When a new foreign-made car model comes out, this is news that deserves the attention of both specialists and those who are planning to purchase a new model car. When a new domestic model goes into mass production, even today it is truly an event.
And not only because domestic automobile manufacturers are still sluggish and very infrequently pamper their customers with new products, but today they, albeit with some delay, are still implementing many new products in the automotive industry. More than three years ago, AvtoVAZ launched a new independent model of the Lada Granta .
There were many hopes and expectations associated with it, the main one of which was, of course, a very low price. Another, no less interesting event is that for the first time in a domestic car of this class, an automatic transmission and an air conditioning system in the cabin are installed . And although the initially announced price of 220,000 rubles has grown considerably in recent years, the Lada Granta still remains one of the cheapest offers in the segment of small budget cars with a very good range of options.
Design Lada Granta Liftback.
It is gratifying that, having appeared relatively recently, Granta, despite a number of problems, including financial ones, continues its development. Today, in addition to the traditional sedan, the car is available in a liftback body. Needless to say that the liftback shares a common platform with it? Indeed, the chassis of both cars are as unified as possible, as was the case with almost all models ever produced by AvtoVAZ.
The main differences between both models are solely in appearance. Compared to the sedan, the liftback no longer looks like a boring serial thing, but a completely perfect car with an independent design, without hints of the traces of other foreign-made cars, such as those made by the Chinese.
The new, fresher design of the bumpers and radiator grille gives the Granta a more modern and dynamic look. As for the rear of the car, here the developers can give a solid “five”: the logical placement of the license plate fasteners, a modern design without those ugly stampings, as well as very attractive and modern optics for a domestic car, make the liftback very attractive.
The side mirrors, which offer improved visibility and are painted in body color, also deserve praise. 14-inch spoked alloy wheels, available in the maximum configuration, allow the new Grant to be in no way inferior to budget foreign analogues in its class, and sometimes even surpass them in external design.
As for the overall dimensions, almost all of them remain the same.
The liftback has become slightly shorter than its predecessor in length by 13 mm. Moreover, it was not the dimensions of the cabin that were reduced, but the dimensions of the luggage compartment. The weight of the car in the basic configuration is 1150 kg.
What is a liftback? what it looks like and how it differs from a hatchback.
A liftback (sometimes you can find it spelled with the letter “E” - liftback, which is not entirely correct) is a type of hatchback in which the rear door (and the word hatchback can be translated as “rear door”) has a small protrusion and, when closed, looks more like a liftback classic sedan.
This is exactly what distinguishes a liftback from a hatchback. Here, for example, is what a Seat Toledo liftback looks like with the rear door closed. Is it really easy to mistake it for a sedan?
And this is what the same car looks like with the back door open:
On some liftbacks, the trunk opens in two ways - either together with the rear window, or only with a protruding metal part.
Salon at Granta Liftback.
As for the interior decoration, there are no noticeable major changes - all the same “French” shapes of the blowers, simplicity of finishing and cheap materials, all with the same familiar plastics and the same familiar smell. However, Lada Granta is, first of all, a budget car of the middle class .
In the maximum configuration, silver plastic inserts are installed on the door handles, blowers and front console, designed to somehow dilute the boring and monotonous appearance of the front console.
The seats were taken from the sedan practically without any changes. Although they are quite comfortable, they cannot be called ultra-modern in terms of the number of adjustments and ergonomics.
And on the dashboard there is also no coolant temperature indicator, which in turn raises not only questions, but even complaints to the developers. It turns out that the driver will be able to find out about the engine overheating only when the red light comes on or when steam starts pouring out from under the hood.
The interior dimensions also remained unchanged. Only the volume of the luggage compartment has decreased. Now it is only 440 hp.
Although, with the rear seats folded down, the volume of cargo space will already be 760 liters. This is quite enough for transporting small luggage.
Grant engines in a liftback body.
The Lada Granta liftback is equipped with three 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol engines. The base eight-valve engine produces just 87 hp. at 5100 rpm. The second engine already has sixteen valves and a corresponding power of 98 hp. The third power unit has a power of 106 hp. and develops a torque of 148 Nm. All power units meet EURO-4 toxicity standards and consume gasoline with an octane rating of at least 95.
This motor line marks the end of the era of consumption of traditional 92-octane gasoline. Because modern environmental standards require such sacrifices. Engines with 87 and 106 hp. are equipped exclusively with 5-speed manual transmissions, and paired with a 98-horsepower engine, a Japanese four-speed Jatco torque converter automatic is available.
Who is this car suitable for?
Lada Granta liftback is perfect for young people as a first vehicle. This decision was made due to the fact that the car has a stylish appearance and is unpretentious in maintenance. The cost of parts is low, and their replacement in case of breakdown is very simple. In addition, this car is practical and consumes a small amount of fuel.
Lada Granta is a good example of the beginning of fruitful cooperation between AvtoVAZ and the Japanese Nissan and the French Renault. Considering all the advantages and everything that is new, the Lada Granta liftback occupies an important place in the development of the domestic automotive industry.
Characteristics of Lada Granta 2014-2015.
Dynamic characteristics also practically do not distinguish the car from the VAZ family. The car's acceleration time from zero to 100 km/h varies depending on engine power from 14 to 11 seconds. The suspension also has not undergone virtually any significant changes : the front is still the same MacPherson strut and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear.
The braking system was also inherited entirely from the “ten” family: discs in the front and, alas, the same drums in the rear. However, it was hardly worth expecting any engineering miracles for a budget car designed for leisurely driving on city roads and country roads.
Pendant: which one would you like?
But the most interesting changes occurred in the chassis of the five-door Granta. Thus, although cars in the “Standard” and “Norma” versions received an improved suspension, the changes in it were reduced mainly to different settings. But in the “Lux” version, the liftback suspension is significantly different from the sedan: anti-roll bars both front and rear are much more powerful, gas-filled shock absorbers and stiffer springs are installed.
The purpose of all these innovations, according to S. Medinets, was to increase the stability of the car in corners, reduce roll and sway. The suspension of the luxury liftback is denser and more collected than on the sedan, although, according to our interlocutor, we had to sacrifice a little smoothness. And he himself considers the ideal option for our roads to be the suspension in the “Standard” and “Norma” versions with conventional liquid shock absorbers and the same springs as on the sedan: “Such a car is not as accurate in reactions as a luxury one, but it “swallows” better "Typical Russian road defects."
And finally, a new vacuum brake booster, which the Lada Granta liftback received. As a result, the pedal travel, according to our feelings, has become shorter, and the force on it increases as the braking progresses, not as sharply as before. And in general, it has become more informative and accurate.
Prices and configurations Grants Liftback.
The Lada Granta liftback equipment, like all other models of the AvtoVAZ family, is divided into three types: “Standard”, “Norma”, “Lux” :
- The cheapest of them (“standard”) will currently cost the buyer from 314,000 rubles. For this money, the manufacturer offers a car equipped with a standard 10-cylinder 87-horsepower engine, a five-speed manual transmission, as well as a driver airbag and interior audio (antenna and built-in speakers).
- The average configuration (“standard”) includes an anti-lock brake system, electric power steering, an on-board computer with a monochrome display showing many parameters, including the same coolant temperature and even average and current fuel consumption, as well as rear seat headrests and isothermal windows . The cost of the “Norma” configuration currently ranges from 346,000 rubles, and when installing a 106-horsepower engine, the price increases to 367,000 rubles.
- The price for the maximum configuration is from 419,000 rubles. The number of options here is more impressive. Front airbags, air conditioning, alarm, electric windows on all doors, mirrors and heated front seats, as well as a multimedia system with the ability to play CDs. These options are included in the price of the car. If you add to everything alloy 14-inch wheels, an automatic transmission, stability control system, parking sensors, as well as light and rain sensors, then the price increases to 447,500 rubles .
Should I buy a Lada Granta Liftback in the maximum configuration?
However, a Russian buyer, having on hand an amount of money sufficient to purchase a car in the maximum configuration, will most likely purchase a higher-class car in the minimum configuration for a similar price. That is why the domestic manufacturer still needs to work not only on the number of options offered, but also on a more flexible pricing policy.
