Renault’s Renaulution plan and AVTOVAZ’s role
Even after Russia’s activities ceased, the Renault group reaffirmed its commitment to the Renaulution strategy. Officially, AVTOVAZ remained a central piece of that plan, and last year it became part of a single corporate structure with the Romanian brand Dacia. The goal outlined by the Renault Group was ambitious: four models built on the CMF-B platform were planned under the Lada name by 2025.
Granta’s successor
In a long‑standing feature from Behind the Wheel, a respected Russian automotive publication, the future lineup is described. The first successor would be a Class B model, a modernized and more affordable evolution of VAZ. The plan envisioned keeping Granta in production for a time, while the new model would offer higher equipment and prestige. During the Ukrainian crisis period, the first prototype reached the desk of AVTOVAZ chairman Nicolas Maur. The redesigned model was slated to enter series production in 2023.
Presentation of the new model occurred on March 10, 2022.
Lada Vesta 2023
The second model, planned for a 2023 release, also falls into the B-class category but represents a larger, new‑generation Vesta. While there is some publicly available information about the first model—production readiness in early 2022—details about Vesta are more fragmentary. What is known for certain is that both new Lada models, along with the rest of the new Lada lineup, were intended to ride on the CMF-B architecture. Importantly, neither model was designed as a direct copy of Renault Sandero, with design taking an independent path. Powertrains remained based on VAZ engineering.
Lada Niva New Generation
Expectations for a new Niva SUV generation pointed to a 2024 launch under the Renaulution plan. By that time, Dacia was anticipated to have the Bigster crossover ready (initially targeted for 2022), providing shared concepts for the new Niva. The off‑road capabilities were to be strengthened, and CMF-B platform adoption was to be executed by AVTOVAZ engineers. If the Bigster adopts a five‑door layout, the new Niva was anticipated to feature a three‑door design, echoing historic VAZ lineage with the VAZ‑2121 connection.
Official teaser of the new generation Lada Niva is circulated as part of the reveal.
Lada C SUV
A five‑door SUV, conceived as an elongated version of the Dacia Bigster, was also planned to broaden the Lada lineup. At the Renaulution rollout, it was framed as a vehicle capable of “piercing the C‑class glass ceiling.” It is presumed to be a longer, more refined Niva with a focus on urbanity, comfort, and prestige, while maintaining rugged roots in its design language and history tied to the VAZ family, including nods to the VAZ‑2131 heritage.
The Dacia Bigster Concept has been cited in planning discussions, hinting at shared engineering and styling directions across the Renault group brands.
If Renault Group ends cooperation with AVTOVAZ, these model ambitions could be deferred or canceled. There are also concerns about continuing production on the Renault B0 platform for current Lada models such as Largus and XRAY, due to import replacement challenges in the region.
- Forecasts suggested AVTOVAZ might reintroduce simplified Granta, Niva Legend, and Niva Travel, with a separate complexity around Vesta integration; engine options could revert to Euro-2 standards.
- Content related to these developments could be accessible on the Drive channel of YouTube, as noted in industry discussions.
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