There are a Lada things going on in the world these days, but Russian car company Avtovaz wants to draw your attention to the reveal of its latest crossover, wearing an iconic badge. The Lada Azimut is the first new Lada crossover in almost three decades, which would put the last one’s arrival before the word even really existed, and while it’s unlikely to have real competition, its dimensions put it in roughly the same segment as the Toyota Corolla Cross.
The automaker touts its updated engines and a brand-new infotainment system, as well as the new model being “technologically independent,” but it’s not really all that new. The Azimut only has 996 new or improved parts, Lada claims, and with a typical car having 30,000 parts or more, that’s barely a drop in the bucket.
Lada Says It Made This One Without Pesky Western Help
Lada mentions multiple times that it has developed the model entirely on its own, including saying that “we fully ensured technological sovereignty of both the car’s design and its production.” It’s not a surprise that this is front and center, especially with extensive thanks given to Russian President Putin and “his support and personal control over the transformation of the country’s automotive industry.” Plus, the fact that almost no other countries are playing ball with Russia since it tried to take over its neighbor.
The styling is very Dacia. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Renault’s Dacia and Lada had worked closely together before the sanctions. The Azimut is based on the same platform as the Vesta, a car that went into production in 2015. That platform originally came from Renault as well.
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Lada’s Niva has been around since 1977. Tough as old boots and as safe as a target on a shooting range, more than two million Nivas have been sold.
Lada’s Azimut looks handsome enough. The styling looks like most other square Euro crossovers, to the point that it would look at home with any number of other badges on it, including, of course, Dacia. The interior looks sharp as well, though we are looking at renders and not photographs. Lada had hoped to expand sales outside of its homeland before that plan was dashed, so it makes sense this car has actual styling.
Russian Bank Designed The Infotainment System
The crossover’s brand-new infotainment system was designed by Russian state-owned bank Sber. While that’s strange, using a bank for your infotainment system does result in some interesting features. Like being able to pay for your fuel from the head unit. Lada promises other Sber partner services, including SberMobile data service and the ability to control your vehicle through the Sber app.
When the Azimut goes on sale next year, it will offer two engines. A 1.6-liter making 120 horsepower and a 1.8 making 132 hp. Lada didn’t say whether they’re gas or diesel, or even the cylinder count, but the displacements match Lada’s existing gas fours. A six-speed manual will be available, along with a CVT. Somewhere down the road, a 150-horsepower turbocharged engine with a torque converter automatic will join the lineup.
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Lada says the Azimut will offer the best price-to-quality ratio in its segment in Russia. With new car sales there largely limited to Avtovaz models and some low-cost brands from China, that seems like it will remain the case. Lada has the largest share of its home market, with around a third of sales there each year.
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