Lada 110
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Tolyatti , Russia |
| Products | Automobiles, including Lada 110 series |
The Lada 110—also referred to as the VAZ-2110—is a compact car manufactured by the Russian company AvtoVAZ between 1995 and 2009. This model spawned two variants: the Lada 111 station wagon and the Lada 112 hatchback.
In 2007, the Lada 110 lineup was replaced by the Lada Priora, a thoroughly redesigned and modernized vehicle built upon the original Lada 110 platform.
History
The initial prototype of the Lada 110, designated as the 300 series, was created in 1987 with aerodynamic consultation from Porsche engineers based in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Early photographs surfaced in November 1990, followed by a public unveiling at AvtoVAZ’s Tolyatti facility in 1991. Although production was originally slated for 1992, economic difficulties postponed mass manufacturing until June 27, 1995.
At launch, the car was powered by a 1.6-liter, 8-valve engine delivering approximately , with later versions introducing a more advanced 16-valve engine option. The vehicle’s weight was around 1050 kg and it came equipped with features like electric windows, a trip computer, power steering, galvanized body panels, and on select models, fuel injection combined with electronic engine control. A facelift implemented in early 2006 refreshed the rear lights and dashboard design.
The Lada 110 enjoyed robust popularity within Russia’s domestic market and continues to be a preferred choice among taxi drivers in the Southern Federal District due to its affordability.
In 2007, AvtoVAZ updated and reintroduced the Lada 110 series under the new name Lada Priora.
Trim levels
The model was offered in three distinct trims: Standard, Normal, and Luxe.
The Standard trim featured essentials such as a clock, heated rear window, power locks for doors and trunk, an onboard control system, immobilizer, body-colored bumpers, tweed upholstery on doors and seats, plus front head restraints. The Normal trim added electric windows, anti-glare side mirrors, velour seating surfaces, and rear head restraints. At the top end, the Luxe trim included heated front seats, a trip computer, fog lamps, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, velvet upholstery, a trunk spoiler with integrated brake lights, and tinted glass.
The Lada-112 five-door hatchback gained popularity among enthusiasts for customization. Multiple Tolyatti-based firms provided body kits: APAL crafted kits for Lada BIS 110/111; Tornado, Katran, Grossmeyster; AKS from Kurage; Autostyle by Tomcat; Motorica developed the Lada 110M—a factory-approved restyled variant from AvtoVAZ. Pit-Stop produced Grand Rally and Rally Sport editions; Arsenal-Auto created the Sprint model. Super-Avto engineered a version with a 1.8-liter engine as well as an extended-length sedan (VAZ-21108 Premier), both officially recognized by AvtoVAZ. Motorica also introduced the sportier VAZ-21106 featuring a tuned Opel engine delivering 135 PS along with modified bodywork. In partnership with AvtoVAZ, Enterprise developed the Consul (1999–2006) and the four-wheel-drive Lada Tarzan based on the lifted Lada 111 wagon mounted on a separate chassis frame.
Lada 111
The Lada 111 or VAZ-2111 represents AvtoVAZ’s front-wheel-drive station wagon adaptation of the Lada 110 platform produced from 1998 until 2009. Production continues under Ukraine’s Bogdan group as the "Bogdan 2111" with minimal alterations.
Launched in 1998 as Russia’s inaugural front-wheel-drive station wagon, the Lada 111 provides versatile cargo capacity through a split-folding rear seat (2:3 ratio), expanding storage volume from 490 liters up to 1,420 liters. Its low loading height benefits from front-wheel drive mechanics combined with rear door design. The wagon weighs roughly 20 kg more than its sedan counterpart and has an elevated center of gravity—resulting in a smoother ride but somewhat reduced cornering agility.
Engine configurations included an entry-level VAZ-21110 with three trims: "standard," "normal," and "luxury," all equipped with a 1.5-liter eight-valve engine; higher trims "2111" and "2113" offered a sixteen-valve unit; "2112" models featured front ventilated disc brakes comparable to those on sedan VAZ-21103. Fuel-injected versions "2111" and "2112" incorporated catalytic converters; carbureted variants ceased production by 2002. From autumn 2004 onward, all engines were upgraded to 1.6-liter units: models "21112" (8 valves) and "21114" (16 valves). Every version utilized shorter primary gearing ratios (3.9 versus the sedan’s 3.7). Other mechanical updates aligned closely with those introduced for the Lada 110 sedan series.
Variants
- LADA-21111 (VAZ-21111) — equipped with a 1.5-liter carbureted engine;
- LADA-21109 (VAZ-21109) Consul — features a 16-valve, 1.6-liter, 89 hp 21124 fuel-injected engine (Limo);
- LADA-21110 (VAZ-21110) — powered by an 8-valve, 1.5-liter fuel-injected engine (Lada 111 1.5 Li);
- LADA-21113 (VAZ-21113) — comes with a 16-valve, 1.5-liter fuel-injected engine;
- LADA-21112 (VAZ-21112) — includes an 8-valve, 1.6-liter, 80 hp 21114 fuel-injected engine;
- LADA-21114 (VAZ-21114) — equipped with a 16-valve, 1.6-liter, 89 hp 21124 fuel-injected engine;
- LADA-21116 (VAZ-21116-04) — fitted with a 2.0-liter, 150 hp Opel C20XE engine and four-wheel drive;
- VAZ-2111-90 Tarzan-2 — combines the VAZ-21111 body on a ladder frame with Niva drivetrain components, powered by a 1.8-liter engine producing between 80 and 85 hp, featuring four-wheel drive (SUV);
- VAZ-2111-90 Pilgrim — uses the VAZ-21111 body mounted on a ladder chassis with Niva mechanicals, powered by a 1.8-liter engine rated at 80 or 85 hp, equipped with four-wheel drive (SUV-Pickup).
Lada 112
The Lada 112 or VAZ-2112 represents the hatchback version of the Lada 110, introduced in 1999. Marketed as a more contemporary and refined option compared to conventional Ladas, it achieved notable success within Russia. It is available with inline-four engines ranging from 1.5 to 1.6 liters, delivering approximately 90 hp in both eight-valve and sixteen-valve variants. The vehicle reaches a maximum speed of around 185 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in roughly twelve seconds. Transmission is handled by a five-speed manual gearbox, while braking utilizes rear drum brakes; its weight varies between approximately 1,050 and 1,230 kilograms.
Assembly took place in Russia at AvtoVAZ and Super-Avto facilities in Tolyatti, as well as in Romania at Dunarea S.A. in Bucharest. The model was offered as a five-door hatchback and a three-door coupé, both featuring front-engine, front-wheel-drive configurations closely related to the Lada 110 and VAZ 2111 platforms.
Lada 112 Coupé
AvtoVAZ developed the 112 Coupé variant distinguished by its three-door configuration instead of the standard five doors found on the base model. Production was carried out at VAZ’s subsidiary plant, where it succeeded the Lada Nadezhda on pilot assembly lines. This Coupé variant was phased out in 2008 following the introduction of the Lada Priora hatchback.
Manufacturing beyond Russia
Despite AvtoVAZ ceasing production of the Lada 110 series in 2007, manufacturing continued under license by the Bogdan in Ukraine as the Bogdan 2110 until production ended in 2014. Additionally, production persisted in Egypt until the year 2015.
Safety
In crash testing conducted by the Russian ARCAP safety program in 2002, this model received no stars out of a possible four. Although its interior layout and robust structural design outperformed competitors such as the Nissan Almera, Ford Escort, and Mitsubishi Lancer, significant chest compression caused by seat belts underscored the necessity for airbags along with modern restraint systems incorporating pretensioners and load limiters to comply with updated safety regulations.
Motorsport
The Lada 110 was entered into competition during the 2008 World Touring Car Championship season by Russian Bears Motorsport, piloted by drivers Viktor Shapovalov (#28) and Jaap van Lagen (#29).
For the 2009 World Touring Car Championship season, Team LADA Sport fielded three Lada 110 vehicles driven by Jaap Van Lagen, Kirill Ladygin, and Viktor Shapovalov before transitioning to newer Prioras midway through the season.