Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show
Geneva Motor Show: Lada C Concept
by John Neff on Mar 8th 2007 at 6:01PM 
click above image to view more high-res photos of the Lada C Concept
Though Lada is the punchline of many jokes outside its native country of Russia, the brand run by AvtoVAS has plans for a major export operation that could see more of its cars sold all over Europe, perhaps even in the U.K. Normally we walk right by the Lada booth at various international auto shows, since we've since their cars before... back in the '70s and '80s when they were sold with other brands' badges on their hoods. The Lada C Concept, however, is a genuine attempt by the automaker to design something fresh that's engineered on modern day mechanicals. To achieve that end, a deal was struck with MagnaSteyr, a mercenary engineering and manufacturing firm that will design and build for you whatever you want – for a price. Lada contracted MagnaSteyr to develop the C Concept's mechanicals, which are destined to underpin the automaker's next-generation lineup of cars and CUVs. In addition, MagnaSteyr has developed them to meet European safety and emissions standards, which opens up the door for Lada in many new markets.
It's not known whether the C Concept is destined for production, but the three-door hatch is relatively easy on the eyes, at least compared to the ancient designs of current Ladas. It's powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder, which for its size should provide plenty of grunt.
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tim d 6:28PM (3/08/2007)
Here's a link to the page which shows where the various design details where copied. The page is in russian but I dont think words like "VW" or "A3" need translation:
http://auto.lenta.ru/photo/2007/03/07/ladafake/
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Naca_duct 6:33PM (3/08/2007)
LADAs are crap, the punchline of jokes inside Russia too. But it is the cheapest brand on market, so people laugh, but buy it... Anyway, here is a report that brings out some funny and unpleasant details about this project: http://auto.lenta.ru/photo/2007/03/07/ladafake/01.htm
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Typesbad 6:42PM (3/08/2007)
Now we know who Pontiac sold all their left-over ribbed cladding to. Aside from that overt interior theme, however, this isnt bad and certainly not what I think of when Lada is referenced.
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Drew510 7:55PM (3/08/2007)
Holy front overhang, Batman!!
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david 8:04PM (3/08/2007)
got that first sentence wrong, autoblog. the lada catches the most jokes IN russia.
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Howard Kerr 8:18PM (3/08/2007)
As others have poited out, the front overhang looks a bit exaggerated...hope it's just the picture/angle. The only detail I'm curious about is that grille badge. Apparently, the folks at Lada ran out of brands to copy as it looks, in the main photo, like a silver painted gas cap more than any grille badge.
Ladas are a bit of a joke, but Skodas were also a punchline to many jokes....once.
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SilverAero 8:34PM (3/08/2007)
Check out that e-brake
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Quattrofan 8:45PM (3/08/2007)
Eject! Eject! Eject!
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Aetius 8:50PM (3/08/2007)
Wow. 9 posts and no 'In Soviet Russia...' joke!
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J B 9:39PM (3/08/2007)
Uhm, I would like to say it looks nice, but the fact that it has almost exactly the front end of the scirocco makes me not like it. Come on, at least try to make it look a little bit different than the car its trying to rip off.
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Frank 10:26PM (3/08/2007)
In Soviet Russia, Lada jokes about YOU!
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Autonerd 11:16PM (3/08/2007)
Steering wheel, column stalks, stereo, A/C and power window switches all look like Volkswagen parts. Just how much did MagnaSteyr design?
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Dustin 12:36AM (3/09/2007)
So you _CAN_ polish a turd!!
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traffic school 3:16AM (3/09/2007)
Well I never thought I would see the day when a lada would look so amazing let alone like a proper car.
having driven in a 1970 model I can tell you they have come a long way... I wonder if Russia is modernizing just as quick? ;-)
Cheers, Travis
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Mikitos 3:18AM (3/09/2007)
Naca_duct
It is the government policy! They increase the priced on the foreign vehicles in order to support Lada...but I do agree that Lada leaves much to desire. For instance, the body is covered with corrosion in a couple of years...Lada doesn't seem to learn from their mistakes!
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Jeff Banks 4:34AM (3/09/2007)
Seriously, of all the things you can copy...you copy the knobs?
And I wouldn't exactly call VW a class leader in knob design.
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Alberto 8:51AM (3/09/2007)
Call me crazy, but I feel that Lada could be the ultimate underdog story in the world of the automotive industry. It would be a matter of quality and design growth. It would be neat to see Lada expand into a modern manifacturer. It would make a neat story. Yeah, I'm rooting for Lada
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DasBoese 11:33AM (3/09/2007)
The Dacia Logan has already shown that cars like this can sell pretty well.
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Alex 12:03PM (3/09/2007)
Why they're always come up with ugly ideas...?!!!
The exterior is OK, but interior is suck big time.
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Blazer 1:41PM (3/09/2007)
I'd be surprised if Avtovaz retains the exact styling of the concept for their mass production car. What is likely to stay is the platform and the overall dimensions, the rest will be played around with.
The article on Lenta.ru is funny, but it is hardly surprising that bits and pieces have been borrowed to cobble together the concept C in time for the Geneva Motor Show. Avtovaz only signed their agreement for technical co-operation with Magna International a few months ago. Besides, that is not the point.
The significance of Concept C is larger than that. The Russian government has allocated funds to ensure that the country's largest carmaker is not remembered as the first casualty of the Chinese automotive assault on Europe and - the money is doing some work.
What is also important, and if I may say, positive, is that the Russians have made a good decision to not waste cash on trying to develop cars on their own. The price of doing just that would be Avtovaz itself. Only a foreign engineering firm can do it well and fast enough for Lada's rescue operation to stand a chance.
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