CONCEPT
In addition, it will be necessary to significantly reduce the damage caused by the car to the environment both “during life” (toxicity and noise requirements) and after (disposal problems). For example, in 2010, the European Union will most likely adopt the Euro V toxicity standards, and in Russia, God willing, Euro IV, and for all cars produced.
So the release of today's cars will soon be outlawed. And no modernization or restyling will help.
WHAT TO DO?
VAZ marketers believe that a true full-size C-class is not enough in the range of cars. But such a machine cannot be made on the basis of already produced ones - with an increase in engine size, the gearbox, clutch, and drives, and CV joints should also change. Of the existing front-wheel drive units created for the Samara engine, the VAZ has already squeezed everything that is possible. For example, the maximum transmitted moment of nine-ten gearboxes is 140 N.m. In other words, a new car is indispensable.
FUTURE CONTOURS
The purpose of the concept is to become this newest car, the launch of which is planned for 2010-2012. Obviously, his body will have to focus on new requirements for passive safety. And the appearance of the car to a certain extent is connected with this. The hood, for example, should be moderately soft, capable of damping collapse when a pedestrian falls on it in case of collision. For the linker, this means that enough free space should be provided between the hood and engine.
We will have to create another platform with a new chassis and power unit. So far, in the future, already existing engines with a volume of 1.6-1.8 liters. However, the engine compartment is made taking into account the two-liter engine. Transverse arrangement (on a stretcher), driving wheels - front, manual transmission, five-speed. It is possible that diesel and automatic transmission will appear on this list.
The rear suspension is independent and most likely also on a stretcher. It is developed taking into account all-wheel drive modifications, that is, the gearbox and rear-wheel drive can be delivered without any suspension changes. The wheels are big - fifteen-inch.
The creators of the concept position the car as inexpensive in its class, family, universal purpose - for every day, at the weekend to the country, and on vacation with the family. Capacity - five tall people (up to 184 cm) with comfort. The adjustment range of the front seats will be sufficient and 190-centimeter, but behind it, only a middling 173-175 cm tall can be comfortably seated behind it. There will be 100 liters of space in the trunk for luggage of each passenger, and the total volume of at least 500!
Particular attention is paid to comfort: comfortable fit, a powerful ventilation and heating system, highly efficient blowing and defrosting of glass and, which is especially important for Russia, the reliability of cold starting. The ratio of conflicting characteristics “controllability and stability / smoothness” will be selected not for high-speed autobahns, but for average Russian roads.
In addition, special attention is paid to the quality of the car, its components and assemblies, and their reliability. Planned resource - 200 thousand kilometers. Recall that among the VAZ cars, the "tenth" family is still leading. For him, the plant measured 150 thousand kilometers.
Saturation with various options today is determined by the minimum and maximum configurations. The latter is needed for timely laying it in the design and the corresponding layout of the entire car. The minimum is a compromise between price and mandatory technical equipment.
The cheapest “standard” includes an electric power steering and front airbags that help the car get a high EuroNCAP passive safety rating. Perhaps the law will require an anti-lock brake system. The upper limit, that is, "luxury", is already a complete set of pillows, including side airbags, traction control, parking and navigation systems, but the middle ground, as usual, will be occupied by the "norm", the filling of which will determine consumer demand.