Lada Vesta SW and SW Cross: First test drive of the main novelties of the year. A prefix with meaning

Several interesting new models, excellent sales figures, carpet bombing of the nerve cells of competitors - it would not be an exaggeration to say that AvtoVAZ is doing better now than it has ever been since the collapse of the USSR. But this success has a downside: people from Togliatti right now are under tremendous pressure and close attention of almost every sexually mature Russian. Even those who were not going to buy a Lada at all. And this leaves VAZ employees practically no chance for a mistake. Only forward!

Remember how AvtoVAZ launched the first-born of a new wave - the Lada Vesta sedan. Slowly and carefully. No unnecessary information noise, no "accidentally" published in the media brochures with appearance models. The VAZ employees themselves provided information to the extent that they considered necessary. And now "Vesta" is already in the top three of the best-selling cars in Russia! Without pretentious presentations with stunt tricks, "brand ambassadors" from among celebrities and other blue lights - solely at the expense of their own talents.

And here's another new model... Even one and a half. These are Lada Vesta SW and its off-road version SW Cross. Didn't find the word "wagon" in the previous sentence? Because AvtoVAZ actively avoids this term.

The reason is that when the question of what should be the second version of "Vesta" after the sedan was discussed, many options were considered. There was a hatchback, a liftback, a coupe - and, of course, a station wagon. Which could have turned out to be noticeably larger than the car, the keys to which were given to us. But it was this body, in the opinion of its creators, that embodied all the options that were initially studied.

The serial Vesta SW is a cross between a classic station wagon with a long rear overhang and a hatchback with a short stern. And this is good, because, frankly, there are few successful examples of converting sedans into hatchbacks. Remember at least a five-door Hyundai solaris previous generation and hatchback Chevrolet cruze- a design disaster, not otherwise.

To avoid such a failure, AvtoVAZ was helped by the correct approach to the choice of the body, and the skillful hands with the bright head of the chief designer Steve Mattin. And also - an initially successful donor both in proportions and in content.

Lada Vesta SW is not even a thoroughly redesigned sedan, but rather a copy of it with a redesigned roof in the rear of the body and other springs in rear suspension... The wheelbase here is the same as that of the four-door, the width and even the length are also unchanged. The ground clearance also remained unchanged: from the lowest point of the car to the surface of the planet there is still 178 millimeters. Only the height has become another: the top point of the body is now 15 millimeters higher.

But to hell with her, with the grown height. After all, you are interested in the trunk, right? And the cargo compartment of Lada Vesta SW and SW Cross is their huge advantage over competitors. And not only because on the Russian market, station wagons of this class have become extinct like dinosaurs.

There is a set of nets for securing loads. On the left is a decent-sized niche for any small things, and next to it is a container for a five-liter canister with a washer, which can be tightly tied to the wall with special straps. Directly opposite - a lockable pocket in which you can hide from foreign objects of a very decent size.

But that's not all. The Vesta SW and SW Cross have a double luggage compartment floor. It is two-section, and on the second tier there are two very strong, but lightweight organizers, divided into segments! All this, if necessary, is removed and hidden in the garage - and the trunk becomes even larger. True, only in this state, without a raised floor and organizers, the same declared 480 liters of usable volume are obtained. With them - less.

But if you think you’re upset about a previous sentence, don’t rush. Because the new Vesta modification has one more cellar! There is a full-size spare tire and ... a third organizer. Looking at all this, it seems that one of the VAZ employees came to work at the Skoda, began to boast of Simply Clever-tricks, and the people responsible for the development of Vesta rolled up their sleeves and decided to make it even cooler. There would also be handles with which the backs of the rear seats can be folded straight out of the trunk, as in the Mazda CX-5 and Honda cr-v… Sorry, I was dreaming.

For the release of station wagons on the market, the VAZ employees also treated those children's ailments, the bouquet of which was once awarded to the sedan. For example, there was a fixed center armrest between the front seats, and not a limp piece of fabric and foam. The fuel filler flap is now locked central locking, and on the trunk lid there is… a button to open the trunk! The sedan will have all this too - later.

But not all the sores were removed. The trim materials in the cabin are still infinitely far from ideal: the most modern plastic on test cars, no, no, and it creaks, despite the ridiculous - less than a thousand kilometers - run. The multimedia system also leaves a lot to be desired. Graphics from 1996, frightening logic of the menu, sizes of icons and arrows, as well as their poor drawing. And navigation "CityGuide" every now and then offers strange tips and non-obvious routes.

The engine range, as well as plastic with multimedia, migrated from the sedan to the station wagon without changes: two petrol "fours" with a working volume of 1.6 and 1.8 liters, producing 106 and 122 horsepower, respectively. The news is different: the top-end engine is now combined in several versions with a mechanical five-stage - the same as on Lada Largus and Renault Sandero. On the sedan, before the appearance of the new Exclusive modification, all cars with 1.8 were equipped with exclusively monstrous "robots" of AvtoVAZ's own design.

I quite sincerely and honestly believed that only nuclear weapons and crumbling dumplings could be worse than this transmission. But at AvtoVAZ they say that they receive little negative feedback on the operation of the box from those 20 percent of Vesta buyers who have made a choice in favor of masochism and this “robot”.

Nevertheless, I wanted to try out the pair consisting of the 1.8 engine and the French "mechanics" most of all. Especially on Vesta SW. Because in all other driving characteristics it is identical to a sedan: it also pleases with stability and clarity of reactions in corners, just as accurately and nimbly follows a pleasantly loaded steering wheel, and the suspension just as confidently copes with almost all the misunderstandings that for some reason in this country often referred to as roads.

But the potential of the motor, which seemed to be hiding behind the shortcomings of the "robot", was not as impressive as we would like. The engine itself is highly unified with the 1.6 unit - except that it is equipped with a phase shifter at the intake and has a larger volume. Here is the same block of cylinders, and the working volume has grown exclusively due to the increase in the piston stroke. But! They began to develop it when some potential owners of Vesta were still enthusiastically considering books in which there were more pictures than letters. Therefore, it is still not worth demanding feats from this unit.

According to the passport, far from the record 170 Nm of thrust comes only to 3700 rpm, and up to 2000 the engine is completely asleep. Therefore, if at least a somewhat steep climb rises in front of you, you must approach the choice of gear and pedaling with all responsibility.

Sagged a little on the thrust - that's all. You even jump on the gas pedal, put a brick on it, ask for help to put the squeeze on the person in the passenger seat: "Vesta" will not accelerate anyway. Therefore, we poke the longish and not quite clear gear lever one, or even a couple of steps lower, and only after that we go further.

However, "Vesta" with 1.8 and mechanics still rides a hundred times better than the version with a robot. If only because it does not present surprises, such as sudden shifts with even more sudden clutch openings. 10-20 kilometers - and already more or less you understand where the tachometer needle should be before the next maneuver. And once you get used to it, you start to figure out how to reduce the consumption of 92 gasoline, which on the Sochi roads was kept in the range from 11 to 13 liters per hundred.

But you are probably more interested in something else - how does the most beautiful version of the Cross drive?

Already in the base there are 17-inch wheels, large by the standards of the class, 203-mm ground clearance and other springs and shock absorbers. One could expect anything, but the people from AvtoVAZ took the medical “do no harm” as a basis and did everything so that the driving character of “Vesta” would not deteriorate. And succeeded in this!

Moreover, Lada Vesta SW Cross feels even livelier and more interesting than the base sedan! The feedback on the steering wheel is more transparent, the chassis is still tenacious and collected, and the suspension, despite the additional load in the form of 17-inch wheels, still perfectly digests bumps and defects in the roadway of almost any scale.

These beautiful two-tone discs covered the joints of concrete slabs, giant asphalt patches, gravel, large stones with sharp edges, and sewer manholes. And nothing! On the little things in the car, peace and comfort reign, and on defects abruptly the body shudders, but without hard blows, unnecessary noise and frightening consequences.

Of course, the Vesta SW Cross is not without flaws. The 1.8 engine is still sluggish here, and the hard plastic on the door armrests will still rub the elbows resting on them. But "Cross" masterfully knows how to hide all this behind an excellent design, high ground clearance, which some crossovers will envy, and an excellent chassis. And in Russia, as a rule, they ask a million and a half for this.

But rules are there to be broken, right? Therefore, prices for an ordinary station wagon start from the sane 639,900 rubles for a car with a 106-horsepower 1.6 and mechanics. For 25,000 rubles from above, the car will be supplemented with a robot. Modification with a 1.8 engine - at least 697,900 rubles, and with 1.8 and two pedals - from 722,900 rubles.

The cross version is naturally more expensive. For the minimum configuration, they will take 755,900 rubles. It will be a car with 1.6 and mechanics, but with front and side airbags, alarm, on-board computer, remote control central locking, electric windows in a circle, climate control, heated front seats, light and rain sensors, electric and heated mirrors, cruise control and 17-inch wheels.

The most expensive Lada Vesta SW Cross costs 847,900 rubles. That is, AvtoVAZ made a B-segment car, which did not even make it to the top for 900,000 rubles. In our time, this is an achievement.

The interior architecture of the Vesta SW and SW Cross is the same as that of the sedan. But there are new decorative inserts (on the Cross-version), which look much better and more organic than the sedan

There are also orange accents on the dashboard. It got brighter, but still want the shield to become simpler. Too many unnecessary design elements

The back and the sedan were already spacious and this quality of Lada Vesta has not gone anywhere. But tall passengers in the back will be more comfortable

For passengers in the second row - heated seat cushions and a USB port for charging gadgets

The trunk does not amaze with a record volume, but pleases with the layout. True, a flat platform with folded backs will not work

The set of nets for Lada Vesta SW is very convenient

Vesta is still a very young model and the first car of AvtoVAZ, created within the framework of the new philosophy of the brand. The potential for renewal and improvement is enormous. And they will introduce something already next year: we were promised that new multimedia systems will soon appear on the Ladakh. Most likely, with already built-in Yandex services.

Lada Vesta SW and SW Cross, of course, are not a standard, and the new Solaris has something to say here. On the other hand, Vesta looks and operates like a good modern car... She is well packed, offers serious ground clearance, a coolly arranged trunk, and it's not scary to drive four of us for long distances: the cabin is quite quiet, and in the second row, the SW not only has a lot of legroom for rear passengers, but also for heads - the ceiling height in the rear of the body has grown by 25 millimeters ...

But the main thing is that thanks to Vesta SW and SW Cross, we now know for sure that there, in Togliatti, there are people who can do nice cars... Cars for which you are not ashamed. Cars that, if you want to scold, are no longer out of despair, but because there is confidence - AvtoVAZ knows exactly how to make them better. Nice and strange feeling, isn't it?

Disputes regarding the safety of domestic cars do not subside, and supporters of both the first and second points of view persistently prove their case, which became even more noticeable after the new products from AvtoVAZ - Lada Vesta and Iks Rey - entered the market.

However, after the new off-road version of the Lada Vesta Cross station wagon went into the series, disputes flared up with renewed vigor. And this means that it is necessary to analyze as carefully as possible not only the results of the crash tests of the station wagon Lada Vesta Cross, but also the conditions in which the tests and evaluation were carried out.

Pre-serial tests

As you know, even before the start of serial production, comprehensive tests were carried out, which took place in May 2017. One of the testing stages was found by an analyst from a reputable publication Autoreview.

Below are the features of the car body structure.

On that day, the crash test of the Lada Vesta Cross SW implied a side impact with a ram, weighing 900 kg with a crumpled tip, at a speed of 50 km / h. At the same time, a car in the maximum configuration, "armed" with 4 airbags at once, acted as a "test subject".

Side impact

The results did not make the designers of AvtoVAZ blush with shame. Vice versa! The car showed a decent result. The threshold took over a significant share of the energy on impact, the side airbags worked as expected, and only the driver's glass was broken - the rear window remained intact.

According to information from AvtoVAZ reports, it became clear that the sensors mounted on the dummy did not detect excessive loads, and the HIC (head injury) standard showed an excellent result of 21.8 units.

Condition of the dummy after impact

However, an expert from Auto Review noticed one interesting fact- AvtoVAZ did not test the cross-version of the station wagon with a loaded trunk, although such a test suggests itself. The same applies to security complexes, which would make it possible to reliably fix the overall load, which is located above the window line.

The plant commented on its decision, explaining it by the purpose of the machine itself. According to company representatives, the crash test of the Lada Vesta Cross station wagon was not carried out in such conditions, since this is only a lifestyle model with increased cross-country ability, and not a vehicle for transporting cargo.

No less interesting is the decision of the plant to refuse to complete the car with rear side airbags - even in the top versions there are only front ones. In this case, the reason was that the presence of such airbags by itself (without the corresponding active safety systems) will not in any way affect the final assessment during tests according to EU criteria. Although many are sure that buyers of top-end configurations would agree to overpay a little for additional protection for the rear passengers.

Rear side airbags at the station wagon LADA Vesta Cross is not even in the top

Tests of the serial version

After the start of sales, crash tests of the station wagon Lada Vesta Cross were carried out as a serial model. First, we will consider a frontal impact, which was carried out by the forces directly from Autoreview using their ARCAP method. And then we will evaluate the results of the side impact carried out at AvtoVAZ.

The need for repeated tests of the full cycle, in comparison with a conventional station wagon, is due to the increased ground clearance and the increased mass of the Cross.

Frontal strike

By the way, the journalists themselves noted that the choice of this particular model was predetermined by the readers, who gave many votes for this option - more than for Renault Kaptur, Hyundai Creta and Toyota Camry together. As a result, the car was purchased and destroyed for 797,900 rubles. Frontal impact on a deformable floor at a speed of 64 km / h.

Before the test, experts immediately noted the large wheels, because on the Cross station wagon there are 17-inch disks in the top, versus 15-inch on the sedan. In addition, mass measurements were carried out, and it turned out that the car is 148 kg heavier than the sedan - 1298 kg versus 1150 kg, respectively. Therefore, it must absorb 13% more energy (kinetic).

Naturally, specialists from AvtoVAZ were invited to the crash test of the LADA Vesta Cross station wagon.

Structurally, the Cross version is identical to a simple station wagon. However, compared to the sedan, there are changes:

1. Additional amplifier in the A-pillars - This amplifier extends to the center of the doorway.
2. Strengthened thresholds.

It is worth noting that the ERA-GLONASS service worked perfectly, and after the impact, the operator immediately contacted the car.

As for the impact results, at first glance, the car withstood it just fine! The front pillar remained in place (apparently, the presence of an additional amplifier affected). In addition, the spar on the left side worked superbly - it folded, absorbing most of the impact energy, while on the sedan this power element simply bent. In addition, some of the energy came from the cast wheel rim, which cracked from the blow.

The driver's door opened with minimal effort, the airbags worked effectively, which can also be recorded as an asset of the car.

The driver's door opened easily

1. The head and neck are all within the normal range. Only the driver's head turned when the car rebounded, but this does not threaten his health.
2. Chest - there are no complaints about the belt, since the force of squeezing the ribs is completely normal and even weaker than on the sedan. It is very important that upon impact wheel moved away from the driver by 30 mm.
3. Knees - the right knee hit the dashboard slightly, while the left did not touch the plastic at all.
4. Feet - Despite the slight displacement of the pedal assembly, nothing dangerous happened.

Consequently, at first glance, the crash test of the LADA Vesta Cross station wagon with a frontal impact was at the highest level and the car deserves the highest mark. However, everything is not so smooth ...

The fact is that in Europe, a much more progressive assessment methodology is used, and if you apply it, the results will not be so rosy. The Euro NCAP test also evaluates the "structural integrity of the passenger compartment".

If you remove the decorative plastic that covers the sills and fenders, metal creases on the rear and front sills will become noticeable. The situation with the front sill is especially important, because just this zone in 2016 was modified and strengthened by the plant - thickened metal was used.

The floors and floor insulation were also removed from the station wagon. In this situation, the picture is the same - the floor is torn and crumpled, which is defined as "destruction of legroom" and means the removal of one point in the assessment. Moreover, the welding survived - gaps appeared around the points. Therefore, AvtoVAZ should pay attention to the quality of the sheet metal supplied to the plant.

The situation with the driver's legs also became more complicated. The floor heaved up and put an excessive load on the shins - according to the results, the score is not “excellent” or even “good”, but only “satisfactory”.

All this significantly lowered the rating in the category "Protection of the lower part of the legs" - according to the results of the crash test of the station wagon Lada Vesta Cross, out of the maximum 4 points, the car scored only 1.7 points.

The deformation of the threshold also removed 1 point from the final grade, because according to the Euro NCAP system, this is regarded as “violation of the stability of the doorway”.

In addition, due to the break in the threshold, AvtoVAZ lost the opportunity to apply the protocol "On the security of the front panel." During the tests, the dummy slightly hit the left knee on the plastic of the steering column. This is not dangerous at all, but it is aggravated by the fact that there are metal components under the plastic. As a result, one more point was removed from the assessment.

This could have been avoided were it not for the damage to the threshold, which provoked a violation of the "structural integrity of the passenger compartment of the cabin." Under this condition, AvtoVAZ was unable to ensure the safety of the structure, and a knee fine was imposed.

The final score is 11.7 points out of a possible 16, and only 3 stars.

Factory reaction

This result greatly puzzled AvtoVAZ engineers. As a result, the auto company bought out the broken copy and examined it thoroughly. At first there were suspicions of a marriage during assembly, but this version was not confirmed.

Everything became clear after carrying out computer modeling, when the data obtained were compared with tests that were carried out directly at AvtoVAZ and then gave a much better result. The reason is ballast.

Any car is prepared for a crash test according to a specific algorithm. It means:

1. Front seats - 88 kg each (mannequins);
2. Rear sofa - 32 kg (ballast);
3. Trunk - 36 kg (the weight of the equipment required for testing);
4. Gas tank - 90% full (water is used).

During tests at AvtoVAZ, 2 child seats with Isofix attachment and a pair of child dummies were used as ballast for the back sofa. But in Autoreview, they used ordinary metal ingots screwed to the floor, weighing 20 kg each. This approach is allowed by the Euro NCAP criteria, provided that it does not affect the result. And it is worth noting that during other tests (Vesta sedan, Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai Solaris), the ballast was used the same (blanks on the floor) and it did not affect the final grade in any way.

Best of all, this fact proves that all the tests were attended by representatives of the company that produced the car (Hyundai, Volkswagen, AvtoVAZ) and there were no complaints.

After the creation of the mathematical model, it became clear that 2 metal ingots, each weighing 20 kg, increase the load on the reinforcements and welds by 20%, as a result of which the floor deforms.

When this fact surfaced, AvtoVAZ conducted 2 more similar tests with metal ingots near the back sofa and the result was exactly the same as that of Autoreview. During the third test, there were baby dummies on the back sofa. As a result, the crash test of the station wagon Lada Vesta Cross went as well as possible - the belts worked in the required mode, there were no folds on the floor, metal breaks or welding.

If we consider this situation, then out of the maximum possible 16 points, Vesta received not 11.7, but 14.9 points!

As for AvtoVAZ, its designers have already made calculations and figured out how to make the Cross station wagon stronger in order to avoid floor breaks.

Side impact

In this case, the situation echoes the one that developed after testing with a frontal impact. The final result varies depending on the assessment criteria.

This time everything happened in the laboratory passive safety AvtoVAZ. For the test, we took the Cross station wagon in the top-end configuration. A side impact involves a collision with a trolley weighing 950 kg, equipped with a collapsible barrier, at a speed of 50 km / h. The blow itself falls into the center of the car.

All the details of the tests are demonstrated in the video.

The side cushion in the car is sewn into the back of the seat. On impact, it opens, blocking part of the window opening, and protects not only the body, but also the head.

After accelerating the cart on the catapult and hitting, after 27 seconds. the operator ERA-GLONASS contacted the car, once again demonstrating efficiency. Like most modern models, the center of gravity of the machine is shifted forward, which is why, after impact, it was partially turned aft. The glass in the driver's door shattered, while the rear window remained intact, as did the rearview mirror.

After the impact, damage analysis begins, the condition of the interior is assessed, the effort required to open the doors is recorded, etc. Only after all this is the analysis of the state of the dummy carried out.

It is worth noting that immediately after the impact, Andrei Matveev, who holds the post of chief engineer of the entire Vesta Universal project, entered the site. He said that this is already the 10th out of 12 planned tests and he is pleased with the results. The side cushion was deployed at the set time.

During the development of the project, the designers strengthened the threshold, since the car has an increased ground clearance, which means that the blow will fall exactly on the threshold. Therefore, it was necessary to reduce the influence of the threshold on the offset of the B-pillar.

Regarding the likelihood of crash tests of the Lada Vesta Cross station wagon with a full trunk - loaded to the ceiling or with heavy luggage - they are not planned yet. But all the technical solutions aimed at increasing the strength of the seats, implemented in the sedan, are also in the station wagon.

It would seem that everything went as well as possible - the doors opened easily, the fuel remained in the tank, the dummy was not seriously damaged and was taken out without the use of tools, no dangerous parts got into the cabin, the battery remained intact. All criteria for injuries are several times lower than the permissible values!

But this is only if we evaluate the crash test and its results according to the standards "Rules No. 95" in force in Russia. These criteria were developed back in the early 80s of the twentieth century, and in 1997 they were adopted by Euro NCAP. However, 2008 and the end of 2015 were marked by major adjustments to these standards.

First, the EU tightened the assessment criteria, and later changed the weight of the cart. AvtoVAZ uses a trolley weighing 950 kg, however, there are almost no cars of this weight on the roads, because even the basic version of Lada Granta weighs over 1000 kg.

Even if we consider the new Euro NCAP criteria with the same bogie weight of 950 kg, the driver's head is safe, but the ribs and pelvis are already at the border of the probability of injury - 5% for the ribs and 20% for the pelvis.

But the main thing is that at the beginning of 2016, the weight of the bogie used in Euro NCAP increased from 950 kg to 1300 kg, while maintaining the same evaluation criteria.

EURONCAP rules are stricter

Naturally, with such standards, the crash test result of the station wagon Lada Vesta Cross would not be so impressive, but not a failure, of course.

However, AvtoVAZ is not to blame for this. It's all about the laws passed by the government.

Sport Wagon with the Cross attachment went to winter test drive Lada Club. To test its viability in Russia, the editors arranged for the LADA station wagon an off-road sprint and shake up the townspeople in the stone jungle.

Access to the "body" of Crossa

We have already carried out a short summer test drive of this version of LADA Vesta. But at that time, due to the high demand for this car, the editors were not able to get acquainted in detail with all the nuances of the novelty. The second chance was given to us after the new year, when a lot of snow fell and the car changed its tires to a winter version. Unlike the test versions of the LADA XRAY we tested, the new Vesta Cross was shod with studded tires. This was especially relevant, since it is in this version that Russian consumers often operate cars in most of Russia.

Sport Wagon off-road we got a two week test drive and decided to give him a serious test. The test was divided into two stages: a test in city halls and an off-road test. There were no questions about the expediency of the first block. What cannot be said about the second part, given that for the usual front wheel drive car it doesn't make logical sense. However, we had to personally experience the absurdity of the situation through our own experience. No, well, why are we worse than home-grown bloggers who go after SUVs and shout that the car is not going, as it should be for an all-wheel drive "tank".

Is toughness a sign of success?

When you manage to drive both Vesta cars SW and SW Cross, the first thing that your fifth point will feel is a more "collected" suspension. The tight "all-terrain" version of the station wagon seems to be always in tension. Its behavior can be perfectly compared to the moment when a predator from the feline family tensed its muscles and in a moment will make a dash towards its prey. The constant "combat" readiness of the car inspires the command - you must be the first! Vesta Cross is ready to storm the speed bumps, too abruptly rebuild in the "rings" and jump from lane to lane with high precision. Commands from the steering wheel are ideally transmitted to the wheels of the car and, being in the pilot's seat, you can plan in detail any trajectory of movement.

On the one hand, this is good, but on the other hand, it is bad. This setting of the most sensational station wagon provokes to arrange a "race" around the city. Coupled with a more powerful 1.8-liter engine (122 hp), this sprint is very effective even on a not run-in unit. In terms of comfort, the Cross-suspension does not have the best effect on a comfortable transfer around the city. The first person to point this out to you will be your passengers.

If a trip to local attractions for the crew on a regular LADA Vesta SW seems like a nice ride on a ferry, then the same route on the Cross will be perceived as an extreme ride on a speedboat. To go to extremes and say that it is good or bad, we consider it absurd. Each driver chooses a car for his style. We should be glad that AVTOVAZ gives consumers a choice that it can make without resorting to the help of a tuning studio and independent intervention in the design of the car.

A prefix with meaning

To the surprise of the entire Lada Club team, the new Vesta proved to be excellent on light off-road. Now we can officially declare that Cross attachment completely justifies itself. On rough terrain, all the advantages of a more all-terrain version of the station wagon are revealed. The clearance, increased to 203 mm, allows you not to think about high obstacles on the way of the car. The car easily passes stones and ice blocks between its wheels. A plastic body kit in a circle perfectly protects the body from chips and scratches, taking all the blows on itself. And the suspension in this mode has no equal at all. Gradually picking up speed, you wonder, and when the car starts to scour the road and the connection between the driver and the road is cut off. But the ginger predator refuses to relax and clings to ice and snow again and again, even in sharp turns... And although we are not fans of low-profile rubber in Russian realities, in this version such a performance is quite justified.

We passed long sections passing from snow to ground and never worried that at the border of the road surface the wheels were disassembled. The only thing we regretted was the 60 km / h limiter for the disabled ESP (Electronic Stability Program) stability system. It was possible to deceive the system only in second gear, when, by twisting the engine as much as possible, it was possible to gain 80 km / h. Contrary to the general opinion that the car has a hard spin on the R17 wheels, we believe that there was no power shortage. On the snowy surface, sometimes there was even a slight overabundance Horse power under the hood.

When again one of the wheels broke into axle boxes, the electronic assistant TCS (Traction Control System) came to the rescue. His work caused us extremely positive emotions. Even at high speeds, it distributes the load in time by transferring the moment from one wheel to another.

What is better for Russian realities LADA Vesta SW or SW Cross? Here only the future driver can choose for himself. A station wagon in a plastic body kit looks more impressive and has a high ground clearance. But its suspension is not suitable for every consumer.

Regular SW has more comfortable characteristics, but loses in ground clearance and aggressive style. In any case, before buying a car, we recommend that you definitely ride both versions and make your choice.

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Not a traditional family utility truck like the Largus, but a more dynamic, stylish model with a sloping roof. A sort of Russian shooting brake. And we take back our previous words that the Vesta sedan is the most beautiful car from AvtoVAZ ...

Lada Vesta SW / SW Cross has 79 new body parts, including a protective plastic body kit. In the body itself, amplifiers are introduced to compensate for the absence of a partition in the trunk, which the sedan has. But there are still no xenon or lensed headlights!

Because the "car" with its "floating" roof looks much cooler and, most importantly, more harmonious! Although below the sill line, the SW is, in fact, that sedan, just modified. And what is really so different? We will now answer this and other questions of our readers.

Question from rkhabibullin

Does the cabin smell like plastic?

As bright as the SW Cross looks from the outside, it is inside - the same Vesta, already familiar to us from test sedans. Here is the familiar booming thump of doors when closing, there is a familiar piece of foam rubber peeking out between the windshield and the dashboard ...

Minimum price

Maximum price

But there are also differences. The characteristic aromas of the decoration still remain, although the "phonite" is already less and the smell disappears quickly. The folding armrest on the driver's seat has replaced the central box with a soft cover, on which it is convenient to rest with your hand (on the doors, the armrests are still rigid). And the heated front seats are already 3-stage.

Orange inserts "gouge out" of the SW Cross can be replaced with gray. The plastic is hard everywhere, the "Shumka" is average: the dashboard and windshield creak on the bumps, the engine makes noise. It is more convenient to throw the phone into the cup holder than into the far niche, and the central box now interferes with using the “handbrake”. The rear view camera has a good picture and trajectory tips. The sound quality of "music" is quite acceptable.

The steering wheel is adjustable in tilt angle and reach, the driver's seat - in height and degree of lumbar support. But why is there such a tight tuning mechanism at the helm? The short seat cushion and its high raised front edge are not yet pleasing. The shoulders hang in the air without support on the pillow, although it supports the lower back well - after getting used to it, I, as they say, sat down. In turns you will not fall out of the "saddle" due to good lateral support and a tight fit.

But because of the layout of the pedal assembly, it is not so easy to choose a position for them so as not to sit "on the bent" ones. The platform for the left leg is still the same scanty and uncomfortable, the leg cannot be extended. The pedals are tight, with large shoes you periodically press immediately on the gas and the brake, plus you cling to the decorative shield above the brake pedal with your toe.

The gauges are the same, but only the SW Cross versions are put on orange rings. Looks cheerful, although radial digitizing is inconvenient. The trip computer is detailed, but its two-button control is still confusing, without instructions it is impossible to figure it out.

In general, there were a lot of comments on the car this time. For example, the difference in effort and tactile sensations on the buttons and knobs is surprising, and the slippery "twists" of the climate control dangle and hardly lock when rotating. The SW Cross equipment includes a light and rain sensor, the left wiper now cleans its area wider ... But the "wipers" still shudder after stopping, the windshield washer motor howls, and the rear nozzle does not spray "washer" on the glass of the fifth door, but simply pours it ... And the light of the halogen headlights did not impress with the brightness - neither near nor far. From the pros - fog lights noticeably expand the light border.

Maybe Vesta SW Cross will please you more on the go? After all, it has a lifted suspension and a whole 1.8 under the hood ...

1. The front doors have a familiar asymmetry. Left door - with open shelf ...
2. ... the right one has a door handle, which makes it inconvenient to use the window regulator. The power window keys are very tight.
3. Thresholds have become wider because of the protective pads on the SW Cross, take care of your trousers.

Question from palomar

What kind of 1.8 is this, can you get more details?

The VAZ-21179 engine (not to be confused with the VAZ-21128 engine from the "Super-Auto" studio) is both an event and another "long-term construction" in the history of AvtoVAZ. It began to be developed back in 2006, and in 2008, the English engineering firm Ricardo was brought in to help. The engine went into production only in February 2016. Xray got it first, then Vesta, next in line - Largus. It is based on a cast-iron block and an aluminum head of a 1.6-liter VAZ-21127 unit (21129 on Vesta and Xray). But the volume of changes is such that it is, in fact, a new engine.

The volume of the engine was increased to 1.8 liters, by extending the piston stroke due to the new VAZ crankshaft and connecting rods shortened by 5 mm. Oversized Mahle valves and South Korean hollow camshafts are lightweight. The connecting rod-piston group is also lightweight, from Federal Mogul, with reinforced pistons. The network figures figures for a motor resource of 220,000 km. But we must remember that due to the shortened connecting rod with an increased angle of inclination, the piston now presses more against the cylinder walls, and the extended stroke increases its speed. All this can accelerate the wear of the cylinder-piston group, so the question of the resource of the new motor is still open.

1. Cooled glove compartment now with smooth opening of the lid, which received a cup holder.
2. Gray "leather" seat inserts magnetically attract dirt.
3. The front seats received 3-stage heating. The backrest is heated weaker than the pillow.

Lubrication and cooling systems - with additional channels, inlet and outlet are also redesigned. The oil pump of the Korean company GMB (they also buy a more efficient water pump from it) now pumps twice more oil... This is necessary for the hydraulic phase shifter on the intake camshaft, which the VAZ engine received for the first time. The valve timing regulator itself is a German company INA. The fuel rail is supplied by Continental, the injectors are of increased performance. The timing belt is driven by a new INA automatic tensioner.

Note that earlier on the Xray, the 1.8 engine was already marked with a "maslozhor". The reason lay in a batch of defective Mahle valves made in China whose rods had risks from poor machining. AvtoVAZ announced that it had corrected the situation, and the block heads were replaced under warranty on the machines "eating" oil. By the way, we have already written about these and other "sores" in the section.

Question from iwillbreaku

What are the dynamics?

The 1.6 liter engine is 106 "forces" at 5800 rpm and 148 Nm at 4200 rpm. The 1.8 engine is already 122 hp. at 5900 rpm and 170 Nm at 3700 rpm. Frankly speaking, it is sparse for our time. And a more powerful version of the 1.8-liter engine is clearly being held by AvtoVAZ for, where 149, and in the future, 180 hp are expected. But she is not expected until 2018. This means that the chip tuning masters will not be left without work: they already offer firmware for the 1.8 engine.

According to the factory data, the test SW Cross 1.8 with manual transmission in acceleration to 100 km / h is 1.4 seconds faster than the version with a 1.6 engine: 11.2 seconds versus 12.6. Where does this difference come from? Not only because of the power. The 1.8 motor is combined with a mechanical Renault box JR515 assembled at AvtoVAZ. And her gear ratios are "shorter" than those of the VAZ "mechanics" 21807 paired with a 1.6 engine. But there is another key difference. SW Cross with 1.8 engine and manual transmission- the only version in the entire Vesta family, in which the final drive ratio is 4.2. For all other Vestas it is more "high-speed" - 3.9.

1. The station wagons received a central box, in which a USB port and buttons for heating the rear sofa, which was first introduced on the Ladakh.
2. A second plafond of lighting has finally appeared above the ceiling.
3. The folding armrest also debuted on station wagons rear seats... But it is only for the top version of the Luxe Prestige. The ceiling on the rear sofa is 2.5 cm higher than that of the sedan.

VAZ employees declare that such shortened gear ratios "increase comfort at the beginning of the movement and the convenience of driving on roads with difficult surfaces." Let's check. A turn of the key, a characteristic second pause at the start, and ... Listen, why even a warmed-up engine rumbles like a diesel engine at idle and when accelerating from low revs in fifth gear ?! Complaints about "diesel" have already been on 1.6 liter engines, but it turns out that it was never defeated on the new engine?

But it is really very easy to get under way from 1st gear: the thrust is like on a diesel engine, even a driver who does not get along with the "mechanics" will cope and will not stall, we checked. We also have no complaints about the long-stroke, but light and quite informative clutch. But the rest ...

In a traffic jam, you can easily crawl in 1st gear even in idle... But just touch the gas pedal and the car jerks forward. She would have such impatient agility during acceleration! Otherwise, I switch to the second, give gas, but instead of active acceleration - dips and jerks. It seems to be a more "grassroots" motor - but from these very "lower classes" it goes reluctantly. Up to 2000 rpm it seems to be not there, and only at 3000 rpm pickup begins. Moreover, high revs are expectedly accompanied by a harsh sound, with an anguish and a familiar roar.

The long-awaited rear disc brakes debuted on SW / SW Cross station wagons with a 1.8 engine. There are no questions about the brakes themselves: powerful, grippy, informative, with a short pedal travel - they can easily withstand a more powerful engine.

There are also questions about the gearbox. Vibrations and shocks go to the tight gearshift lever, and when the 3rd and 5th steps are turned on, "plugs" occur. (I remember that the VAZ "mechanics" did not leave a more pleasant impression). On the track, the reverse side of the shortened gear ratios transmissions. Fifth gear, 100 km / h - the tachometer shows about 2600 rpm, and at 110 km / h there is already almost 3000 rpm. And this, as you know, is both extra engine noise and extra expense.

In general, I will not say that the 1.8 engine impressed us greatly in terms of dynamics, we expected more. And, judging by the reviews of other fellow journalists, not only we did not wait for this. Yes, the 1.8 pulls better than the 1.6 engine, only this difference is not so dramatic and disastrous for the "junior motor". The 1.8 unit could reveal its potential after tuning, but if you don't need it, then the 1.6 engine is the most rational choice.

As for the consumption, the checks came out 6.7 l / 100 km on the highway and a little in the city, and 7.8 l / 100 km, taking into account the races on dirt roads. In the city by trip computer appetite can rise up to 10 l / 100 km and more. It is not surprising, because the passport appetite in the city is 10.7 l / 100 km (the 1.6 engine "eats" exactly 1 liter less).

Question from iwillbreaku

Are the rolls strong?

About how the Vesta SW Cross rides and drives, it is necessary to tell especially, because the station wagon is seriously different from both the sedan and from the "just" SW. The bodies of the "cars" are torsionally stiffer, and the SW and SW Cross are 70 kg heavier than the sedan, their trunk capacity is larger, so they have stiffer rear springs.

The track of the "cross" version is wider: 1524 mm versus 1510 mm for the sedan and the usual SW. And the Cross has its own suspension too: longer travel, with different springs and shock absorbers, and settings that take into account not only weight gain, but also an increase in the center of gravity. Wheels - only 17-inch, with 205/50 tires (the test car was on Michelin X-Ice winter Velcro). All this together gives Cross versions the declared ground clearance in "crossover" is 203 mm (!) versus 178 mm for the sedan and the usual SW, which does not have 17-inch wheels.

The volume of the "hold" of the Vesta SW Cross is 480 liters up to the curtain shelf behind the rear sofa (like a sedan) and 825 liters when it is folded (up to the window sill line). Have Renault Duster 4x2 claimed 475-1636 l, y Skoda Rapid- 530-1470 l. In addition to lamps and hooks for nets and bags, there is a 12V socket in the trunk.

By the way, the SW Cross will not have smaller wheels. Why, if for the usual Vesta SW they offer both sizes 185/65 R15 and 195/55 R16, you ask ?! Togliatti counters that this will reduce the ground clearance (by 8 mm, according to the tire calculator) and declare that the "cross" suspension was tuned specifically for 17-inch tires. And what did you set up in the end?

On the asphalt, the tightly knocked down suspension does not notice the road "trifle" and smooths out average irregularities well - you can not stand on ceremony with speed and not bother with detours. Although on the "speed bumps" it is felt that, due to the suspension and low-profile rubber, the SW Cross is tougher than the sedan: if you do not slow down, the "muzzle" is thrown up until the shock absorbers are triggered on rebound, and the feed passes the unevenness with a good kick. On the other hand, in driving corners and on active rearrangements, the car does not fall down and gives a persistent feeling that it is tenacious and assembled chassis a more powerful motor can easily withstand.

The electric power steering wheel makes 2.8 turns from lock to lock, weightless at low speeds, although at speed it is already heavy, more "clamped" and less sensitive in the near-zero zone. At first, the SW Cross also asks for micro-steering, but after getting used to the car, this is less noticeable.

1. Can you sleep at SW Cross? A person up to 175 cm tall (pictured) will lie flat, if taller - already diagonally.
2. Under the second floor there is another foam pallet and a Pirelli Formula Energy 185/55 R15 spare wheel on a steel rim.
3. The trunk is a hoarder's dream! Behind the right wheel is another 15 liter niche.

The whole essence of the venture with a lifted and more energy-intensive suspension is revealed on country roads and bombed-out crushed stone graders. The usual Vesta also runs briskly along them, but the way the Cross-version allows you to "heap" ... Yes, this is already a crossover, not a passenger car! At first, on rural bumps and pits, you are careful, you expect that now there will be a hard breakdown of the suspension or contact with the bottom, but nothing happens, the suspension takes a hit. And you start to get bold, to become impudent: you are already overtaking cars creeping along the bumps, you go around the Niva, and Renault Duster itself is your equal in your thoughts ...

By its ability to "digest" our roads, SW Cross is still a provocateur. From the restraining factors - fears, as if on low-profile tires from blows did not get out "hernias". The second point: with active driving in large pits, the suspension rattles and thumps, especially the front - Vesta, it seems, is a family one. And it shakes, of course, harder and harder, passengers (especially the rear ones) will not want to endure such a "rally-style" for a long time. So often drive on bumpy roads, it makes sense to look for tires with a higher profile: both the ride will be softer and the tires livelier.

Question from teamagnat

Why is there no four-wheel drive?

This issue has been around for so many years, if you look at it ... In the 2000s, AvtoVAZ tried several times to fit four-wheel drive to their passenger cars. In 2001, an experimental station wagon Lada 111 GTI 2.0 4x4 was made, and in 2007 a prototype of "Kalina" named Lada 1117 4WD appeared - both cars were even made rear independent suspensions for the sake of this. More details - in our unrealized projects of AvtoVAZ.

The actual ground clearance of the SW Cross is even higher than the stated one: under the lower point of protection of the motor, the tape measure shows 215 mm! The traction control system simulates inter-wheel locks well, and while the wheels cling, Vesta climbs with dignity on the road. All-wheel drive would be a bomb!

Alas, the business then did not progress beyond several prototypes. Indeed, due to the large volume of design alterations, such a machine turns out to be too expensive at the exit. And AvtoVAZ is not yet sure that the Russian buyer is ready to pay for it. Especially today.

But there is another option. In 2016, in Togliatti began to test all-wheel drive Renault Logan and Sandero where rear wheels turns the hydrostatic transmission of the French company Poclain Hydraulic. For this, a pump is installed in the standard gearbox, which pumps oil through the hoses to the traction motor. If Logan and Sandero get it in the end, why not try it with Vesta? However, to our question about all-wheel drive (including hydraulic), AvtoVAZ replies that "research continues in this direction, but it is too early to talk about specific terms and decisions."

Question from bogdanchik_517

Will the Vesta be a coupe or a hatchback?

There is no question of a "compartment" Vesta, but spy photos of hatchback prototypes on the network have previously flashed. But back in 2016, the president of AvtoVAZ, Nicolas Maure, announced the abandonment of the hatchback and said that the company was betting on the station wagon.

Question from abelenkovv

When will there be anything better than the dumbest "robot"? Torque converter or at least a variator?

The slowness of the "robot" AMT (box of the VAZ-21827 series with ZF electric actuators) with a single-disk "dry" clutch is already known. By the way, we also sipped this "reverie" during the Vesta AMT sedan. And AvtoVAZ is now considering new "two-pedal" options. One of them is the continuously variable variator of the Renault-Nissan alliance.

1. The 1.8 engine can be distinguished from the 1.6 by the intake manifold. When removing the decorative cover, take care of the fastening rubber bushings, they easily fall out of the fasteners and are lost.
2. When hanging slightly "bites" only the right front door.
3. The steel protection of the motor is already in the base, and the flat bottom gives good cross-country ability.

In the spring of this year, information appeared that a prototype Lada Vesta with a CVT is already ready. The manufacturer is allegedly busy with the selection of suppliers, and the product modification of such Vesta will be ready by the beginning of 2018. But to our question about the specifics, the press service of AvtoVAZ so far answers that "we see interest from the market for other types automatic transmissions, we are working in this direction, but no decisions have been made yet. "In short, we are waiting for 2018.

Question from eduard_tcigankov

Will there be a methane version?

In July 2017, AvtoVAZ began selling the Lada Vesta CNG dual-fuel sedan with "mechanics" and a 1.6-liter 106-horsepower engine running on gasoline and compressed natural gas. AvtoVAZ claims that the total fuel supply (55 liters of gasoline and 90 liters in a gas cylinder) gives a mileage of 1000 km without refueling. And the use of methane can reduce fuel costs by 3 times. Gas-gasoline Vesta is sold in 4 trim levels at a price of 749,900 to 864,900 rubles.

To our question about whether SW / SW Cross will have a methane version, the press service of AvtoVAZ answered the following.

“If we talk about the scheme used on the Lada Vesta CNG sedan, then no, since the cylinder in the trunk will not allow using the advantages of the monocolume body. But if there is a corresponding request from the market, we will start working on options. less stable in quality. "

Question from badi_monso

Is it a little expensive?

Yes, Lada Vesta SW Cross is the most expensive VAZ model today. And if the sedan and the usual SW have cheap configurations (Classic and Comfort), then the "cross" is sold only in Luxe versions. Option with a 1.6 engine and manual transmission - from 755,900 rubles. Engine 1.8 and "mechanics" cost from 780,900, with a "robot" - already from 805,900 rubles for the basic Luxe to a maximum of 847,900 rubles for the Luxe Prestige! For comparison, the price range for a conventional SW station wagon is from 639,900 to 804,900 rubles.

17-inch rims, roof rails, tailgate spoiler, twin-barrel exhaust, body-colored mirrors and door handles are standard on the SW Cross.

However, even the base SW Cross Luxe is well equipped. There are 4 airbags, a stabilization system with an uphill start assistant, a double boot floor, climate control with a cooled glove compartment, heated mirrors (with a servo drive), windshield and front seats, power windows "in a circle", light, rain and parking sensors (rear), multifunction steering wheel, cruise control and radio with 4 columns.

The Luxe Multimedia version (from 779,900 rubles) is supplemented with a rear-view camera and a multimedia system with a 7-inch screen and navigation. Test the same SW Cross (1.8 l, manual transmission) was in the top-end version of the Luxe Prestige for 822,900 rubles. Here LED lights interior, armrest and heated rear sofa, tinted rear windows.

What do competitors have? There are cheaper options, but SW Cross outperforms them all in terms of price-equipment ratio. For example, the Renault Sandero hatch Stepway clearance in 195 mm and a price range without options in 649 990-765 990 rubles. But it is much smaller than the "Vesta", and the car, which is close in equipment to the base SW Cross, costs from 780,000 rubles for the 1.6 engine (82 hp) with manual transmission. For a 113 hp engine you have to pay another 40,000 rubles, for a 4-speed automatic - 70,000 rubles.

Newest elevated Kia Rio X-Line larger than Sandero Stepway, but its ground clearance is only 170 mm. And the prices are different: for 774,900 rubles, only a 1.4 liter (100 hp) engine with a 6-speed manual transmission will be sold. The 1.6 engine (123 hp) costs from 799,900 rubles, and for a 6-band automatic in both cases they will ask for another 40,000 rubles. To get a comparable level of equipment, like that of the top-end SW Cross, cook at least 964,900 rubles.

Overall dimensions, length, width, height, mm	4424x1785x1532	4424x1785x1532	4424x1785x1532
Wheelbase, mm
Ground clearance, mm
Trunk volume, l
Curb weight, kg
engine's type	VAZ-21129 Petrol, 4-cylinder, atmospheric, with distributed injection		VAZ-21179. Petrol, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated, with multipoint injection
Engine volume, cm3
Maximum power, h.p.	106 at 5800 rpm	122 at 5900 rpm	122 at 5900 rpm
Maximum torque, Nm	148 at 4200 rpm	170 at 3700 rpm	170 at 3700 rpm
type of drive	Front	Front	Front
Transmission			5-stage "robot"
Maximum speed, km / h
Acceleration to 100 km / h, s
Urban cycle, l / 100 km
Country cycle, l / 100 km
Combined cycle, l / 100 km
Fuel type	Gasoline AI-92 and higher	Gasoline AI-92 and higher	Gasoline AI-92 and higher
Volume fuel tank, l

At some point, I even closed my eyes, and inside everything shrank to colic. Not from fear of falling into the abyss, but from the confidence that on this deep asphalt gully of a rapid mountain turn, we will not only finish off the front wheels, but also leave both front suspension struts. And there - yes, through a stone bump and head over heels down. There is room to fall.

Having practically chosen the compression stroke, Cross jumps up at the exit from the pit.

And once again - grunt! After a sharp compression, the rear wheels went into a slight bounce. The turning radius slightly "blossomed" - and the car went wider, out of the bend ...

With renovation

There is nothing worse than carrying other people's secrets. I traveled on this pre-production Lada Vesta SW Cross station wagon in the first half of the summer, and I can only share my impressions now. While you hold your tongue, the nuances are forgotten, the exciting feeling of “the right of the first night” disappears, emotions subside. However, there are pluses in this too: the main thing is cemented in memory, and I will tell about this main thing.

I had a chance to get acquainted with the pre-production Cross in the vicinity of Sochi, where VAZ testers live for months, replacing each other and rolling thousands of kilometers along different types of roads, including mountain serpentines (they are used only for certification tests). The cars are in camouflage, since there is still almost half a year before the start of sales. The interior is not serial in places: some panels are made of smooth model plastic. But - and this is the main thing! - almost complete "driving" freedom. If you want - a spar on the smooth Olympic roads. But no - shoot along the mountain serpentines.

White Cross, from which I took the keys, is the dream of many. Because it is roomy, with an impressive ground clearance (203 mm!), With a 1.8 engine (122 hp) and a five-speed mechanical box gear. Over time, they will acquire such a power unit, but for now the combination of the "senior" motor and mechanics is a novelty. And such a 1.8 Cross put disc rear brakes. Are the drums not as effective? Less reliable? I have not heard of such problems. But the fact that disc brakes are more expensive to maintain is a fact. But if the consumer wants it, voila. Marketing move: now like the "Koreans"!

The Cross is fitted with only 17-inch wheels with 205/50 R17 tires. Ordinary station wagons are supposed to have smaller wheels - with a diameter of 15 or 16 inches, like on a sedan.

Walking around the car, I noticed a lot of changes - we have already talked about some of them (ЗР, № 7, 2017). Vesta is gradually being modernized (for example, several calibrations of power units were carried out); some innovations will be introduced first on the station wagon, and only then will be transferred to the sedan.

It is clear that the XV is from a different price league, but from a technical point of view, it is a direct competitor: the same standard size, a motor similar in power (we are talking about 1.6). Unless Vesta has all-wheel drive. But on the asphalt it is not needed.

All the way I could not recover from this "Subar" feeling. The strength of Cross is also in the fact that he is perfectly controlled - better than a sedan... The full feeling that even the ESP is triggered later than on the sedan, allowing you to drive a little more actively and slide longer without the intervention of an electronic watchman. Special calibration for Cross?

No. The setting is universal for sedans and station wagons, including Cross, there are only different presets depending on power unit(motor and box type) and the type of rear brakes (disc or drum). And the effect of the shifted threshold is created by the tires. They are low-profile, with a stiffer sidewall, so when cornering, you deflect the steering wheel to smaller angles - the car changes course more readily and is more actively screwed into the corner than on higher and softer tires. And since ESP is triggered, among other things, by the steering sensor, the smaller the angle of rotation of the wheels, the later it is excited, believing that the dangerous moment is still far away. Here is the threshold and is pushed back. And I completely agree with this soulless lady, who has only numbers in her head. I don’t know how it will be in winter, but in summer it’s a thrill.

In addition, the grip properties of these tires are slightly higher, and the steering wheel, due to the increased lateral forces, becomes more "weighty" and understandable. The main thing is not to get impudent and frankly not to go overboard with speed at the entrance to the turn. After all, ESP is triggered mainly by drift, and when you begin to slide smoothly with all four wheels, it takes it more calmly.

Active drivers will love it - you can afford a little more than usual. A living car!

By the way, about the brakes. For ESP operation, disc brakes are preferable: they have faster response times, especially on uneven roads. So replacing the rear brakes with disc brakes in top-version cars is not just a whim.

And how does a regular Vesta SW wagon drive - on standard 16-inch wheels and with rear drum brakes? Do not know. But just the other day, Kirill Mileshkin has already traveled on serial station wagons - I hope he will share his impressions.

Of course, the testers drive not only on asphalt, but also on gravel, on frankly broken roads and on the ground. And to assess the reliability of the suspension, they also go to the cobblestone. I also shook the SW Cross on a large cobblestone of a shallow mountain river. So, if not to be fooled, the machine allows a lot. It would seem that you are about to grab the stones with your belly - and there is still a reserve! Of course, this is not a full-fledged crossover, but with such a suspension and with such a clearance, you feel very confident. To put a self-block here, and it would be absolutely wonderful. But this is from the category of off-road Wishlist.

Finally, I hung the station wagon on a steep bend in the asphalt - so that the rear right wheel was slightly off the ground. The opening of the tailgate has retained its geometry, the door rises freely, the side doors also open easily. Torsional rigidity of the body is sufficient. But this is on an empty car - will the body withstand the load? Let's check it on the serial Cross.

What about the price?

Perhaps this is the main question. A few months ago, I assumed that the Vesta SW Cross in the top performance (with the AMT robot) would reach 850 thousand rubles. And at the end of the summer, Nicolas More told me that the car would be. (Prices were announced on September 19. The basic version of the station wagon in the Comfort configuration will cost 639,900 rubles. Ed.)

The start date for sales is most likely November.

For most buyers, the capabilities of the Cross will be enough for the eyes. And the sum of its consumer qualities - capacity, cross-country ability, handling, design, and so on - allows us to confidently say that it will more than work out every ruble invested in it. And it is already obvious that the demand for the Vesta SW station wagon and its SW Cross version will be higher than originally anticipated. AVTOVAZ is already revising the ratio of production of sedans and station wagons.

And if, in principle, a station wagon is not needed, but you certainly want something more "increased" and a little more passable, there is an elegant solution -. With black bumpers and "raised" suspension. I have already seen such machines on the conveyor - during the experimental assembly. They look - mortality. So it makes sense to wait.

Lada Vesta SW Cross - first test drive