The upcoming Vesta model, branded as an anti-crisis version, is slated for a facelift in 2022 style with renewed exterior cues and the same interior configuration. The powertrain remains the 8-valve version of the VAZ-11182 engine, the same unit now featured in the Largus and Granta lineups, according to sources close to the project shared with Russkiy Avtomobil. The publication notes that sales could begin in September. This update underscores a strategic approach to preservation of compatibility while refreshing the model’s visual identity, as reported by the outlet and its informants.
In technical terms, the VAZ-11182 is a refined evolution of the VAZ-11186 engine, tailored to the engine’s connecting rod and piston assemblies as well as the cylinder head. The efficiency gains over the older model have pushed power output to about ninety horsepower, marking a noticeable improvement in performance and responsiveness for the Vesta range. The choice to modernize to the VAZ-11182 reflects a balance between incremental efficiency and practical production constraints, a stance echoed by industry observers and cited by Russkiy Avtomobil.
There is also discussion about retaining the older VAZ-11186 option for the Vesta as a contingency measure, but only as a last resort. The reason lies in the updated engine’s cylinder head incorporating a number of Renault components. Nevertheless, the overall localization level is deemed acceptable, which positions the new VAZ-11182 as the primary candidate for the engine bay of the simplified Vesta. This insight comes from a source familiar with the program and corroborated by journalistic reporting.
Further enhancements are anticipated: the spark plug thread in the candles is expected to move to M14x1.25 from the current M12x1.25 standard used on Renault engines, a change aimed at cost reductions and ease of sourcing within Russia. Several test vehicles powered by these engines have already been assembled in Izhevsk for evaluation, adding practical validation to the planned modifications. The ongoing testing and progressive refinement signal a pragmatic path toward a cost-effective, inline with domestic production capabilities, powertrain strategy for the Vesta family.
From a cost perspective, the engine swap offers tangible savings when compared with contemporary 16-valve units. Yet a recent appearance of an eight-valve engine in the Largus Cross lineup showed that the price gap between configurations driven by different engines can be narrow, with a difference of around ten thousand rubles. This indicates that the economic benefits of the simplified engine are meaningful but not overwhelming, suggesting a broader strategy that encompasses more than just propulsion. Observers note that Vesta’s simplification program also contemplates removing several active safety and convenience features, including all airbags except the driver’s, and avoiding the ERA-GLONASS system, with questions about ABS and ESP applicability, as discussed in industry roundups and reported by insiders.
- There is also expectation that emissions standards may regress to Euro-2 for Vesta, as well as for the Granta and Niva families, aligning with the broader plan for simplified variants across the lineup.
- Details and updates on the program can be followed through channels such as Viber, where briefing information is sometimes shared.