A brand new model from AvtoVAZ and a seven-seater flagship from Moskvich: What to expect from the domestic auto industry by 2025.

Chinese brands are actively taking over the Russian market, accounting for more than 60% of sales.

However, the domestic automotive industry is not backing down, not just represented by AvtoVAZ. The coming year promises several exciting premieres, from the fundamentally new “Lada” to the innovative electric vehicle “Atom.”

LADA

From “Iskra,” a flame will ignite

Film enthusiasts around the world are not anticipating the third “Avatar” as much as the Russian automotive market is looking forward to AvtoVAZ's new offering. Don’t be misled by the external resemblance of “Iskra” to “Vesta” - structurally, it is a completely different model. The components of the vehicles (excluding the engine and transmission) are different.

Essentially, we will receive the first fundamentally new model from AvtoVAZ since 2015, when the same “Vesta” debuted, along with the now-defunct hatchback XRAY.

The development of “Iskra” was first announced in 2021. However, it was not about a specific car, but about the CMF-B platform that was designed in Togliatti in collaboration with the then co-owners of the Russian automotive giant - the Renault-Nissan group.

- It was planned that new Logan and Sandero models would be produced based on this platform, while AvtoVAZ would have the opportunity to develop the second generation of “Granta” on it, - says automotive expert Igor Morzharetto. - But in 2022, the French left, and they had to refine the platform on their own. Fortunately, the Togliatti team retained the rights to it.

The process, of course, took longer than expected - among other issues, they had to solve problems with a shortage of components. A decision was made to abandon the “Granta 2.0” project and develop a new model instead - thus, we got “Iskra.” This model will serve as an intermediate link in AvtoVAZ's lineup between the budget “Granta” and the more expensive “Vesta.”

The car was first showcased live last summer during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Production is set to begin in the second to third quarters of 2025. The plans are ambitious - to produce at least 70,000 cars annually.

- Importantly, it will be available in three versions right away, - adds Igor Morzharetto. - Dealers will receive a sedan, a station wagon, and a Cross version - with increased ground clearance. In general, just like the “Vesta,” but cheaper.

The cost of “Iskra” is still unclear. AvtoVAZ CEO Maxim Sokolov mentioned a base price of around 1 million rubles last summer. For comparison, the current minimum price for “Vesta” is 1.24 million rubles (recommended retail price).

At the same time, Iskra looks much more modern and appealing than “Granta.” It is expected that “Iskra” will be offered in three configurations, with the base version including two airbags, an anti-lock braking system, and ESP (electronic stability program). Higher trims will add side airbags, front and rear parking sensors, climate control, and cruise control.

Two standard AvtoVAZ engines with a displacement of 1.6 liters will be available. The less powerful one, with 90 hp, will come paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The more powerful version (106 hp) will be available either with a 6-speed manual or a CVT. However, there are plans to equip “Iskra” with a 1.8-liter 122-hp engine from “Vesta.”

Specifications*

Length/Width/Height: 4333x1777x1517 mm

Engine displacement: 1.6 liters

Engine power: 90 hp

Wheelbase: 2603 mm

Engine type: gasoline

Drive: front-wheel

Ground clearance: 170 mm

Transmission: 5-speed manual

*Base configuration.

WHAT ELSE?

AvtoVAZ has serious plans for 2025, announcing 15 new models. However, besides “Iskra,” these are versions or modifications of existing models, such as Niva Sport and Vesta Sport. The changes are minimal, mostly concerning the set of options and design elements.

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This is what the Vesta Sport can look like! However, you won't find this version in dealerships - it's purely a racing version.

Photo: GLOBAL LOOK PRESS.

This summer, a truly significant premiere is planned - a new compact crossover based on “Vesta” will be presented at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. A pre-production model (albeit with a completely sealed interior) was already shown to Vladimir Putin during his visit to AvtoVAZ last week. However, technical details and even the name are kept secret. Production and sales are promised to be established by 2026.

They also demonstrated a version of the new “Niva” to the president - currently only as a full-size mock-up with the unusual name “T-134.” However, there is still a long way to go before it hits the assembly line. Meanwhile, in 2027, a Lada minivan is set to be released. There are even fewer details about this model than the crossover.

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The new model from the capital's auto plant will become a worthy competitor to Chinese crossovers. And if it turns out to be cheaper...

Photo: Ivan MAKEEV. Go to the Photo Bank of KP

“MOSKVICH”

The magnificent “eight”

Let’s recall that the revival of “Moskvitsh” occurred in 2022 - since then, models of the Chinese brand Sehol, owned by the JAC group, have been produced under this brand. Prior to this, from 1998 to 2022, the Moscow auto plant produced Renault models.

The first model to roll off the assembly line was the compact crossover “Moskvitsh 3” (essentially Sehol X4), available in both gasoline and electric versions. It started production in November 2022, but sales were slow... Until March of last year, when prices were dramatically reduced - from 2.2 million to 1.6 million rubles (currently 1.7 million) for the base configuration with an internal combustion engine. As they say, that’s when the cards fell into place - nearly 20,000 vehicles were sold in 2024 (including 1,300 electric ones)!

Meanwhile, the liftback “Moskvitsh 6” (Sehol A5), which began production in spring 2023, despite a similar sharp price reduction (from 2.6 million to 2.1 million rubles in the base version), did not gain much popularity - only 2,400 units were sold last year. But that’s normal - crossovers are generally much more popular in Russia, while sedans are typically purchased by corporate fleets and taxi companies.

With the third model of “Moskvitsh” - the full-size crossover “Moskvitsh 8” - expectations are much higher.

- Technically, it’s still the same JAC. To be precise, it’s the Sehol X8 Plus, - notes Igor Morzharetto. - The vehicle has been produced in China since 2022 and has generally received good reviews. One of the key competitive advantages of the model is its 7-seat interior. There aren’t many similar cars in this class on the market, and there is demand for them.

The “eight” will become the flagship of the “Moskvitsh” lineup. It is the largest - over 4.8 meters long. And the most powerful - all versions are planned to be equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 174 hp. The list of configurations is still unknown, but the range of options is impressive - there will be 2 multimedia screens, a surround view system, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and support for Apple Car and Android Auto…

The question remains about the price. It will have to compete with Cherry Tiggo 9 Pro, Jetour X90, and Geely Okavango, but none of them can be purchased for less than 3.