There are several ways in Germany to get a new car at a real price of around 10.000 euros or even less. In addition to the entry-level or special models of small and micro cars from established manufacturers, these are primarily models from the Romanian Renault subsidiary Dacia and the Russian brand Lada, The Kalina Cross (station wagon), which is one of the (large) small cars with a length of 4,10 meters, costs 10.690 euros according to the list. There is a 1,6-liter petrol engine (72 kW / 98 hp) as the drive, which is supposed to drink 6,7 liters per 100 kilometers.
As always with Lada, there is simple but robust technology. On the other hand, today's common solutions such as direct injection, turbo or valve control are dispensed with. But there is always air conditioning and seat heating - the Russian climate sends its regards. And safety equipment such as ESP plus tire pressure monitoring are mandatory in the EU anyway.
Nevertheless, 950 of the 1.200 German Lada customers did not choose one of the classic cars last year, but opted for the legendary 4 × 4 (better known as Niva). That should change now, because with the brand-new Vesta, a very chic hatchback sedan, which is due to go on sale in late 2016, and the really modern looking SUV X-Ray (2017), the Russians want to crank up. Marketing manager Bernd Haack is already planning to more than double sales to 2.500 units earlier this year.
With the now available Kalina Cross, which stands out due to its striking side paneling and a body that is 2,2 centimeters higher, Lada makes a delicate attempt to win new and different customers. Above all, the target is younger buyers, says Haack. The average age is currently 55 years.
The Kalina Cross with its concise planks will of course not be able to elicit emotions in the sense of driving pleasure and desirable brand image from young or old drivers. But it is also not a bad car. The feeling of space is okay, the instruments seem simple, but not cheap in a negative sense. The 1,6-liter four-cylinder offers enough punch for everyday life to swim properly in traffic. Even the overtaking of a truck on the mountain is easy thanks to the very short translation. On the other hand, this ensures a high speed level, which is annoying on long freeway journeys - however, the freeway is also not the preferred area of application for such a vehicle. And then another tip: The technicians should work again on the shiftability of the manual five-speed gearbox, because its lever is moving too jerkily.
The Kalina Cross owner can be certain of one fact - he has an automotive rarity. A Dacia Logan can be seen on almost every street corner today. The answer to the question of why one should buy a Lada instead of a Dacia, however, remains unanswered. There is only agreement on the fact that one would at least poach those interested in Dacia. After all, the next Lada models will be created in collaboration with Renault, after all, the French-American group had taken over a quarter of AvtoVaz, the Lada mother.
Maybe there is still some hope for more emotions at Lada - the use of turbo engines would be a start, for example. In any case, the Russians are already active in motorsport: after all, the Vesta is in a heavily modified form at the WTCC.