Hi-Tech LADA-21106 2.0 16v GTi

Would you buy a Lada-21106 for $20,000? No, we are not crazy. This is not just any Lada it is a GT class car. No other Russian manufacturers have ever even attempted to produce any Grand Touring class cars before. But now the new Lada-21106 GTi is here. The arrival of this car has nothing to do with Lada manufacturer, AutoVAZ, wanting to expand it's model range. No, Lada just wants to enter the elite of the world championship in group A of rally formula F2. To do that, AutoVAZ had to design a car that is almost identical to the one that will take part in the championship. To qualify, it also has to produce at least 2,500 of these cars in no more than a year. The car has yet to be registered with the International Federation of Autosport (FIA). The 21106 has kept the look of the "Yellow Shark" concept car that was first shown at the Moscow Motor Show, back in 1996. Well designed aerodynamic bodykit, wheels put wide apart, lowered suspension tell you straight away that you are looking at a sports car. Under the skin, this car is different from the Lada-2110, on which it is based. Positioning of the engine fixtures have changed, the wheel-base has increased by 45 mm, the width of track has also being increased by 76 mm. Therefore, the car is much more stable. 15 or 16 inch alloys can be fitted with low profile tyres. The designers say that it's best to use 195/60 R 15 tyres in the summer, and 185/65 R 15 in the winter. Places of fixture of the front McPherson struts were changed. Russian made hydraulic shock absorbers are now used, together with enlarged springs.Changes to the rear suspension are not so significant, the suspension has moved a couple of centimetres backwards, and Monroe shocks were installed. As a whole, suspension hardened a bit, which is normal for a sporty car.The more dynamic car, needed more efficient breaks. At the front, vented 14 inch discs are used. At the back, however simple drum breaks are fitted. In prospective, AutoVAZ is hoping to fit cross-drilled breaks to the rear as well. The characteristics of a vacuum break intensifier were also changed. Because AutoVAZ doesn't manufacture engines that are powerful enough for this kind of car, the 16-V, 2-litre injection engine from Opel/Vauxhall was adopted, together with the 5-speed, manual transmission. The electronic system that controls the engine, has been especially adapted for this car. Over the years, this engines were fitted to Astras, Calibras and Vectras, and when tuned, were even used on the rally versions of these cars.