Developed back in the mid-80s, the Oka VAZ 1111 is still in steady demand. And the point is not at all about the perfection of the design or the attractive design - the car is still the cheapest passenger car. Nevertheless, this car has no serious prospects. Even if you meet the requirements of Euro II, transferring the engine to injection or picking up a modern foreign analogue, then you won’t be able to increase the active and, moreover, passive safety of an obsolete car. It's time to think about replacing the only Russian class A model.
The VAZ demonstrated the running model of the Project 1121, or, more simply, the Oka-2, at the Russian International Motor Show in 2003 (see ЗР, 2003, No. 8, 10). That model was in a luxury version: a VAZ 2111 four-cylinder engine, 175 / 70R14 wheels with tires, power windows, electric door locks, electric door mirrors. The budget version with the “Okovsky” engine equipped with an injection system was also meant.
And now, some of the plans are implemented in metal - in the NTC of VAZ they manufactured and started testing four prototypes of the Oka-2 with two-cylinder injection engines. We managed to get to know one of them better.
What does not suit potential owners in the serial Oka? Women, as a rule, are inexpressive outdated design and cramped interior. Men, in addition, are confused by a weak motor and a low level of security. And what does the novelty demonstrate? Externally, the experimental car differs little from the exhibition one - almost the same (165 / 70R13) wheels, massive bumpers in body color, original block headlights and taillights according to the current fashion. But instead of two brushes on the windshield … one again. Whether it will be so on all modifications or the “luxury” still gets two brushes is still unknown.
A fairly spacious interior for a car of this class, with much more comfortable seats than the current Oka, and a new instrument panel, will appeal not only to miniature ladies, but also to men. It’s a pity, the steering column adjustment is not provided, and the pedal assembly seemed a bit cramped, although at this stage of development it is too early to write this down.
One of the prototypes was tested for frontal impact and, according to vaz specialists, showed very good results. The comments turned out to be insignificant, and the developers have already made the necessary changes to the body structure. In addition, in terms of torsional rigidity, the body of the “Project 1121” surpasses even some more impressive models!
The car with which we met will soon also fall into a crash test - this time the blow will be lateral. Of course, it’s a pity for the machine, but first of all, and the confidence that the result of these tests will be good, inspire unusually powerful body thresholds.
In terms of its dynamic qualities, the car is close to the usual "Oka" - because the power unit has not acquired anything new, except for injection. In order to confidently stay in the dynamic Tolyatti flow, a two-cylinder 750-cc engine must be constantly “spurred”, which is usual for the “shackles”.
