AvtoVAZ has officially launched production of the Lada Azimut crossover at its Togliatti facility as of September 25. The initial lineup, scheduled for market release by the end of 2026, will feature 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engines producing 120 hp and 132 hp, respectively. These models will be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT.
The manufacturer plans to expand the powertrain options for the Azimut in 2027 by introducing a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 150 hp. This unit will be coupled with a traditional hydro-mechanical automatic transmission. According to company president Maxim Sokolov, the new configuration will undergo rigorous testing and refinement before series production begins.
Looking further ahead, AvtoVAZ intends to add a hybrid version of the crossover to its portfolio by 2028. A prototype of this hybrid model has already been tested by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov. The development strategy for the Azimut, which is built on an upgraded Lada Vesta platform, was presented to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during the Innoprom exhibition in Minsk.
