Lada Xray
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Togliatti , Russia |
| Products | Automobiles, including Lada XRAY |
The Lada XRAY is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by the Russian company AvtoVAZ. Created under the direction of Steve Mattin, who also led the design of the Lada Vesta, the XRAY was initially revealed as a concept vehicle in August 2012 at the Moscow International Automobile Salon. A refreshed concept version appeared in 2014. Its production commenced in early 2016 but ceased in 2022 due to component shortages caused by international sanctions following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Overview
The Lada XRAY made its first concept appearance at the Moscow International Automobile Salon in August 2014. It is based on the Dacia Sandero hatchback from Automobile Dacia, a subsidiary of Renault that oversees AvtoVAZ. Despite this foundation, the XRAY incorporates unique design elements, engine configurations, transmissions, and features not offered on the Sandero within the Russian market.
Manufacturing started in December 2015 at AvtoVAZ’s Togliatti facility, with retail availability beginning on February 14, 2016. Representing AvtoVAZ's inaugural compact urban crossover, the XRAY is constructed on the Dacia B0 platform, developed through cooperation between Renault and AvtoVAZ engineers. The model is available in seven different trim variants.
Powertrain options include a 1.6-liter and a 1.8-liter petrol engine, with a 5-speed automated manual transmission offered exclusively on the 1.8-liter variant. These engines, designed by VAZ, comply with Euro5 emission regulations. The original 1.6-liter Renault-Nissan HR16 petrol motor was phased out in July 2016.
Production
The initial body for testing purposes was assembled in Tolyatti in October 2015, with full-scale production launching in December of the same year. The vehicle entered the Russian market by February 2016.
Lada XRAY Cross
In July 2019, AvtoVAZ released an upgraded version called the 'Lada XRAY Cross,' which introduced an automatic transmission alongside modern multimedia capabilities such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In April 2020, the 'Lada XRAY Cross Instinct' variant was introduced, featuring integration with the Yandex.Auto multimedia platform.
Lada XRAY Concept
The Lada XRAY prototype was crafted by Vercarmodel Saro in Italy at an estimated cost of $1 million, marking AvtoVAZ’s venture into the crossover segment with a bold design and leather-trimmed interior. It boasts a futuristic dashboard paired with an advanced infotainment system, highlighted by refined exterior details including elongated slim headlights and a signature "X"-shaped front grille.
The designation XRAY symbolizes both electromagnetic radiation and serves as an acronym representing its market focus: X for crossover category, R for recreation, A for activity, and Y for youth.
Market Reception
Justin Cupler from TopSpeed emphasized the stringent confidentiality surrounding the Lada XRAY before its unveiling at the Moscow Motor Show, praising its innovative exterior and interior styling as a bold move by AvtoVAZ within the competitive SUV landscape.