While much of the auto world loves to poke fun at the Lada, that mockery hasn't hampered the market for the modest, Russian-built sedan, arguably one of the best-selling cars in the world. On this side of the pond, however, the vehicle isn't particularly common, although the novelty aspect of something built back when the country was a part of the Soviet Union makes the Lada a classic car of sorts. And while the invasion of Ukraine has hampered the Russian economy, automaker AvtoVAZ continues producing the Lada, while working on an electric-powered prototype called the e-Largus. It's a first for the company, although its design doesn't look particularly original.
Lada To Include 2 Electric Powertrains
The e-Largus body not only resembles that particular Dacia Logan. It's mounted on a Dacia-Renault platform, a result of the Dacia being sold to French automaker Groupe Renault in 1999. But while that association wasn't specified, INcar Auto News reported that much of the e-Largus infrastructure will be based on gas-powered versions of similar-looking vehicles. Meanwhile, Dacia hasn't made plans to introduce its own totally electric counterpart, preferring to see what happens to rollouts of the internal combustion 2022 Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrid SUVs.
Avto VAZ's Lada, however, seems to be all in for creating a fully green experience. An electric powertrain and the gearbox will share space with the electronics and one of the batteries under the hood, with a second battery container tucked away beneath a rear seat. Plans call for the charging port to occupy the same location where access to a gas tank previous existed.
Besides offering a range of systems that will make this fully electric vehicle operational, the SUV will also boast a state-of-the-art multimedia setup, climate control and heating, rear view camera, stabilizing system, airbags, an anti-lock braking system and power steering.
Even though AvtoVAZ has made it no secret that it's basically building an electric vehicle on a platform with the same infrastructure as an internal-combustion vehicle, the company plans to market the vehicle as an environmentally-friendly SUV with an off-white painted exterior with blue trim to accent its appearance. Instead of a grille, a black panel will crown the front of the vehicle.
Batteries Could Last For 250 Miles
Engine batteries for the cargo version of the e-Largus (built for payloads as heavy as 1,800 lbs.) are designed to last for 155 miles before requiring a full recharge, more than double the distance offered by previous AvtoVAZ electric cars. Passenger versions of this SUV, designed to seat seven, offer a greater capacity to reach almost 250 miles before they need to head to a charging port.
While the passenger capacity is supposed to number seven, the four-door prototype currently has seating for only two. But that may be one of many changes AvtoVAZ might make between now and its official rollout.
The automaker also has in the works an initiative to convert its plant in Izhevsk into a full-fledged industrial park for job creation and create any loopholes in the international sanctions put in place due to Russia's war on Ukraine. Besides automobile construction, the refurbished factory will also be building a number of charging stations to accompany the green-powered rollout.
Lada has already gone back to producing its current car lineup that was halted earlier in the year due to supply shortages and global sanctions imposed against Russia. So far, the company has been putting out more spartan variations of its best-selling Granta and its Niva off-road vehicle that's been on the market since 1977.
Electric Lada Availability Unknown
While AvtoVAZ has further testing to conduct, including a fleet rollout of prototypes to conduct validation procedures before final approval, the company balked at providing a date when the e-Largus will be available on the market. Given a few supply issues the company experienced, resulting in current Ladas leaving the plant without all the features and amenities the automaker recently promised, pundits claim it's more likely that this Russian electric vehicle might not hit the streets until at least 2024.