Lada Kalina NFR: technical characteristics, interior and exterior features, equipment

In 2021, AvtoVAZ's subsidiary Lada Sport LLC began production of a new serial product - a sports car based on the Lada Kalina. It is called the hottest hatchback of the domestic auto industry, capable of competing in design and power with foreign representatives of the same class. We are talking about the Lada Kalina NFR, which was created for racing on the race track.

Historical reference

The goal for engineering and production was to modernize VAZ cars at an accelerated pace. It was necessary to use motorsports resources, as well as develop and put into mass production sports versions of civilian Lada cars. The unit completed its tasks successfully. Since 2013, more than 5,000 cars have been produced. In September 2015, work began on the production of a new “charged” version of the Lada Kalina Sport with the abbreviation NFR (Need For Race - translated from English). By the end of the year, 50 copies had already been produced.

The official presentation of the Lada Kalina NFR took place during the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship), which was held in Moscow. It was noted that this is not just a sports modification, but a car of a completely different direction.

Within a few months, the Russian sports car was presented to the general public at the Moscow International Auto Show. Today the model is not mass-produced, only to order.

Unlike the Kalina Sport version, the NFR is equipped with:

subframe and wishbones;
limited slip differential;
enhanced braking system;
updated Ferrum instrument panel;
modified seats and steering wheel.

Under the hood there is a modified naturally aspirated engine with index 21126. The interior trim is exclusive.

Test drive Lada Kalina NFR: Your own pride

Classic plot: one runs away, the other catches up. The distribution of roles is no less traditional - my opponent’s multi-hundred-horsepower engine takes him out on the straights, and the light weight, powerful brakes and excellently tuned chassis allow my car to win back in the corners. Only the cars themselves are not traditional - the Range Rover Sport SVR, driven by Mikhail Kozlov, and the Kalina NFR, in which I am trying to keep up. Crossover and domestic hatchback on the track? Times change! And after a couple of turns, I can say with full responsibility that they are changing for the better.

NFR stands for Need For Race, so our impromptu duel could not have come at a better time. Compressor V8 with 550 hp. leaves me no chance at every acceleration - the Range Rover is catapulted into another dimension.

Togliatti residents are learning to make fast and at the same time balanced cars. Granta Sport, Kalina Sport and now NFR - each subsequent car makes you more and more happy!

The difference in the potential of the two cars is especially noticeable on the 800-meter return straight. But I already know that no matter how far Mikhail gets away from me, I will do it already in the Mercedes-AMG Arena. Because Kalina can do incredibly much! The most powerful brakes allow you to slow down in 50 meters where everyone else slows down in 100, and the defiantly aggressive setting of the limited-slip differential means you step on the gas incredibly early. Lada? Just what you need!

Kalina NFR was born for the track,

and in the city it will not be easy for her.
It's too noisy and harsh for everyday driving, and the quality of the interior leaves much to be desired. But as soon as you leave the roads, you simply don’t care about all the disadvantages . Our race has already lasted several laps, but the brakes don’t even seem to get tired, and I myself merge with the car so much that the prospect of entering the pits seems like the hardest test in my life. But still, it’s time to know, I turn on “neutral” and slowly roll along the pit lane. My life will never be the same. Because I fell in love. Fell in love with a car from Tolyatti. And before, when choosing the “Sports Car of the Year”, I have already experienced this heady feeling: for the Renault Clio RS and Megane RS, BMW 1M, Ferrari 458 Italia and FF, Porsche 911 Turbo and now – “Kalina NFR”.

It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered a car that’s so close to a racing car in character. The engine does not start immediately - the starter rotates the crankshaft a little longer than usual, just like on the racing Volkswagen Polo, which I drove in the Russian Rally Cup in 2013, and when it starts, it transmits vibrations to the entire body. Both the pedals and the steering wheel shake. Lightly, so that the driver understands that this is not just a “low pelvis”.

Roman Rusinov

This is great! This is really cool! “Lada” was incredibly surprising. First of all, the brakes: the car is light, the brakes are very good and grippy. And for that kind of money, NFR is really cool! If your Golf computer breaks down, you will pay 100,000 rubles for it, a sixth of a Lada. Of course, the steering wheel is a bit long, I even had to almost intercept it somewhere. And what about lowering the seat, huh? And make sure you have a good grip. And put a larger brake pedal so that you can change the throttle - for old people like me who have already forgotten what it is. But still the car is very cool, I really liked it. I would like to say this: “There is hope that the Russian automobile industry has a great future!

The sound of the engine, both inside and outside, also leaves no doubt - this is not just a “direct flow”, this evil comes straight from the heart, from the engine.

And, of course, differential locking. Even in a parking lot, you feel how, with a barely noticeable addition of gas, the car is pulled to the side. On the track, such an aggressive setting allows you to press the gas long before the apex, contrary to all the rules for driving a front-wheel drive car.

Kalina NFR is the most expensive, most powerful and fastest Lada in history. And for the track day lover it’s also the best

Does it seem like you haven't slowed down enough? Feel free to press the right pedal! “Kalina” dives into the turn with incredible eagerness. And every next lap you brake later and press the gas earlier. You clearly underestimate this baby, and she is clearly ready to pull out more than one trump card from her sleeve. Bliss! And the greater the pleasure, the more often you remember - this is a domestic car, it was developed by our engineers, perfected by our test pilots. Do the Soviets have their own pride? Now the Russians have it too! And the price: 649,000 rubles. Once again in words - six hundred forty-nine thousand rubles. What can you buy for this money? Polo or Solaris in the middle configuration? But neither one nor the other will ever give so much buzz on the track.

How did they do this? Unlike Kalina Sport, the NFR front suspension is mounted on a subframe, and the body is additionally reinforced with struts. Thanks to this, the car follows the steering wheel more willingly, and the steering wheel itself pleases with a clear effort and a clear “zero”.

We should also thank the original lower suspension arms and low-profile tires on 17-inch wheels (in order for them to fit into the arches, we even had to increase the camber of the wheels). Well, the secret of great brakes is the same as that of the old Clio RS 182 - they were simply taken from a larger and heavier production model. In this case from Renault Megane.

Maxim Trusov

Appearance is not the car's strong point, although the rear diffuser and 17-inch wheels look great. In the cabin, sportiness begins and ends with seats with bucket seats. Tall drivers rest their heads against the ceiling, and adjustments are minimal. But the usual “Lada” ends when you boldly rev the engine to 7000 and only have time to click the gears, receiving incredible pleasure from the clear and short stroke of the lever. Well, what amazes the NFR is its brakes: after hitting the pedal, the car literally stood up where thoroughbred sports cars were just starting to brake. Don't let this shock you: it's not Porsche and Mercedes that are so bad, it's NFR that's so good.

Of course, free cheese is only in a mousetrap. To keep the price at a reasonable level, Tolyatti residents were forced to save. And that's why in the NFR you sit like a rooster on the roost - such high-mounted seats would be more suitable for a crossover than a hot hatch. And the lateral support is not much better than on the same perch. Yes, the interior lacks sporty motifs. Yes, sound insulation leaves much to be desired. Yes, even the front windows don't go all the way down. Yes, it's a Lada, damn it! But I don’t want and won’t scold her, because for this money you can’t get such pleasure from any new car in the world.

Another thing is that by adding 50-100 thousand rubles, you can buy a used hot hatch with a more powerful engine and a more prestigious brand. And this is already a problem. Would speed fans in their right mind really prefer a Kalina to a three-year-old Clio RS? Naturally, the “stick” will not be the freshest, with a lot of components requiring replacement, but who guaranteed that it would be different with the Lada?

Maybe that’s why Nezvankin and the company decided to limit the production to... 50 cars! But why? Homologation! It is the Kalina NFR that should serve as the basis for a whole series of rally and circuit cars Lada. Why, she’s already served. “Kalinas” with characteristic gills on the hood are already achieving success in the Russian Rally Cup and Championship, bringing their pilots to prizes in the Russian circuit racing series. But there is a second reason: no one is going to stop in Tolyatti. Very soon, the NFR Turbo with an even more powerful engine will roll out of the Lada Sport workshops. And then Kozlov and his Range Rover Sport SVR will not have a chance!

Specifications

The engine has become the highlight of the hatchback. This is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder in-line engine with a power of 136 hp. With. Peak power is achieved at 6750 rpm, torque – 165 Nm, fuel consumption – 7-9 liters per 100 km. The 126 engine from Priora was taken as the basis, which was boosted by modernizing the injection system and installing new firmware.

The engine is combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox with a cable drive from the Lada Kalina Sport. In tandem, they accelerate the NFR from zero to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds. In Kalina Sport this figure is 9.5 seconds, but the engine power is 118 “horses”. The maximum speed is set at 203 km/h (sport version – 198 km/h).

In terms of its design, the Lada Kalina with the NFR prefix is not much different from the production model. At the rear there is the same lowered semi-independent rigid beam with hydraulic shock absorbers and springs. Gas-oil shock absorbers and stiffer springs are installed at the front.

The steering mechanism is supplemented with an electric booster. Braking system – all-round disc, ventilated brake discs (front – 296 mm, rear – 260 mm). The hubs are equipped with five studs for mounting 17-inch wheels with low-profile tires 205/40 R17.

From the end of 2021, the car will be equipped with a mechanical locking center differential. The main purpose of this option is to improve handling, make steering more sensitive, and increase torque efficiency.

Passport details

Model	Lada Granta Sport	Lada Kalina Sport	Lada Kalina NFR
Body
Body type	sedan	hatchback	hatchback
Number of doors/seats	4/5	5/5	5/5
Length, mm	4280	3965	3965
Width, mm	1700	1700	1700
Height, mm	1470	1456	1465
Wheelbase, mm	2490	2478	2490
Front/rear track, mm	1430/1420	1431/1432	1431/1440
Curb weight, kg	1140	1150	1215
Total weight, kg	1540	1626	1690
Trunk volume, l	520	240	240
Engine
Type	petrol	petrol	petrol
Location	front, transverse	front, transverse	front, transverse
Number and arrangement of cylinders	4, in a row	4, in a row	4, in a row
Number of valves	16	16	16
Working volume, cm³	1596	1596	1596
Max. power, hp/rpm	114/6000	114/6000	136/6800
Max. torque, N•m/rpm	150/4750	150/4750	154/4750
Transmission
Transmission	mechanical, five-speed	mechanical, five-speed	mechanical, five-speed
Drive unit	front	front	front
Chassis
Front suspension	independent, spring, McPherson	independent, spring, McPherson	independent, spring, McPherson
Rear suspension	semi-independent, spring	semi-independent, spring	semi-independent, spring
Front brakes	ventilated disc	ventilated disc	ventilated disc
Rear brakes	disk	disk	disk
Tires	195/50 R16	195/50 R16	205/40 R17
Ground clearance, mm	150	150	150
Performance characteristics
Maximum speed, km/h	195	195	205
Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h, s	9,5	9,5	9,2
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
— urban cycle	10,1	10,1	11,0
- suburban cycle	6,8	6,8	7,4
- mixed cycle	8,6	8,6	8,9
Toxicity standard	Euro 5	Euro 5	Euro 5
Fuel tank capacity, l	50	50	50
Fuel	AI-95	AI-95	AI-95

Interior

The first thing that catches your eye is the updated steering wheel and dashboard. Original touches have been added - yellow stitching on the seats and steering wheel upholstery. The dashboard has changed the most. Its development and installation is carried out by the Tolyatti company Ferrum. Bright red arrows appeared on the instruments, the speedometer and tachometer swapped places. When the ignition is turned on, the panel is tested - all arrows go through a full circle and return to zero. The Lada Kalina logo appears on the screen.

The steering wheel, handle and gearshift lever cover are trimmed in leather. The front seats have a sporty shape with pronounced support. Both the front and rear seats are upholstered differently - they have Alcantara-like inserts with embroidered logos. Yellow-orange threads are used for embroidery. This color is a characteristic feature of all sports cars.

Presented characteristics

Factory specifications indicate that the engine power is 140 horsepower. However, when the presentation took place, the manufacturer was already talking about 135 hp. With. This does not greatly affect the driving performance, and still the Kalina NFR car made an excellent impression on the audience - the technical characteristics are truly impressive. Although it is worth saying that AvtoVAZ continues to work on improving the engine.

During the test drive, the tachometer was increased to 7 thousand revolutions, while the car continued to work. But still a flaw was noticed. Under constant load, fuel stopped flowing and the monitor stopped working for a while. But, judging by the reviews of the owners, this oversight has been corrected. A similar problem occurs in many engines and cars, so Kalina 2 is no exception. NFR is its successor, so this problem was transferred to the new model. By the way, it is worth noting that for this model, manual assembly has been established on the basis of Lada Sport LLC.

Some changes have been made at the factory. Firstly, the receiver has been improved, and secondly, the collector has been changed. Some characteristics were taken from the Lada Granta.

The engine received an improved cooling system. This is due to changes to the hood. The installed suspension guarantees good stability when cornering, even the sharpest. It’s not for nothing that the car claims to be a sports car. If we talk about the combination of architecture and ideology, then for the Russian Federation the NFR is a completely new car that can amaze every driver, even the most capricious and those who do not believe in the power. It's worth buying it anyway.

Exterior of Kalina NFR

Externally, there are practically no major changes, but those that exist hint at an aggressive driving style. The chrome inserts on the radiator grille have been removed, and there are none on the PTF frame. A carbon substrate appeared on the false grille under the AvtoVAZ logo. There are two air intakes installed at the edges of the hood, and at the rear there is a new spoiler, thanks to which the appearance of the car has become more expressive. The bumpers and door sills have also been modified.

Light alloy spoked wheels with a bolt pattern of 5/100 are installed. Due to the lowered pillars, the ground clearance is reduced to 130 mm. This is typical for sports cars, but for everyday use this ground clearance is not enough.

Price Lada Kalina NFR

The price of the Lada Kalina NFR has not been officially announced, but according to preliminary information, the cost of the “charged” hatch will be about 650 thousand rubles . As for the configuration, the car will have all the options of the luxury version of the regular Kalina.

Video Lada Kalina NFR

On the Internet you can find a video review of the new Kalina NFR. Let's watch the video.

Of course, the Lada Kalina NFR does not have great market prospects. The reason is the availability of the regular version of Kalina Sport, which today can be bought for less than 500 thousand rubles. And paying more for the opportunity to accelerate a second faster is not very rational.

Disadvantages of the car

The suspension on the NFR turned out to be overly stiff, but that’s what’s needed for racing. You will especially feel all the “charm” of a rigid suspension when driving on broken domestic roads; even impressive handling will not save you. Kalina NFR is practically devoid of roll when cornering, but the 17-inch wheels touch the fender liners. The same effect is observed during sharp braking, when the mass of the car jerks forward.

The next problem is related to incorrect firmware: the software does not provide protection against speeds above the maximum. With a permissible maximum of 6750 rpm, the engine easily spins up to 7000 rpm and above. Insufficiently configured software is also indicated by the transition to emergency mode when the driver tries to accelerate the car to maximum speed at maximum speed. I have to restart the engine, but the "Check Engine" light comes on.

Softness is good

I slam the door and slowly roll out to the starting line. The instructor, out of habit, talks about the changes that have befallen the car. I’m concentrating on the first high-speed straight, where I need to evaluate the effectiveness of the disc brakes. Acceleration to “hundreds” of the car takes 9.5 seconds. I pick up the pace, squeeze the clutch and hit the pedal hard. Kalina Sport brakes with a forward squat. The pads grip the wheels tenaciously. On dry asphalt, ABS does not intervene. The car performs the exercise smoothly, without the urge to crawl to the side.

Then - several turns with turns and a snake. I go around the first cone at about 40 km/h, and then I start rolling around with the steering wheel shifting. The rack with the amplifier is the same here, so you have to lay the steering wheel firmly on the sides. Sometimes you even intercept it with your palms. There are also rolls. “Kalina” falls a little during sharp rolls and unloads the rear outer wheel.

LADA Kalina Sport. Photo: LADA

I taxi out of the site on a long straight. This is almost an average Russian road with waves of asphalt, gouges, a blurred shoulder and old telegraph poles without wire. This is where the quality of the suspension is best determined. And LADA Kalina Sport has excellent quality. You can fly over Russian potholes without thinking and wonder why your fellow passengers pull over to the side of the road when they encounter potholes. The car swallows potholes without choking. Who is this car suitable for?

LADA Kalina Sport. Photo: LADA

First of all, for young tuning connoisseurs. LADA is relatively cheap. In any store there are dozens of tuning packages, supported by offers from workshops for chipping and fine-tuning power units. After their installation, many cars take on a strange and even ridiculous appearance. Low body, strange spoilers, body kits with diffusers and a meaningless wing. Naturally, there is no question of any safety of such crafts. Fortunately, the plant decided to put an end to the bacchanalia and presented its vision of a proper sports car.

In addition, you can stick a roll cage into the car and go to entry-level rallies. It is Kalina Sport that yesterday’s boys who have mastered the tactics of karting can switch to. But it’s better to do this with another car, namely the NFR version.

Options and prices

All cars from Lada Sport are produced in the maximum configuration by default. It includes:

front airbags;
ABS system;
multimedia system;
heated front seats;
rain and light sensors;
fog lights;
air conditioner;
parking sensors

The division plans to release an exclusive version of the NFR, equipped with a turbocharged engine capable of increasing power to 180 hp. With. In 2015, the estimated cost was 650,000 rubles for the Light version, which had 16-inch wheels and brakes from the Kalina Sport version, and also lacked some additional options for the maximum configuration. But the real price turned out to be 820,000 rubles, and later even 850,000 rubles, while Kalina Sport is estimated at 550,000 rubles.

At the same time, the latter is practically in no way inferior to the NFR in terms of equipment and technical capabilities. Sales did not live up to expectations; there were few people willing to shell out an additional 300,000 rubles for yellow stitching, a new instrument panel and an NFR nameplate. For this reason, after the production of the first 50 Lada Kalina NFR cars, they are produced only by order.

Technical capabilities

Experts include the use of French parts (Megane) in the suspension and braking system among the design decisions made during the production of the NFR.
The chassis has been modernized (except for the rear beam). The manufacturer borrowed the hubs from Renault, which had a positive effect on the drive. At high speeds the engine growls, and at low speeds the engine runs intermittently. The standard clutch comes in the form of long-travel pedals, which ensures smooth movement. The brake and accelerator pedals have a similar design. They are easy to manage. Lada NFR quickly picks up speed (while maintaining speed in the red zone). When switching to 2nd gear, a “failure” is observed. After acceleration, the car continues to move at the same speed. This process is observed when the engine howls, turning into a squeal.

If the vehicle moves at a speed of more than 130 km/h, then aerodynamic noise appears. The comfort level is high. This is achieved due to the presence of a sports suspension of moderate rigidity. Shock absorbers and struts were developed by AvtoVAZ specialists. The engine crankcase is installed above the subframe. There is no motor protection. If necessary, you can install it yourself. It is recommended to use thick metal for this. Welding work is carried out with the help of professionals.

The ground clearance of the new product, unlike the regular Kalina, is 2 cm less. The low-slung sports model, high-quality damper tires with grooves, high stability and safety when cornering are the main advantages of the Kalina NFR 2. To increase ground clearance, you can install 17-inch wheels on the car or tune the support springs.

Lada NFR, like Kalina Sport, is assembled by hand.

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Tags appearance, NFR, technical characteristics

Comparison with closest competitors

The cost of the car is quite high. In the segment of Russian cars in its class, this is the most expensive model. The closest competitors are Granta Sport and Kalina Sport. Among foreign cars the situation is different; the following models are available for the same money:

Skoda Fabia RS – 1.4 liter engine, 180 hp. s., turbocharging, acceleration to hundreds in 7.3 seconds, top speed – 224 km/h.
Volkswagen Polo GT – 125 “horses”, engine capacity – 1.4 liters.
Skoda Rapid with a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine and a 7-speed DSG gearbox.
KIA pro_cee'd with a 1.6 liter engine and a power of 135 hp. With.

You can also consider a used Renault Clio RS with a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine producing 200 hp. s., allowing you to reach a maximum speed of 235 km/h.

History of kalina sport pavel karin

The prototype of the sports Kalina appeared in 2006 and was called Kalina GTI. A plastic body kit, 15-inch wheels, disc brakes, a front suspension assembled on a subframe, an original rear beam, electric power steering and a 115-horsepower 16-valve 1.6 with its own intake and exhaust. This car reached a hundred in 10.5 seconds.

The serial Kalina Sport entered the market from AvtoVAZ pilot production in 2008 with two sixteen-valve engines to choose from - 1.4 (89 hp) and 1.6 (98 hp). In the first case, Sport consisted of bumpers, nameplates, a different instrument cluster and hard seats with developed lateral support. And in the second, in addition, there was a sports suspension lowered by 20 mm with original front strut supports, different wheel alignment angles and a gearbox with a 3.9 main gear instead of 3.7. Kalina Sport accelerated to hundreds in 11.5 seconds with a 1.4 engine and in 10.7 seconds with a 1.6 engine. There were no airbags or ABS. With an annual plan of 2,500 cars, 8,251 cars were produced over five years.

LADA (VAZ) Kalina NFR hatchback 5 doors in Russia

Advantages

Possibility of self-service.

✔️Dynamics
✔️Passability
✔️Reliability
✔️Economical
✔️Service cost

Flaws

Guys, how long can you install a stove radiator that will 100% leak within 3-6 years? What kind of “sage” came up with the idea of installing the “brains” under the radiator of the stove, because the harness is long and easily allows you to install the unit under the front passenger shelf. To disassemble the stove you need to scatter half the car. Replacing headlight bulbs is a separate “song” and takes 1.5-2 hours! Corrosion of the rear end in the 3rd year of operation. Ignition coils and thermostat, how can you not love “Kalinovods”. Shock absorbers work only on compression (the 21st century is outside the window!) When driving through shallow holes and steps down, you can get a miscarriage from fear (as if you’ve lost the suspension.) The whole world has long been putting adult wheels of 15-16 inches with a profile of 60-65% on small cars, and the 14th -70%? What about us and our off-road vehicles? !4th with the 60th profile, Well, if we can’t, put it in German! And the price of the car is that of a competitive car. The real cost of such a “miracle of the automobile industry” today should vary from 250 to 350 tr.

✖️Design
✖️Manageability
✖️Interior finishing
✖️Noise insulation
✖️Trunk volume

General impression

In general, if not the offensive miscalculations of our would-be engineers, the car turned out to be good. Has not failed even once in 7.5 years of operation. Now he runs in other hands in the Pskov region. Instead, in December 2021, I bought a Lada X-ray comfort, for as much as 703 thousand rubles. Expensive - terrible!! The car is head and shoulders better than Kalina, but again they put Russian Pirellis on the wheels, stiff as Satan and with a weak sidewall, the “fifth point” you feel every seam of the road, and bumps, with careful driving, appeared at the 3rd thousand km, what’s that ? Install our “Kama” and the problem will be solved; They promised a cooled glove box as an option - SHAAAA! The exhaust, after the first winter, became red, it’s a shame! The real cost of this model is 550-600t.r. on market day. But overall I liked the X-ray, the door seals and sound insulation are super! It's a pity that the front seat can't be folded forward. Why did they save on rear wheel mudguards and a 185x65xR15 spare wheel with 195x65xR15 wheels, dubious savings? I would like to change the geometry of the front suspension from camber - inward to camber - outward, like normal cars, then the handling will improve, with little cost. Why is there no headlight turn off alarm? It's so simple! And the lack of “cruise control,” even though it can be installed in hardware for pennies when installing a multi-steering wheel, completely loses all meaning! But for the subframe and gearbox from Renault - THANK YOU! Love your consumer, because it is He for you, and not you for him, and then He will love you. Today I am running my 9th thousand. The 1.6i engine...29 from the new one twitches when you let off the gas, it’s a shame! I contacted the service in Kaliningrad (region), they said that they couldn’t fix it, but I read that the fuel rail needs to be changed. So who's right?

Car "Kalina NFR": review, technical characteristics, photos and reviews

The automobile market is developing at incredible speed. Some are developing electric cars, others are winning Car of the Year awards. In recent years, so-called hot hatches have become very popular. These are sports versions of civilian hatchbacks. The founder of this class is Volkswagen with its Golf GTI model. Years passed, but AvtoVAZ continued to produce standard Kalinas and Prioras without technical changes. But in 2015 the picture became clearer. The domestic manufacturer presented to the public a new version of the Russian hatchback - “Kalina NFR”. Technical characteristics, design and reviews are further in our article.