Lada Granta: prices and specifications
4 generations Country of origin: Russia
Lada Granta is a budget sedan designed to replace outdated VAZ models, including the "classic", Samara, and Kalina, which lagged behind both morally and technically. Since the car was intended as a people's car, AvtoVAZ held an all-Russian competition for the best name. The winner was Pavel Zakharov from Krasnoyarsk, who proposed the name Granta (from the English word "grant" — meaning "gift, present").
The development of the model began in 2009 under the Low-Cost project, aimed at creating the most affordable car with improved comfort and safety compared to its predecessors. The official premiere of the Lada Granta took place in May 2011 at the Congress of the Russian Union of Mechanical Engineers. One of the first to test the car was Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Serial production started in October 2011, and the car reached dealerships in December. In July 2012, VAZ released a pilot batch of Lada Granta hatchbacks, sales of which began in the second half of 2013.
The car is built on the Lada Kalina platform — they share similar chassis, body, and interior. However, there are significant differences both in exterior and interior (for example, the Granta's trunk is increased to 500 liters) and in technology.
Lada Granta is equipped with a new 1.6-liter engine in three power options: 80, 90, and 98 hp. Three trim levels are available: "Standard", "Norma", and "Lux". The engine is paired with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic from the Japanese company JATCO. The version with automatic transmission has a ground clearance reduced by 20 mm, while the manual modification has 160 mm. Drive is front-wheel.
