Now, among car enthusiasts interested in AvtoVAZ news, there is a lot of talk about the Lada-Silhouette project. What kind of car is this? This car was first demonstrated at the Moscow Automobile Show back in 2005.
Lada Siluet - front-wheel drive car, presented immediately in three body styles: VAZ 2116 - sedan, VAZ 2117 - station wagon, VAZ 2118 - hatchback. Especially for this project, AvtoVAZ designers are developing a completely new front-wheel drive platform. It is planned to install a two-liter gasoline engine on the VAZ 2118, it also provides an option to complete with a diesel power unit and an automatic transmission. "Lada-Silhouette" is presented as a family car: it has an increased size, has an interesting exterior and interior design, high comfort, high-quality materials, enhanced safety. The Silhouette series, including the VAZ 2118 version, is planned to be put into mass production in 2015. Crash tests of prototypes are currently being conducted, which show 13 points on a 16-point scale on the EuroNCAP system.
Initially, it was planned to launch the production of VAZ 2118 and the entire Silhouette series back in 2012, but, according to some experts, the project was frozen in connection with the sale of a portion of AvtoVAZ shares to Renault, and then postponed to 2015. They explain this by the fact that representatives of Renault insist on the elimination of the Silhouette, so as not to create competition for Renault models. Be that as it may, at the end of 2009 the project was frozen.
You can understand the French, because Renault has an analogue to the “Silhouette” - this is Fluence. Why should they create a competitor to their car, especially since among the C series there is a rather high level of competition. Another reason for the suspension of the project was the price of VAZ cars of the Silhouette series: 400-450 thousand rubles. The French immediately realized that it would be extremely difficult to compete with such a price. And do not forget about the crisis in the automotive market. Why take financial risks if the logic of a businessman suggests that you need to earn the most with minimal cost.
Despite all the political backstage games, the work on the Silhouette project is still ongoing, albeit not as fast as we would like. AvtoVAZ engineers are considering the possibility of using Renault technology for the production of models 2116-2118. Presentation of the VAZ 2118 hatchback was held at NTC AvtoVAZ. Over 60 changes have been made in this car compared to the sedan. Of the main ones, one can name: the new power unit 2118 with a volume of 1.8 liters and a capacity of 112 liters. sec., a new gearbox (index 2180) with 5 or 6 gears and a cable shift system. The engine complies with the Euro IV and Euro V toxicity standards and has the most reliable starting at low temperatures. The car has a comfortable interior for five people, a powerful ventilation, air conditioning and heating system, which includes blowing and defrosting windows.
Let's hope that AvtoVAZ will still be able to finish work on the Silhouette project, and motorists will be able to purchase these new products by visiting VAZ dealerships.