VAZ 2118 - the future of the Russian automotive industry

Now among motorists who are interested in AvtoVAZ innovations, there is a lot of talk about the Lada-Silhouette project. What kind of car is this? This car was first shown at the Moscow motor show in 2005.

Lada Siluet - front-wheel drive car, presented immediately in three body styles: VAZ 2116 - sedan, VAZ 2117 - station wagon, VAZ 2118 - hatchback. Specially for this project AvtoVAZ designers are developing a completely new front-wheel-drive platform. At VAZ 2118, it is planned to install a two-liter petrol engine, as well as an option for a diesel power unit and an automatic transmission. "Lada-Silhouette" is presented as a family car: it has an increased size, it has an interesting design of the exterior and interior, high comfort, high-quality materials, enhanced safety. Series "Silhouette", including the version of VAZ 2118, is planned to be launched in series production in 2015. Currently, crash tests of prototypes are conducted, which show 13 points on a 16-point scale on the EuroNCAP system.

Initially, it was planned to launch the VAZ 2118 and the entire Silhouette series back in 2012, but some experts say that in connection with the sale of a part of AvtoVAZ shares to the Renault concern, the project was frozen and postponed to 2015. This is explained by the fact that representatives of Renault insist on the elimination of Silhouette, so as not to create competition for Renault models. Whatever it was, but at the end of 2009 the project was frozen.

You can understand the French, because Renault has an analogue of "Silhouette" - this is Fluence. Why should they create a competitor to their car, especially since among the C-series and so a sufficiently high level of competition. Another reason for stopping the project was the prices for VAZ cars of the Silhouette series: 400-450 thousand rubles. The French immediately realized that it would be extremely difficult to compete with them at such a price. And do not forget about the crisis in the car market. Why take on financial risks if the logic of a businessman suggests that you need to make the most with minimal costs.

Despite all the political behind-the-scenes games, the work on the Silhouette project is still going on, albeit not as fast as we would like. AvtoVAZ engineers are considering the possibilities of using Renault technologies to produce models 2116-2118. The presentation of the hatchback VAZ 2118 was held at the Avtovaz SEC. In this car - in comparison with the sedan - more than 60 changes were made. Of the main can be called: the new power unit 2118 volume of 1.8 liters and a capacity of 112 liters. With., A new transmission (index 2180) with 5 or 6 gears and a cable shift system. The engine fulfills the toxicity standards of Euro IV and Euro V, has the most reliable start-up at low temperatures. The car has a comfortable cabin, designed for five people, a powerful ventilation system, air conditioning and heating, which includes airflow and defrosting of the windows.

Let's hope that AvtoVAZ still succeeds in completing work on the Silhouette project, and motorists will be able to buy these new items by visiting the VAZ car dealerships.