Manufacturer Lada Class Supermini | Production 2004–present Related | |
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The Lada Kalina (Russian: Ла́да Кали́на) is a supermini car produced by the Russian manufacturer Lada (AvtoVAZ) since 18 November 2004. The name Kalina comes from the Russian name for a type of viburnum. It is also marketed as the Lada 117/119 in Finland.
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The works on Lada Kalina started in 1993. In 1998 the projected vehicle was named "Lada-Kalina". Prototypes were presented in 1999 (hatchback), 2000 (sedan) and 2001 (combi).
First generation
Production began with a four-door sedan in 2005, a five-door hatchback being released in 2006 and a station wagon in 2007. The hot-dip galvanized steel with enhanced corrosion resistance used in the production of this car was specially developed by a number of Russian steel producers.
The Kalina is exported to most Western European markets with a price of about €7,000–8,000. It offers driver and passenger airbags, ABS, electric power steering, air conditioning and rear seats that can be folded so that a horizontal platform is formed.
There are three inline-four gasoline engine options, ranging from 81 to 98 hp (60 to 72 kW): a 1.4-litre 16-valve (91 hp; 67 kW), a 1.6-litre 8-valve (81 hp; 60 kW) and a 1.6-litre 16-valve (98 hp; 72 kW).
Its trade name is Kalina in most countries, but in Finland, where kalina means rattle or clatter, the car is marketed as the Lada 119. Its main competitors are cars like the Dacia Logan and Hyundai Accent.
A sportier version, the Kalina GS Sport, is also produced and there has been a Super 1600 version, revealed as a concept car, that uses a turbocharged 1.6 petrol engine derived from the naturally aspirated standard models.
A Lada Kalina was used as the "Reasonably-Priced Car" in the Top Gear Russia television series. It was the fourth most popular car in Russia in 2009, debuting with 60,746 sales nationally, and ranked first in 2012.
Lada El Lada
The electric car Lada El Lada was introduced in 2011. This was a Lada Kalina station wagon with the 30 kW electric motor powered by the 23 kWh battery pack. Only 100 electric Ladas were produced.
Second generation
The second generation of the car was revealed at the 2012 Moscow International Automobile Salon. It is basically a facelifted first generation, albeit with a slightly extended wheelbase and length, 13- or 14-inch wheel discs, electronic throttle control and now produced only in hatchback and wagon form. All interior controls are now in English only, just like in the recently introduced Lux models of the Lada Granta. The Kalina was used as the basis for the Japanese Datsun mi-DO, which is produced specifically for the Russian market.
It is powered by a range of two 1.6-litre petrol engines, with 8 and 16-valve respectively, developing 86 to 105 horsepower (64 to 78 kilowatts) and 140 to 145 N·m (14 to 15 m·kgf) of torque.
The hatchback entered production in May 2013, followed by the station wagon later in September. At the time, AvtoVAZ was expressing hope to enter the US and Canada which would have been their first vehicle sales in the North American market since 1991.
Lada Kalina Cross wagon debuted in 2014. The car differs with increased 20 mm road clearance, the altered gear ratios in transmission and the plastic body kit.