Lada Returns After 30 Years of Silence

After three decades without new models, the Russian car brand Lada is ready with a major venture: the SUV, Lada Azimut.

This marks the brand’s first entirely new car since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Renault’s sale of the brand back to Russian owners for just one ruble.

Old Foundation with a New Expression

Azimut impresses with a modern and dynamic design characterized by sharp lines and Lada’s recognizable markings over the wheel arches.

Even though the car’s design seems new and fresh, the technology relies on an older Renault-developed platform, which was introduced with the sedan model Lada Vesta in 2015.

With a length of 4.42 meters and a wheelbase of 2.68 meters, Azimut is comparable in size to a Toyota Corolla Cross. Despite having a ground clearance of 208 mm, the car is solely front-wheel drive.

Technological Advancement for Lada

Azimut is offered with two petrol engines – a 1.6-liter engine with 89 kW and a 1.8-liter engine with 98 kW.

These come with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A more powerful turbo variant with 112 kW is expected to be available later.

The car’s cabin features several new technological functions that have never previously been available in a Lada.

This includes digital instrumentation, a 10-inch touchscreen with an infotainment system, and a voice assistant.

Other features include keyless entry, a panoramic glass roof, a 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone charging, and an electric tailgate.

A Response to Russia’s Challenges

Following extensive Western sanctions, Lada has been forced to reinvent itself. For the Azimut model, the manufacturer developed a total of 966 new parts to enable production without relying on Western components.

Azimut is expected to hit the Russian market later this year. With its combination of modern design and necessary adaptation to the new Russian realities, Azimut symbolizes an automotive industry striving to find its footing in turbulent times.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.