AvtoVAZ conducted "solar" car tests for the first time

AvtoVAZ, in the process of preparing the production of Lada Iskra, for the first time tested cars on a new stand simulating the effects of solar radiation. A special camera simulates 6 years of operation in the southern regions with the machine being stored in open areas, the company's press service said on October 1.

At the stand, the lamps heat the air around the car to 40 °C, and the car itself to 80°C and above. According to the results of the "solar" tests, the design of the plastic elements of the interior and exterior were adjusted, which also increased the durability of the car, the company said.

The full range of tests simulated the intensive operation of Lada Iskra for 6 years and 150 thousand km. Corrosion resistance tests were carried out in salt fords, a salt mist chamber, and a climate chamber where the bodies were frozen and thawed. Previously, calibrated cuts to the metal were applied to the external body elements. Tests of the sedan and station wagon were carried out for 11 weeks, and adverse conditions with the presence of sea air, industrial emissions and reagents on the roads were simulated.

In addition, 28 Iskra vehicles have passed tests in the amount of 150 thousand km during reliability tests. The races took place at the factory training ground, in fords, on gravel roads, cobblestone tracks, in a dust tunnel, on imitations of city streets with various irregularities. Periodic car washing was also simulated — from a simple garden hose, in a high-pressure washer and in an automatic installation. It is stated that the volume of Iskra field tests has become the largest and most diverse in the history of Lada development.

Vibration stands and robotic testing stands for body attachments were also involved in the tests, and many years of intensive operation were simulated, including in taxi conditions. The frequency of use of various elements of the car was taken into account: the robotic stand opened and closed the trunk 26 thousand times, and the driver's door — 146 thousand times. The factor of rough handling of the car was also provided: part of the cycles of closing the doors, hood and trunk was carried out with considerable effort. A risk assessment was also carried out when wind loads were applied to the doors and hood.

An incendiary thing: how the Russian novelty behaves on the road

The first Lada Iskra test drive

Sales of the Tolyatti-made Lada Iskra started on July 20. The Iskra sedan costs from 1.25 million rubles in the basic configuration with a manual transmission. The most expensive modification of the model, the raised SW Cross station wagon in the maximum configuration with a CVT, was estimated at 1.8 million rubles.

In September, mass production of Lada Iskra cars started at the Avtozavod Saint Petersburg production site, where Nissan and Xcite cars were previously produced.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.