Lada launches Dacia-based Largus wagon

The Largus is the first product of the alliance between Renault-Nissan and AvtoVAZ, Lada's parent group.

Russia's Lada has just revealed its all-new Dacia-based Largus station wagon. Aimed squarely at the lucrative low-cost market, the Largus is an attempt by Lada to replace the old Fiat 124-based 2104 wagon.

The Largus is the first product to come out of the recent alliance between Renault-Nissan and AvtoVAZ, Lada's parent group. The wagon is essentially a rebadged variant of the Dacia Logan MPV that has been on sale throughout Europe for several years.

Aesthetically very little changes and aside from a new grille the Lada is essentially identical to the Dacia that it is based on.

The story is the same on the inside, where the most noticeable change is a Lada emblem on the steering wheel. The Logan's much-appreciated capacity to seat seven passengers is carried over to the Largus.

With a base price of 417,000 rubles (about $13,000), the entry-level Largus is powered by an outdated and thirsty Renault-sourced 1.6-liter four-cylinder that is rated at 89 horsepower. The next and last model up retails for 449,800 rubles (roughly $14,000) and is offered with a 16-valve 1.6-liter four-cylinder that has a power output of 107 horsepower. A five-speed manual gearbox that spins the front wheels is the only unit offered on either engine.

A commercial version of the Largus with welded-in side windows will be offered but Lada has yet to release any technical or pricing information about it.

At the time of writing Lada has no plans on selling the Largus outside of its home country of Russia, so it will likely not be on display at the Paris Motor Show next September.

The Dacia Logan MPV that the Largus is based on is scheduled to be phased out before the end of this year. Whether or not the next-gen Logan will be offered as a seven-seater wagon is up in the air, especially with the arrival of the roomy Lodgy minivan.