Russian automotive news sites have reported that AvtoVaz has entered into the final stages of the development of the Lada XRay SUV.
AvtoVaz announced Wednesday that the vehicle will feature three engines: a 1.6 liter, 106hp VAZ, a 1.6 liter, 114hp Renault H4MK built in Tolyatti, and a 1.8 liter, 123hp VAZ. The vehicle will offer Renault-designed standard and automatic transmissions.
Speaking with Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev late last week, XRay project director Oleg Grunenkov noted that the new design's production schedule has been accelerated. Grunenkov explained that the car will undergo testing throughout the spring and summer, while preparations for mass production take place in Tolyatti, and that the XRay will go on sale by the first quarter of 2016.
A 'dummy' Renault Sandero with XRay aggregate components has been undergoing testing in Germany, while the first XRay will be assembled and rolled out for testing next week.
A second XRay will be rolled out in April for summer testing, including Euro NCAP standard crash testing.
In late January, AvtoVaz had released a test batch of its other new design, the Lada Vesta sedan, which is expected to enter into serial production by September.
