Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT
Test Drive

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

Why did Togliatti decide to change their "robot" to a Japanese variator, how the updated car rides and how much more expensive it is now being sold

“Aliens? - the employee of the world's largest radio telescope RATAN-600 in Karachay-Cherkessia just smiled. - They say it was the case in Soviet times. The duty officer recorded something unusual, made a fuss, so they almost got fired. " Having joked about the planet Shelezyak from the worlds of Kir Bulychev and its robotic inhabitants in distress, we moved on.

RATAN with a diameter of 600 m helps to explore very distant regions of space, but alien robots have not reached here yet. It sounds ironic, but it did not work out with the "robot" in Togliatti, so we drive past the telescope in a Lada Vesta with a 113-horsepower gasoline engine and a CVT. The job is not as difficult as that of astronomers, but also fun.

From now on, Vesta with two pedals is just about the variator and nothing more. In the range of the model, there was an "automatic replacement" - with the advent of the variator, the robotic box was abolished. A year ago, the factory RCP was successfully modernized, but judging by the sluggish demand, the modifications did not help to change the negative attitude of the market towards the "Robo-West". So remember: the Vesta 1,6 AT is now equipped with more traditional automation.

And get ready to weigh new prices in your mind. Vesta 1,6 AT is different - the variator is offered for all versions, with the exception of the small-circulation Sport sedan. With equal configurations, two-pedal machines are more expensive than versions with "mechanics". The surcharge in comparison with the 106-horsepower 1,6 MT is $ 1 and compared to the 1134-horsepower 122 MT - $ 1,8.Total, the most affordable among two-pedal newcomers is the Vesta Classic sedan for $ 654 9, and the most expensive is a station wagon Vesta SW Cross Luxe Prestige for $ 652

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

The Japanese variator, the time-tested Jatco JF015E, is the same for the Nissan Qashqai crossover and Renault cars with the B0 platform (Logan, Sandero, Kaptur, Arkana). The V-belt transmission mechanism is here combined with a torque converter and a two-stage planetary gearbox. That is, partly the transmission is a variator, and partly like a conventional classic automatic transmission. A low gear is engaged for the start or for the implementation of kick-down recoil, and otherwise the variator part works.

A clever scheme made it possible to make the box compact, to exclude belt transitions to border modes, but at the same time to realize a large range of gear ratios. As for reliability, according to the factory calculations, such a Jatco on Vesta should withstand at least 120 thousand km, and with a single filling with technical liquid.

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

The engine of the two-pedal "Vesta" has no alternative - the Nissan HR16 (aka H4M according to the Renault system), which has been located in Togliatti for three years already. Aluminum block, mechanism for changing the phases at the inlet, common cooling system for the engine and variator, the ability to refuel with 92-m gasoline. That is, we have exactly the same power unit that is already installed on the XRay Cross 1,6 AT two-pedal crossovers.

The results of the current operation and the one done earlier on the crossover are in many ways similar. The Vestas also did not require serious alterations of the structure, the suspension settings and the clearance of 178–203 mm were preserved, rear disc brakes and the original exhaust system were installed as standard. The drive shafts with the intermediate support of the right-hand drive are also original; such a solution with half-shafts of equal length reduced the effect of power steering. However, Vesta has its own motor and variator calibrations. It looks like it's for the best.

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

The first test subject is the Vesta 1,6 AT sedan. Starts easily and smoothly, without stuttering or jerking. With a calm driving style, the gearbox seems friendly, accurately and adequately simulates the change of six virtual gears. Most it is for city driving, if not smart.

The variator does not support sharpness, and the more actively you press and release the gas pedal, the more clearly inertness is felt. Liveliness at medium speeds can only be achieved after a third of the pedal travel is selected. And near the mark of 100 km / h, there is almost no reaction to "half measures", so the gas must be added boldly.

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

We transfer to the Vesta SW Cross 1,6 AT station wagon, and it seems that the enthusiasm of the motor-variator pair seems to be crushed by the difference in the curb weight. Yes, the VAZ employees explain, 50 kilos for the power unit are already significant. The station wagon's reactions are more inert, everything is somehow slow. When you duck the gas pedal on long slopes of the track, the speedometer needle clings to the 120 km / h mark. And this is without full load.

It is more convenient to drive actively, for example on the Circassian serpentines, in the manual switching mode. Overtake on the track too. At the same time, the function of automatic transition to several pseudo-gears down under full throttle is retained. The lever travel is too big, but the "gears" change quickly. In the suit of active driving and the difference in the cut-off threshold: if in Drive mode, the transition up occurs at 5700 rpm, then in manual mode - at 6500.

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

For completeness, we also drove the XRAY Cross 1,6 two-pedal crossover, which turned out to be an escort car at the presentation. Obviously, the two-pedal Vesta is clearer and more responsive in traction control. Apparently, the mentioned unique settings had such a beneficial effect. They also noted that the crossover switching scheme is depicted on the lever, while the Vesta has a clear scale with backlight.

Vesta 1,6 AT is also good in terms of efficiency. The average consumption according to the passport is 0,3–0,5 liters less than that of the 1,8 MT versions. The readings of our onboard computers did not exceed 9,0 liters. And the new motor, up to 3000 rpm, turned out to be unexpectedly quiet.

Test drive Lada Vesta with CVT

The main competitors for the two-pedal Vesta are the same mass sedans and liftbacks from Hyundai Solaris to Skoda Rapid with automatic transmissions. If we compare the most affordable versions, it turns out that only the less powerful Renault Logan (from $ 9) is cheaper, and the prices for all other models exceed $ 627. As a result, the variator Lada Vesta looks attractive. The discovery is not astronomical, but the fact is that we will definitely not miss the "robots".

Simultaneously with the premiere of the variator, Lada Vesta received several more point improvements. All versions now have frameless wiper blades and recessed cup holders. In expensive trim levels - new 16-inch wheels, a fully heated steering wheel rim, a function of cornering lights with fog lights and an automatic folding mirror system. At the same time, the obviously useful auto mode of the driver's window did not appear - the representatives of the plant explained that there was no request for such a function from marketers.

And the top-grade Exclusive (from $ 11) has also been revised, which is available for regular sedans and station wagons without the Cross prefix. The list of equipment has been expanded. It now features a fin antenna, black mirror caps, black headlining, aluminum-look trims and custom seat upholstery. The Exclusive sedan also features a spoiler on the trunk lid, tailpipe trims, door sills and pedals, and unique textile mats.

 

Body typeSedanUniversal
dimensions

(length / width / height), mm
4410/1764/1497

(4424 / 1785 / 1526)
4410/1764/1508

(4424 / 1785 / 1537)
Wheelbase, mm26352635
Curb weight, kg1230 – 1380 Feet1280 – 1350 Feet
Gross vehicle weight, kg16701730
engine's typePetrol, R4Petrol, R4
Working volume, cubic meters cm15981598
Power, hp with. at rpm113 at 5500113 at 5500
Max. cool. moment,

Nm at rpm
152 at 4000152 at 4000
Transmission, driveCVT, frontCVT, front
Max. speed km / h175170
Acceleration to 100 km / h, from11,312,2
Fuel consumption (mixture), l7,17,4
Price from, $.9 652

(832 900)
10 137

(866 900)
 

 

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