Duster Relaunch: AvtoVAZ Faces AWD, Platform, and Profit Hurdles

The Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that Renault Duster assembly will be moved to AvtoVAZ, with crossovers produced under the Lada brand. Neither the authorities nor the domestic manufacturer has commented on the model’s fate yet. Before Renault left the capital factory, plans surfaced to base a new Lada Niva on the Duster platform from the French concern. This explains why Duster remains AvtoVAZ’s legacy from a collapsed alliance with Renault.

Instead of French engines, the Lada Duster could use AvtoVAZ’s strongest unit — a 1.8-liter 16-valve VAZ-21179 engine delivering 122 hp, upgradeable to 145 hp. Similar atmospheres are currently used in the Vesta Sport. This was stated by people close to AvtoVAZ speaking to socialbites.ca, with similar information previously reported by the Drom.ru portal.

Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem magazine, notes that Duster benefits most from this engine, though there are nuances.

“The engine fits the Duster well, offering a good balance and more power. It could even lower the price. Yet simply installing the engine isn’t enough; the engine must be reliable, cooled, and heated properly. These cars remain in demand when priced accessibly,” Kadakov said in an interview with socialbites.ca.

Failed to sell

Sergey Tsyganov, founder of the Russian Car Telegram channel, says there should be no technical obstacles to integrating a domestic 1.8-liter engine into the Duster. Still, he doubts the plant can supply enough motors for the conveyor.

“The engine does not solve all the technical problems. Until recently, it was paired with an old phase shifter, but now there is nowhere to source it because it is German,” the expert explains.

A major challenge for the Duster’s AvtoVAZ version is the all-wheel drive system. The expert emphasizes that the market potential hinges on AWD — 94% of Renault Duster sales in Russia last year came with all-wheel drive, a figure calculated by Avtostat.

Tsyganov acknowledges that Lada Duster could face weak sales if AvtoVAZ cannot deliver a capable all-wheel drive variant.

“A 1.6-liter engine with 106 hp can power a front-wheel-drive Duster and still sell well. On the other hand, producing a more expensive AWD Duster could be profitable, and it would not prevent the additional Niva models from existing, which would indirectly compete,” the expert notes.

The expert adds that the Duster’s AWD system is convenient because the clutch is mounted on the rear axle, allowing torque transfer from any gearbox. Like the classic Niva, the transfer case would be missing — instead, another propeller shaft would need to be added to match the engine’s length, he explains.

Quality can be maintained

People familiar with the process say shifting Duster production from the Renault plant to AvtoVAZ should not undermine the quality of commercial vehicles. In terms of appearance, the Lada Duster will look similar to the Renault crossover, because deviating the exterior design would require substantial funding and time for new styling work, experts believe.

Kalatachi will not rename the model, presenting it as a new Niva. “If only the front grille bears a new emblem, redesigning the front end becomes expensive. New certification tests, including crash tests, may be needed,” says Kadakov, executive editor of Za Rulem.

What are the risks

If AvtoVAZ begins Duster production, the interviewed experts agree that this would likely not start before the end of 2023.

“Automobile production can be organized quickly if Renault cooperates on delivering components. If the project starts now, a full production run could be ready by the end of next year,” Kadakov notes.

The interlocutors point out that the transfer equipment for assembling Duster at AvtoVAZ from the Moscow Renault plant has not yet been removed. The move is a complex logistics task. There are no major problems with stamping, Kadakov says, but in Tolyatti, resource constraints will demand significant investments.

There is confidence that AvtoVAZ will need substantial investments to work with the old French platform, says Sergey Tsyganov of the Russian Automobile Telegram channel. He notes that this approach might not make economic sense at present.

AvtoVAZ has been transitioning to a newer CMF-B-LS platform in recent years, investing time and money to develop and industrialize a new car. The old B0 platform is likely to be retired, according to the sources. Financially, restarting production on the B0 while preparing the next generation Duster would strain resources. Renault’s ability to deliver parts via the Dacia plant in Romania has also faced logistical hurdles.