LADA

Lada Azimut to begin mass production in summer 2026

AvtoVAZ CEO Maxim Sokolov has confirmed the company's plans to begin mass production of the new Lada Azimut model in summer 2026.

"As for the Azimut model, we plan to launch it next year and we are aiming for it to be in summer 2026. It will probably be the most innovative car in our entire range," Sokolov said.

According to him, the new model's technology will largely rely on a modern multimedia platform with numerous capabilities provided by Sber, AvtoVAZ's partner in the field of artificial intelligence development.

Sokolov pointed out that, although AvtoVAZ traditionally produces vehicles in a more affordable price segment, the company must carefully balance technological innovation and economic profitability, as such technologies are still very expensive for the mass market. However, he stressed that the development and application of artificial intelligence is a strategic direction for the company.

The interior is surprisingly high-quality in terms of finish and equipment. Two 10-inch screens divide the dashboard, one for the instrument panel and the other for the multimedia system. The cabin also features a rotary driving mode selector on the center console and air conditioning controls inherited from the Renault Duster, a remnant of the former partnership between Lada and the French automaker.

Among the standard highlights are a reversing camera, keyless entry, and a sound system with six speakers. Items such as wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, and dual-zone digital air conditioning will be available as options.

Inside the cabin, the style is more understated. The instrument panel houses two screens: one for instrumentation and a 10" touchscreen for multimedia, with integrated navigation and voice assistant. The system was developed in conjunction with Sber and Navio, two Russian technology companies.

The list of standard items includes six speakers, a reversing camera and keyless entry. Panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, dual-zone air conditioning, electric tailgate opening, heated side windows and 360° view cameras are also available as options. There is also a button to select driving modes on different terrains, a sign that, at least at the marketing level, the soul of the SUV is taken seriously.

Renault platform: The new Lada Azimut crossover SUV uses the same platform as the new Renault Dacia Duster, with some engineering modifications carried out by AvtoVAZ. This means that the platform base is from Renault.

The 2021 Lada Vesta uses the Lada B/C platform, which is a proprietary development by AvtoVAZ with initial contributions from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Despite Renault's departure from AvtoVAZ in 2022, the Vesta platform remains the basis for current and future models in the lineup, including the new Lada Azimut crossover SUV expected to arrive on the market in mid-2026.

Details of the Lada B/C platform:

-It is considered AvtoVAZ's first completely new platform in many years, originally introduced with the launch of the Vesta in 2015.

-Although developed in-house, it shares some parts and technologies from the former Renault-Nissan partnership.

-AvtoVAZ has plans to develop a completely new Russian platform in the long term, possibly for a vehicle class above the Vesta, but for now, the B/C platform is the basis for the current lineup.

-The Lada Iskra, another new model from the brand planned for 2025, is based on an adapted version of the global XJO/CMF-B platform, not the Vesta's B/C platform.

The Lada B/C platform refers to a flexible vehicle architecture developed by AvtoVAZ (manufacturer of Lada), which was designed to be used in both compact (B segment) and medium (C segment) car models. This platform originates from technical collaboration with the Renault-Nissan Alliance and shares many components with Dacia models (another Renault Group brand).

Key features:

-Modularity: The "B/C" designation indicates its modular and versatile nature, allowing the production of vehicles of different sizes and segments on the same engineering base.

-Technology Sharing: The development of this platform allowed Lada to integrate modern Alliance technologies, including steering systems, transmission components, and the possibility of electrification, as seen in Renault's CMF-B platform.

-Associated Models: Newer Lada models, such as the Lada Vesta and the Lada XRAY, were developed using this architecture, as was the new generation of the Lada Niva (expected after 2025).

Lada Azimut is a new crossover from AvtoVAZ, first presented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (PMEF-2025). The model is developed on the Vesta platform and will initially be equipped with modernized 1.6- and 1.8-liter engines of its own production, with a capacity of 120 and 132 horsepower. As previously announced by the manufacturer, the start of production is planned for the first half of 2026, while the start of sales is expected at the turn of the second to third quarters of the same year.

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