Russian Lada has unveiled its new Lada Azimut model, a compact SUV with a beautiful and distinctive design. The car bears some resemblance to the Dacia Duster, with climate control features largely similar to those found in SUVs sold by the Renault Group.
The Lada Azimut features a dual-screen instrument panel (a digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment system) and a software interface developed locally in collaboration with Sber and Navio.
The Azimut features a rearview camera, hands-free door locking and unlocking, a virtual assistant system, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic roof, and a 360-degree view.
Technically, the Azimut is based on an upgraded version of the Vesta platform, with a ground clearance of 208 mm, a new rear suspension, and more than 1,000 modified or new parts.
The car is powered by a 1.6-liter engine with 120 hp and a 1.8-liter engine with 132 hp. Both engines are naturally aspirated and can be mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
There are no hybrid or electric versions of the model, as Russia is not a country that supports the trend toward electric vehicles, at least not yet. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to electric vehicles is the extremely low temperatures that are not conducive to the spread of electric vehicles.
The Azimut will be the flagship of the Lada lineup. Its price is expected to start at around €30,000 to €35,000, which is double the price of the Niva Legend currently listed in the catalog.
Obviously, the car will not be sold in Europe due to the current geopolitical situation. It will be 100% produced locally at the Togliatti plant. The Russian company AvtoVAZ, which owns the Lada brand, was part of the Renault-Nissan alliance.
Due to the war in Ukraine, many Western investments in Russia ended, and Renault left, leaving a large market, which is an irreparable loss.
