just a few thousand kilometers.
Keywords: front suspension Lada Vesta | Lada Vesta rear suspension
0 0 0 0 0 0
Share on social networks:
Let's sum it up
Overall, it turned out to be a very good domestic car. Reviews also speak about this. The new Lada Vesta (manual) now costs about 640,000 rubles in the maximum configuration with a slight adjustment. If we talk about the intermediate and maximum configuration, then the difference is 50 thousand. But it’s better to pay a little extra and enjoy to the full what domestic designers have prepared for us. The good thing is that the car did not receive harsh criticism, so the project cannot be called a failure. It is unknown how sales will go further. At the moment, Vesta has overtaken Volkswagen Polo and is confidently holding third place. The first place is occupied by Solaris, and the second by Kia Rio. It will be extremely difficult to catch up with these brands, because they have already won the trust of millions of Russians.
