On the eve of AVTOVAZ’s 59th anniversary, the Russian automaker marks a significant milestone with the official launch of the LADA Iskra, a brand-new model that is set to reinforce the company’s commitment to accessible, road-ready vehicles for Russian motorists. Sales begin today in Tolyatti, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, with nationwide availability expected within weeks.

The Iskra—whose name fittingly translates to “spark”—is available in three body styles from the outset: sedan, station wagon, and SW Cross wagon, offering broad appeal to a diverse audience. With a starting price of 1,249,000 rubles (approx. €15,949), the base sedan comes with a 1.6-liter, 90-horsepower engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, a compelling value proposition for entry-level buyers.

A Symbolic Debut

Timed to align with AVTOVAZ’s storied history, the Iskra’s debut is steeped in symbolism. Production began earlier this year on April 19, marking 55 years since the launch of the original VAZ-2101 “Kopeyka.” Now, on July 20, the day AVTOVAZ was founded, the Iskra officially hits showroom floors.

“LADA Iskra begins its history in the year of the 55th anniversary of the first VAZ-2101,” said Maksim Sokolov, President of JSC AVTOVAZ. “We deliberately linked the production and sales launch to our most important historical dates. The Iskra represents not only a new product but a new era for AVTOVAZ engineering and localization.”

Russian-Built, Russian-Ready

AVTOVAZ developed the Iskra on a reengineered and highly localized platform, a project launched in summer 2022 that involved recreating over 1,000 parts and conducting rigorous testing with 300 prototypes. The result: a vehicle that boasts over 90% localization, optimized for Russian roads and operating conditions.

Positioned as a B-segment offering, the Iskra bridges the gap between the budget-friendly LADA Granta and the more premium LADA Vesta, targeting a younger demographic with its contemporary design, practicality, and competitive feature set.

Trims and Features: From Comfort to Techno

Even in its most basic Comfort trim, the Iskra doesn’t skimp on safety or convenience. Standard features include:

• Front airbags
• ESC & traction control
• Hill-start assist
• LADA Connect telematics
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Remote central locking

Step up to the Life package (from 1,319,000 rubles/€16,843) and you get air conditioning, plus heated mirrors and front seats.

The Enjoy trim (from 1,439,000 rubles/€18,375) adds premium touches such as:

• Heated washer nozzles
• Cruise control
• Cooled glovebox
• Adjustable steering column
• LADA Enjoy Evo multimedia system with Yandex online services and internet access

At the top of the range sits the Techno version (from 1,579,000 rubles/€20,163), which pulls out all the stops with:

• Heated rear seats, steering wheel, and windshield
• Parking sensors and rearview camera
• Fog lights with cornering function

Powertrain Versatility

The Iskra lineup includes three drivetrain options, all based on a 1.6-liter engine architecture:

• 90 hp / 5-speed manual
• 106 hp / 6-speed manual
• 106 hp / automatic transmission

This variety ensures the model caters to both traditionalists who prefer manual control and drivers seeking everyday ease with an automatic.

Smart Incentives for Key Demographics

In a strategic push to boost accessibility, LADA is offering up to 20% discounts on the Iskra through state-subsidized lending programs. Eligible buyers include large families, teachers, healthcare workers, and participants in the Special Military Operation (SVO).

Source: AvtoVAZ

Before the new Lada Iskra goes into production, Russian manufacturer AvtoVAZ has unveiled a version designed for motorsport. This car is built to conquer icy tracks, and it debuted at the 27th “Race of Champions” in Samara.

At first glance, this version is indistinguishable from the standard Iskra. The only differences are the new livery with the prototype of the factory Lada Sport Rosneft team with yellow, orange, red and black graphics, and new rims with studded snow tires. The cabin features a roll cage, a multifunctional electronic control panel mounted on the steering column, and a hydraulic handbrake. The car is slightly lighter than the standard version, which means that the rear seats have probably been removed, as well as most (if not all) unnecessary ones.

The car is equipped with new shock absorbers, stiffer springs, reinforced mounting points and ball joints instead of blocks. The factory front brakes have been retained, while the rear brakes have been taken from the Vesta model.

As for the powertrain, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine has been increased in displacement to 1.8-liters, and the engine has received a new crankshaft, reinforced connecting rods, improved intake and exhaust systems, and a modified ECU. The result is 175 hp (130 kW) and 147 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque, significantly more than the standard version, which has 106 hp. Power is sent to the front wheels via a sequential gearbox with a limited-slip differential.

Source: AvtoVAZ