AvtoVAZ has come close to creating the most powerful Lada car in history. According to Maxim Sokolov, the company's president, who spoke to "Vesti", a prototype of the hybrid version of the Lada Azimut crossover could be assembled and begin testing as early as 2026. The final decision on serial production will be made based on the results of tests and cost assessment.
This refers to a plug-in all-wheel drive hybrid with a peak power output of 500 horsepower. Acceleration to 100 km/h will take 5.7 seconds, and the total range on gasoline and electricity will exceed 1100 kilometers. The application for registration of the hybrid model's name was submitted by the plant back in April.
In parallel, AvtoVAZ is completing preparations for the serial production of the basic gasoline Azimut – it will go into production in the autumn. About 20 billion rubles have been invested in modernizing the line, and almost 1000 new components have been developed.
The first crossover to enter the market will have a 1.8-liter engine with 135 hp, and in 2027, a 150 hp turbo engine and a classic automatic transmission will be added. Sokolov expects that from the second or third year of sales, Azimut will reach the level of Vesta – about 30 thousand cars annually.
Read more on the topic:
- Safe with a Margin: AvtoVAZ's New Crossover Lada Azimut Passes Crash Tests
- AvtoVAZ unveiled new engines for Lada: power increased to 135 hp
- Lada Azimut shown in new "Serenade" color