AVTOVAZ is moving toward the serial production stage of a simplified version of the Lada Granta. Dealers will begin accepting applications for the updated model in July, signaling a shift in the lineup tailored to reduce complexity while preserving essential functionality. During a recent visit to the Scientific and Technical Center, Maxim Sokolov, the company’s new president, reviewed the anti-sanction strategy and the related scholarship efforts. The visit included a first look at early photos of the simplified Granta published on the Viber channel In the factory, providing a glimpse of the upcoming design direction and engineering work.
Beyond touring the technical facilities, Sokolov sat behind the wheel to evaluate the broader Lada range and discussed new technical solutions and developments. Between exhibitions, consideration is given to a restyled Vesta NG as part of ongoing product modernization. This demonstrates AVTOVAZ’s intent to refresh its core lineup while exploring cost-effective configurations that align with current regulatory and market conditions.
The simplified Lada Granta is already undergoing certification testing. The modification prioritizes a minimal set of external components to streamline production. In preliminary reports, the car has reportedly removed several features to simplify assembly and reduce weight, including airbags, the ERA-GLONASS block, and certain stability systems such as ABS and ESP. These adjustments reflect a strategy focused on efficiency and affordability while meeting safety and regulatory requirements through alternate measures and updated testing protocols. The engine reportedly adapts to the Euro-2 environmental class, replacing the Euro-5 specification that was previously associated with the model family, aligning with regional emission standards and production realities.
Further anti-sanction configurations are expected to appear on the flagship Vesta, and on SUVs like Niva Legend and Niva Travel in the near future. The AVTOVAZ engineering teams plan to equip Vesta with an 8-valve VAZ-11182 engine as part of the broader modernization. The company anticipates a monthly production rate of around 30,000 simplified Granta units, illustrating a significant scale in the rollout that prioritizes accessibility and reliability for customers across Russia and neighboring markets. The visual reference remains the same image from the factory update on Viber, illustrating the early stage of the development program.
Attributions: AVTOVAZ corporate communications and the In the factory Viber channel; ongoing project updates are shared as part of the manufacturer’s transparency initiative along with technical center briefings and regional distributor advisories.
“In the factory” / viber.com