Lada 110: AvtoVAZ’s Porsche-assisted compact car

The Lada 110, known inside the factory as the VAZ-2110, was a front-wheel-drive compact car built by AvtoVAZ from 1995 to 2009. It spawned two close derivatives, the Lada 111 estate and the Lada 112 hatchback, and was replaced in 2007 by the Lada Priora.

Lada 110 at a glance

Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Lada 110.

History of the Lada 110

The Lada 110 was a compact front-wheel-drive car produced by AvtoVAZ from 1995 to 2009. It was larger and more modern than the Samara it complemented, and it formed the basis of a whole family: the sedan, the Lada 111 estate and the Lada 112 hatchback. In 2007 the range was restyled and modernised and relaunched as the Lada Priora, which replaced the 110 two years later.

The car began as the 300 series prototype of 1987, whose aerodynamics were optimised in Zuffenhausen, Germany, in cooperation between AvtoVAZ and Porsche engineers. The first photographs appeared in the magazine Za Rulem in November 1990 and the car itself was shown at the Tolyatti factory in 1991. Series production was planned for the following year, but an economic crisis stalled the project and the first cars left the line only on 27 June 1995.

The original engine was a 1.6-litre unit of about 90 hp. Production started with eight-valve engines and a sixteen-valve version followed later. The car weighed around 1,050 kg and offered electric windows, a trip computer, power steering and galvanised body panels; fuel-injected cars had electronic engine management. In early 2006 the range received new tail lights and a new dashboard. Three trim levels were listed: Standard, Normal and Luxe, the last adding heated front seats, fog lights, tinted glass and a boot spoiler with integrated brake lights.

Lada 111 estate

The Lada 111, or VAZ-2111, arrived in 1998 as the country’s first front-wheel-drive estate car. Its rear seat folds in a 2:3 split, raising luggage space from 490 to 1,420 litres, and front-wheel drive with a rear door gives a low loading height. The wagon weighs 20 kg more than the sedan and rides more smoothly, though its handling in turns is not as good. Engine options ran from the carburettor 1.5-litre VAZ-21111, dropped in 2002, through injected 1.5- and 1.6-litre units; from autumn 2004 the 1.6-litre VAZ-21112 and VAZ-21114 took over.

Lada 112 hatchback

The Lada 112, or VAZ-2112, was the five-door hatchback member of the family. Its body proved the most popular base for the many body kits and styling conversions offered by Tolyatti firms such as APAL, Tornado, Katran, Grossmeyster and Motorica, and the hatchback was the version most often chosen for such work. The family remained on sale until 2009, two years after the Priora took over as AvtoVAZ’s compact model.

Design and features

• Porsche-assisted aerodynamics: the 300-series prototype of 1987 was refined in Zuffenhausen.
• Three body styles: the sedan, estate and five-door hatchback shared one platform.
• Galvanised body panels: AvtoVAZ used them together with electric windows, a trip computer and power steering.
• Trim ladder: Standard, Normal and Luxe, with heated seats, fog lights and a boot spoiler at the top.

Lada 110 versions

• VAZ-2110 sedan (1995–2009): the original four-door car.
• VAZ-2111 estate (1998–2009): the Lada 111, with 490 to 1,420 litres of luggage space.
• VAZ-2112 hatchback: the Lada 112 five-door.
• VAZ-21109 Consul: long-wheelbase limousine with a 1.6-litre sixteen-valve engine.
• VAZ-21108 Premier: elongated sedan built by Super-Avto and listed in AvtoVAZ catalogues.
• VAZ-2111-90 Tarzan-2: estate body on a separate ladder chassis with Niva four-wheel drive.

The 110 family sat above the Lada Samara and was replaced by the Lada Priora. More models are in the Lada collection.

Sources

• Lada 110, English Wikipedia: history, engines, trims, estate versions