Test drive vaz Priora 2170 sedan since 2007 sedan

Rebranding?

Lada Priora. Price: 282 400 rub. On sale: since April 2007
 
11 years after the appearance of the first serial ten, the next generation of Lada Priora enters the market. Do we have restyling or new model?
 
The top ten was released raw
 
VAZ-2110, predecessor Priora, began to be released in 1996. As the former chairman of the board of directors of OJSC AvtoVAZ Vladimir Kadannikov said, the plant was forced to put a raw model on the conveyor. It took it to recapture investments invested in development. However, the car began to gain popularity very quickly. In recent years, about 100 thousand buyers a year have acquired it. The topics of the dozens of the new model will be not at once, but gradually. Following the sedan, a hatchback and a station wagon will come. Complete replacement will occur by July next year.
 
At the end of April, at the same time throughout the country, AvtoVAZ dealers began to sell the new Lada Priora model, which continues the tenth family. The main question that excites motorists is as follows: how is the debutant differ from the previous version? The creators argue that a thousand original details separates the novelty from the usual dozens. Modernization subjected the engine, body, suspension, transmission and electrical equipment.
 
In front, the car looks quite modern. The grille of the radiator, combined with the grate in the bumper and new headlights give the image a certain swiftness. The Priora is also worthy from behind. I especially liked the lanterns that could well have been on a decent foreign car of class C. But the profile frankly disappointed. It's not even how modern or archaic is the sidewall. It’s just that this part is too similar to the previous ten, which immediately suggests restyling, and not about creating a new car. Not even very beautiful door handles remained old. As if one spoon of tar did not spoil the whole barrel.
 
Specialists of the Italian company AE worked on the interior. The upper part of the cabin is made in light, lower in darker colors. On the instrument panel, nothing superfluous, which contributes to good readability. The readings of the tachometer, speedometer, temperature sensor and fuel level are displayed on four semicircular dials. In the dark, as before, the panel shines not an annoying salad color. On the central console between the two ventilation holes placed the emergency stop button, and under it an oval analog clock. There are even below a rectangular niche for the radio and very funny, also rectangular, compartment with the English inscription Open. It looks provincial. Next, everything returns to normal. Three rounds are responsible for the direction of blowing, air temperature and its strength. But the ashtray was made by obvious opponents of smoking. The compartment for cigarette butts is divided into two small parts, which will not work into the first time to get into. We will not be surprised if the smokers of Priora’s smokers will be poured as ash.
 
Both the front and the rear seats remained the same. True, in front between the chairs there was a armrest with two departments hidden under the pillow. Another has become a steering wheel, which is now regulated in height. The central part is connected to the rim at four points. We advise the longtime fans of the LADA brand in advance to familiarize yourself with two buttons that need to be pressed with thumbs. This is a signal. This is done by Korean manufacturers. In the event of a critical situation, the hinges in the center should not be silent in the center will still remain silent. Unless the airbag that is present at Priora in standard configuration may work. Unfortunately, it is only about protecting the driver so far. Passengers remains to rely on belts.
 
For the convenience of the driver and the front passenger, they provided an individual lighting ceiling, which was placed above the rear view mirror. There is also a thermometer and a extending compartment for glasses. The control keys of the electric windows were placed on the armrests. In the lower part of the front doors there are pockets for small things.
 
The armrest is mounted in the rear sofa. In the middle there is a hatch connecting the salon with a luggage compartment. This is necessary for transporting objects up to three meters long. The volume of the luggage compartment is 420 liters. In this case, the maximum baggage height can be 500 mm.
 
And one moment. When you sit down, a sharp technical smell beats in your nose. The same smell is present on the conveyor of AvtoVAZ. So not a single car we knew.
 
Effective ventilation will help to improve the situation, favorably distinguishing the novelty from all predecessors. In the configuration of luxury, which will appear later, cars will be equipped with a real climate control.
 
A modernized 16 valve engine with a volume of 1.6 liters is installed under the hood of Priora. Compared to the previous option, the engine became 18 hp more powerful, which was not slow to affect the dynamics. Acceleration to a hundred takes 11.5 s (minus 2 s), and the maximum speed is 183 km/h (plus 13 km/h). At the same time, in terms of the level of harmful emissions, Priora complies with the Euro 3 standard.
 
It may seem to the reader that we left too little space on road trials. Yes it is. The fact is that in the management of Priora is little different from the predecessor. Of course, there are differences, but in this case we can state only some improvement. For example, the use of a vacuum brake amplifier of an increased dimension reduced the force on the pedals and increased the effectiveness of the entire system. But in general, if we talk about controllability, the new model remained an old, rather roll of a dozen. I did not like the gear shift mechanism, also inherited from the last car. In fairness, we note that closed bearings with an increased service life are now installed in the box. However, this does not affect convenience in any way. It should also be noted that during movement the steering wheel Priora vibrates almost all the time. This is the result of road irregularities transmitted from wheels to the lamb.
 
It does not contribute to acoustic comfort and noise that penetrates the salon from the motor with dynamic acceleration. However, Togliatti engineers claim that Priora has become the quietest from the Lada family. Quite possible. But here we must look, or rather, listen to competitors, not paying attention to some mystical requirements. At least, the buyer will choose in his own, absolutely subjective sensations.
 
Whether the novelty of AvtoVAZ will be able to compete with affordable foreign cars is still unclear.
 
Love - do not love
 
Environmentally friendly: the modernized engine meets the EURO standard 3. This will export the car to Europe.
 
Successfully: the analog clock successfully fit into the interior. The main thing is to go for sure.
 
Practical: the arm of the armrest is leaning back, opening access to the compartment for small things. Like a foreign car!
 
Driving
 
Management remained as sluggish as on the top ten.
 
Salon
 
It looks modern. The quality of finishing materials causes complaints.
 
Comfort
 
The seats remained unchanged. The rear passages of the time quickly flowing back.
 
Safety
 
The creators of Lada Priora believe that the car will receive at least four stars according to the EURONCAP method.
 
Price
 
The price of the car seems overstated. It may have to be reduced.
 
Technical characteristics Lada Priora
 
Dimensions, mm 4350/1680/1420 mm
Gasoline engine, 1596 cm3, 98 hp/5600 min-1
Mechanical transmission, 5-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km/h, from 11.5
Maximum speed, km/h 183
Competitors Chevrolet Lanos, Hyundai Accent, Kia Spectra, Renault Logan
 
Advantages and disadvantages
 
+ New design, modern salon, excellent anti -corrosion protection, accessibility of spare parts.
 
Sliding control, poor sound insulation, low quality of the salon materials.
 
Our opinion
 
The debutant will have a bloody war with competitors. The price recommended by dealers is almost $ 11 thousand. There will be no empty cars in warehouses. The consumer will surely impose a signaling, anticorus, imported tires. Thus, the car will rise in price by one and a half thousand dollars. For such money, you can buy Chevrolet Lanos, Hyundai Accent, Kia Spectra, Renault Logan.
 
 
Text: Stanislav Pavlov
Photo: AvtoVAZ
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [June 2007]