The worse the condition of roads in our country, thehigher cars are needed to drive through them. This rule is known to many motorists. However, the higher the clearance, the more expensive the car. But this does not apply to passenger cars, which after some modifications become higher and get increased ground clearance. Brought this car and AvtoVAZ, presenting the automotive public SUV based on Lada Kalina. Let's see what came of it. It is very interesting what it is - “Lada Kalina Cross”, the reviews of the owners about it, and photos of the exterior and interior.
Some sources among the workers of AvtoVAZclaim that the car was designed very quickly. Position this new product as a wagon and crossover. It is noted that the corners of the exit and entry, as well as clearance in no way inferior to quite serious SUVs.
Appearance
The new “Lada Kalina Cross” owes its appearance to the chief designer of the plant.
Steve Martin did a good job.Design at first glance does not seem too convoluted, but if you look closely, the body looks quite harmonious, and even attractive. More frankly, it is difficult to call this model independent. The crossover is almost no different from the passenger wagon in its standard version.
The car has become a little taller, but it doesn’t seem like a clumsy metal box. The body will be painted only in three colors - it is metallic silver, white and orange.
There are only a few minor differences.car "Lada Kalina Cross." Reviews of the owners allowed to notice the new bumper, the presence of black protective lining on the sides of the body, as well as wider wheel arches. In addition, slightly increased taillights.
"Crossover"
All that makes this car a crossover, located behind.
“Kalina Cross”: design is better than Chinese
In general, the car looks quite good.One of the main achievements of the chief designer is that the exterior of the model turned out much better than the craftsmen from the Middle Kingdom invented. There is nothing Asian in Kalina Cross, but rather in style the body resembles some models from Renault. Experts say that people in models from VAZ do not immediately recognize the domestic auto industry.
No competitors
According to the statements of specialists, direct competitors"Kalina" in this format practically does not exist. To some extent, Sandero Stepway could be one of the competitors. And there are a lot of examples to follow.
Like on all-wheel-drive station wagons, the Lada Kalina Cross (the owners' reviews fully confirm this) has protective plastic body kit parts all around the perimeter.
In the past, chrome door sills, onthe doors, and the grille are now black. This emphasizes the utilitarian orientation, as well as a certain brutality of the model. The moldings are very wide. They greatly decorate the door. They have a stamp with the model name.
Plastic performs not only decorative functions. Having a double attachment, these plastic parts perfectly protect the body and paintwork from a variety of mechanical damage.
As the developers of the machine “Lada Kalina”Cross ”(reviews of the owners also note this), this car is bought not because there is not enough money for a better one. Now VAZ creates cars that can successfully compete with products of foreign companies.
Interior
Попадая внутрь, сразу кажется, что все в этом the car was designed to get rid of conservative traditions as much as possible. The future owner will see bright orange inserts almost everywhere. They decorated the steering wheel, trim on the doors, seats, and ventilation grilles.
If we discuss the shortcomings in the car"Lada Kalina Cross", reviews indicate the absence of adjustments for the departure of the steering wheel. Also distinguish the low quality of upholstery materials. On the cushions, folds and first scuffs occur within a few days.
In general, it is not worth waiting for something new ininterior decoration. Salon - this is the usual "Kalina". The look immediately clings to the inexpressive plastic, the simple dashboard also does not differ in any aesthetics. But the assembly is quite high quality. The gaps are small, no crickets, no squeaks.
Armchairs
Not left unattended and seats.So, the frame has been slightly modified, and the chair design has changed a bit. The creators managed to emphasize lateral and lumbar support. To increase the comfort of the driver and passengers on long journeys, the experts used a denser filler. When the driver overcomes a sharp turn, passengers no longer need to look for another point of support.
Nobody else slips out of the chairs. In the car "Lada Kalina Cross", which test drive was carried out immediately after the presentation, it is very comfortable and comfortable to sit.
But, there is a small nuance.Conveniently in armchairs will be people of average build. If the person is larger, he will have to get used to the side parts of the seats, which slightly rest on the back. But all this is permissible for a car from a budget class. The back sofa is quite spacious for two.
Although the manufacturer claims that the salondesigned for five, fit behind three passengers will not be too comfortable. There is a lot of space for legs, above the head it is also quite free. The volume of the luggage compartment, despite the station wagon, is a little sad. He is only 240 liters.
Clearance
Finally, a salon review ("Lada Kalina Cross")will become interesting. As already noted, the creators raised the ground clearance by as much as 2.5 mm. Now the ground clearance is 210 mm. This was achieved thanks to the recycled suspension and the use of gas shock absorbers. The role of tires in increasing ground clearance is, but it is minimal. Large wheels forced designers to increase the wheel arches.
Now they will have 15 ’discs.Engineers and crankcase protection have been improved - now it more reliably guards engine parts from various damages. But protection is not a reason to drive carelessly. Not worth it, despite the cross, stormed on the "Kalina" high curbs.
Engine
Patency must be supplementedsufficient traction. Under the hood, you can find one of the two power units. There will be no surprises. As before, only petrol units of 1.6 liters are used.
The first engine develops up to 106 liters. with. The second is weaker - he has 20 less horses.
It has a torque rating of 140 Nm per3800 about In addition to the power difference between these units in the number of valves. More powerful - 16 klapannik. The engines are generally good and quite flexible. The rise can be felt after 2 thousand. And after 3 thousand, you can even feel the pickup. In the city and outside the city in a car "Lada Kalina Cross" fuel consumption varies by 3 liters. But does not exceed 8.5 l / 100 km.
Transmission
Motors work with a mechanical five-speedCAT. The automatic on Kalina Cross will be installed, but not soon. Gearbox is equipped with cable. In the main gear, the engineers replaced the gears. This made it possible to slightly increase the transmission ratio. This is a fairly effective solution when you need to increase the permeability.
Car equipment
“Lada Kalina Cross” is currently offered only inone complete set is “Norm”. It provides airbag, climate control, heated front seats, audio system. For safety and control there is ABS.
All information about the condition of the car is displayedon the monitor. Multisystem confidently plays video and audio files. As for additional gadgets, you can connect a rear-view camera to the system. The conditioner is specially designed for the domestic climate. Soundproofing is improved, but stock tires make a lot of noise. Also about the car "Lada Kalina Cross" actively leave feedback about the sound quality of the speaker system.
Driving characteristics
High ground clearance and new gas dampers gaveits fruits. If you quickly move on asphalt, the car holds the trajectory perfectly. If you dynamically move the steering wheel, the reaction is also good. In general, on the pavement, this "crossover" rides very well - there are rolls, but small, you can feel good feedback with the road on the steering wheel.
On the unevenness of the car "Kalina Cross" alsorides well Dense suspension, which was previously in the luxury "Kalina", in this model came even more opportunely. But if the roads turn bad, the situation changes.
With the rapid intersection of speed bumps or"Waves", racks literally shoot out and at the same time make a lot of noise. On a country track, the car also goes surprisingly well. Off-road geometry is enough for comfort, but the racks fail. And go fast - scary.
The effectiveness of the braking system is not objectively changed, but the slowdown is quite pleasant.
The brake pedal no longer fails, and the pads “seize” even with minimal effort.
The engines clearly lack dynamics, so goovertaking on this "crossover" is undesirable and sometimes dangerous. If the driver does decide to overtake the wagon, which moves at 90 km / h, then he will have to press the gas for a very long time in order for the Lada Kalina Cross to gain the necessary speed. A test drive in the city showed that it is best to start overtaking in third gear.
Owner feedback
In general, expect too much from this car.- this is mistake. But if we discard all compromises and deficiencies, the car is excellent. True, some owners still have claims to the manufacturer. Every now and then something fails, the suspension knocks, and small, annoying troubles happen. If you are going to buy a car "Lada Kalina Cross", reviews of owners with photos - this is the first thing to be studied.
