Following a series of concept vehicles, Russian automaker AvtoVAZ finally began production of the new Lada Vesta sedan.

AvtoVAZ plans to build around 5,000 Vesta sedans by the end of this year, with sales scheduled to begin on November 25. Built at the company’s Izhevsk plant in the Western Urals, the Lada Vesta looks very similar to the concept car.

It will be priced between 465,000 and 600,000 roubles ($7,000 to $9,000), making it a competitor for the Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio, Russia’s second and third best-selling cars so far this year.

The Vesta is built on a completely new LADA B / C platform, developed by engineers of AvtoVAZ in collaboration with specialists from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The model is equipped with a 106hp 16V 1.6-liter Lada engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox sourced from Renault. Later on, the Vesta will also be available with an automatic transmission and the same engine with 8 valves rated at 87hp. A Nissan-sourced 114hp 1.6-liter unit will also be offered.

The car measures 4,410mm (173.6in) in length, 1,764mm (69.4in) in width, 1,497mm (58.9in) in height, and 2,635mm (103.7in) in wheelbase. Boot volume stands at 480 liters (16.9 cu-ft).

About 60 percent of components for the Lada Vesta are produced in Togliatti, including engines, transmissions, chassis components and parts of large and medium stamping (including faceplates).

AvtoVAZ’s CEO Bo Inge Andersson said 71 percent of the Vesta’s production will be sourced locally and that the company will first focus on the Russian market.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO