- Lada unveiled a modified version of the Iskra sedan designed for ice racing.
- The competition-spec sedan is fitted with a 1.8-liter engine producing 173 hp.
- It also benefits from a stiffer suspension, a roll cage, and stronger rear brakes.
The all-new Lada Iskra has yet to enter series production, but the company has already introduced a version designed for motorsport. The Russian sedan has been tuned to participate in ice racing events, featuring an upgraded engine with more power and a stiffer chassis setup.
Visually, the Lada Iskra doesn’t get any fancy aero components, retaining the stock bodykit. The only differences are the new wheels with studded tires and the racing livery. The latter features the logo of the Lada Sport Rosneft factory team, alongside yellow, orange, red, and black graphics.
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Inside, there is a roll cage and a “multifunctional electronic control panel” mounted on the steering column. Lada hinted at weight-saving measures, so we guess that the rear seats, as well as most (if not all) creature comforts are gone.
More important changes hide under the skin. The sedan is powered by a modified version of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, with a new crankshaft increasing its capacity to 1.8 liters. The mill also has reinforced connecting rods, upgraded intake and exhaust systems, and a tweaked ECU. As a result, it puts out 173 hp (129 kW / 175 PS) and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque, which is a significant increase over the 105 hp (78 kW / 106 PS) of its road-going counterpart.
Power is sent to the front wheels through a transmission with a sequential gear shift mechanism. Furthermore, a self-locking differential has been added for improved traction on slippery surfaces.
The suspension has been upgraded with new shocks, stiffer springs, reinforced attachment points, and spherical joints instead of blocks. The sedan retains its stock brakes at the front, but received stronger rear brakes from the Vesta, alongside a hydraulic handbrake.
Note that the Lada Iskra is based on a “localized” version of the CMF-B architecture, which is being used by several by Renault, Nissan, and Dacia models, including the similarly-sized Dacia Logan. However, there has been no input from the Renault Group during its development, which took place after the French severed ties with Lada due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The official debut of the competition-only version of the small sedan will take place on January 25, during the 27th Race of Champions which is held in the Samara region of Russia. Lada is expected to share more photos of the sporty Iskra during the event. As for the road-going model, its market launch in Russia is expected sometime in the coming months.
