The first Togliatti-built Vesta is expected to launch with an eight-valve engine configuration, after which more efficient powerplants are planned for broader market introduction. In a recent disclosure, Maxim Sokolov affirmed a prior forecast, indicating the 1.6-liter, 16-valve engine would return to production by May 2023, marking a notable shift in the model lineup and powertrain strategy.
Current discussions focus on the VAZ-21127 engines destined for the Grants and the VAZ-21129 engines used in the Largus and Vesta. A key challenge involves replacing imported components with locally sourced or alternative parts. Specifically, components such as Federal-Mogul SHPG, Siemens Deka fuel rails and injectors, and Bosch sensors are cited in discussions about supply chain substitutions. Unofficial information suggests that several Grants equipped with gears were already assembled at the factory in December, signaling acceleration in pre-production activity.
Additionally, plans noted by Sokolov indicated that ABS would rejoin the assembly line in the first half of 2023. This feature is essential for the Largus program, and its reintroduction would align production with safety and market expectations. By year-end, a second critical element, an Electronic Stability System (ESS), was also anticipated to be rolled out across the relevant models, reinforcing the safety profile of the lineup.
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Note: The information reflects industry coverage and ongoing production updates from the period in question.