Cars of the Lada Vesta family are equipped with two types of gearboxes: automated and manual. Both boxes are AvtoVAZ’s own development. However, this was not always the case. At the beginning of car sales, another manual transmission was installed.

Until the fall of 2016, new Lada Vesta models had a manual gearbox made by Renault, and only after that cars with Russian mechanics began to appear. In 2019 it will no longer be possible to buy a French Lada Vesta manual transmission from an official dealer, such copies are available only on the secondary market. Obviously, the gearbox was replaced to reduce the cost of the mechanism; assembled units in Russia are not subject to customs duties, and savings were made during production. Unfortunately for future owners, the reduction in production costs did not affect them in any way and the Lada Vesta was sold at the same price.

Sometimes, when operating a manual transmission, owners note howling and other extraneous sounds; most often this problem was detected on a Russian manual transmission, but this issue is also not spared in foreign gearboxes and the howling is also present.

The automated gearbox was installed only of one type and manufacturer - AvtoVAZ. There is no smell of an automatic transmission in this unit, a robot is responsible for shifting gears, which sometimes showed its character from the bad side, but after time and several firmware releases, it was managed to be brought to mind, now buying a Lada Vesta with a robotic gearbox no longer seems like a cat in a bag.

For people who are wary of everything Russian, there is also good news; a third gearbox option is expected to appear soon - . It is produced by the French company Jatco, the variator has already been installed on the Xray Cross, and therefore its release for the Lada Vesta no longer seems like a myth.

How to determine which gearbox is on a Lada Vesta car


In order to determine which box is on the Lada Vesta, just look at its VIN number; the second number after the letters XTAGFL (see photo above) indicates the type of box:
  • 1 - manual transmission AvtoVAZ
  • 2 - Robotic box
  • 3 - Renault manual transmission

The new Lada Vesta has been produced by the Volzhsky Automobile Plant for about a year. During this period, all technological solutions were tested in practice by drivers who purchased this sedan or hatchback. It is important for VAZ designers to know what they would like to see best option Vesta consumers. Listening to the wishes of car enthusiasts, the Tolyatti manufacturer is gradually optimizing specifications Frets. One of the innovations was the introduction into production of a Russian-style manual transmission to replace the imported one.

AvtoVAZ engineers are also continuously working to improve the quality of automatic manual transmission production, as car owners receive suggestions and recommendations for improving the operation of the robot. In this article we will look at how the mechanics and automatic machine of Vesta change over time.

At first, French mechanics and a domestic robot were produced

The launch of Lada Vesta started in September 2015. Developers from Togliatti decided to equip the car with the following transmission versions: a French manual transmission and a robotic version developed in Russia. The first version was produced with a 1.6-liter engine, and the second with a 0.2-liter larger unit.

When designing the car's chassis, engineers were faced with the choice of which manual gearbox to equip the Lada with: French or domestic. Many factors were taken into account when comparing the two options. A five-speed mechanism, which was used on previous models of VAZ sedans: Priora, Granta, Kalina, was considered as a domestic transmission.

But Vesta was envisioned as a car of a more modern era, so the gear shift system had to be at a fundamentally new level of quality. The box option of previous versions of sedans was bad in that it created a relatively high level of noise from the operation of the transmission. Also, the quality of smooth gear shifting of the VAZ 2180 gearbox did not meet the requirements of a modern high-tech car. In order to implement the 2180, the developers needed to eliminate the shortcomings of the old version.

But at the time of designing the Lada Vesta, in order to modernize the existing mechanics, it was necessary to significantly change the operating principle in order to remove noise and excessive sharpness of switching. The time period allotted for this development was not enough for domestic engineers. In addition, the accelerated modification of the VAZ gearbox was an unprofitable solution due to its cost. And the monetary component of choosing an introduced transmission is the main criterion in favor of one option or another, since the main principle of AvtoVAZ’s pricing policy is to produce the most affordable cars possible for ordinary citizens.

Based on the above circumstances, Tolyatti residents decided to equip the Lada Vesta with a manual transmission model from the Renault-Nissan concern. It made much less noise and had smoother shifting. This box was still assembled in Russia, but the parts for its assembly were French components and assemblies.

The automatic transmission is a robotic version of the transmission (automatic transmission - AMT). It was decided not to install a classic automatic on the Lada Vesta, also for economic reasons. In this robot, the electronic system turns the clutch off and on, and can also independently change gears.

Modification of the mechanical box

The Volzhsky Automobile Plant strives to reduce costs for the production of serial cars. One of the options for reducing manufacturing costs is to replace foreign-made parts with domestic ones. This concept has already been implemented on the Lada XRAY: recently the Japanese engine from Nissan has ceased to be installed on the crossover.

This fall, it was decided to do the same with the Vesta line of cars: from September, sedans and hatchbacks of this model will be equipped with a domestic one instead of a French manual transmission. It is a modified version of the VAZ-2180 transmission. The shift knob also has 5 positions and reverse. The transmission drive in this box is a cable. This mechanics is used to equip the chassis of Grant, Kalina and Priora cars. The modified 21087 system provides increased torque compared to old version. Also, the new option will work with significantly fewer noise emitted, because AvtoVAZ used new equipment to manufacture the main pair assemblies.

The new box has been changed like this.

Gearbox device

It was precisely because of the high noise and hum generated when driving that the ex-president of the company decided not to use the Russian 2180, choosing the French manual transmission Renault JH3 as an alternative. As mentioned above, Renault boxes are assembled at VAZ, but they consist entirely of French-made parts and components. Before the launch of West into mass production, engineers said that the cost of the French mechanism was 3 thousand rubles more expensive, which was about 20 percent of the cost of the entire box. And since VAZ strives to reduce production costs, work was carried out throughout the year to improve the old-style manual transmission. Thanks to the work done, 1.6 liter engines have been equipped with VAZ 21087 since September. In the future, it is planned to introduce this box on 1.8 liter units.

The gear shift knob itself does not differ in appearance from the old one. To understand which box is on your Vesta, take a look at the Lada VIN number:

  • GFL13 numbers correspond to Renault;
  • GFL11 – AvtoVAZ.

Cars with French-style gearboxes can still be purchased, but mass production of cars with such a transmission has already been stopped. Now Vestas with VAZ mechanics are arriving at car dealerships.

In the circles of car owners and enthusiasts you can often hear about the Lada Vesta automatic - is it a myth or reality? What is the actual basis for such conversations? There are rumors surrounding two types of transmission: automatic transmission and CVT. Perhaps in the future they will appear on Vesta, fortunately, there are prerequisites for this. Each transmission is special and has its own characteristics! After reading this article you will understand which of the Vesta boxes is suitable for you.

What kind of gearbox does the Lada Vesta have?

Lada Vesta is available with two types of transmissions: manual and robotic. Both Russian production. Until recently, AvtoVAZ installed 5 manual transmissions (manual transmission) from Renault. This is due to the inconsistency of the old VAZ-21080 with the established Vesta standards. I had to modify the Priora box. To increase the gear ratios of the gearbox, the main pair, the second gear gears, was replaced. The new VAZ has a new body, stronger rubber parts, which means the noise level is an order of magnitude lower. Replacing oil seals will be less frequent, there will be less need to add oil to the box, torque and acceleration will increase, maximum speed. With an improvement in gearbox performance, fuel consumption increases by 0.6 liters. Now in mixed mode - 7.5 liters per 100 km. With a new one, 6.9 was enough for the same distance.

Externally, it will not be possible to distinguish a foreign box from a VAZ one. They look the same inside and below. You can find out the manufacturer by the vehicle's VIN code. The combination “GFL11” means that the machine has a Russian node, and “GFL13” means a French one.

The combination “GFL12” indicates AMT on Vesta. 5 AMT - five-speed automated transmission, in common parlance - a robot. Many people mistakenly call manual transmission an automatic transmission. This is wrong. Perhaps they are similar in appearance due to the lack of a clutch pedal. The robot can rather be called a semi-automatic, or a modernized manual transmission. It engages and disengages the clutch, upshifts and downshifts independently, but is designed almost the same as a manual gearbox. Note that the domestic development of its own robot is successful, perhaps they will soon be installed on Renault.

The Lada Vesta sedan and SV Cross have AMT, and it should soon appear in the CIS. Installed together with VAZ 21129 (1.6 l; 106 hp), HR16DE-H4M (1.6 l; 114 hp) and VAZ 21179 (1.8 l; 122 hp) engines.

What kind of robot is on the Lada Vesta

The Vesta robot was created on the basis of a VAZ 21827 manual transmission, to which a control unit, actuators and drives from the German company ZF were added. AMT transmission sensors are connected to the Lada's on-board computer. Most useful function in Vesta there is an indicator with gear shift prompts. The hint of Lada Vesta is two triangles pointing up and down. When one of them lights up, it means you should engage an upshift or downshift. This option is accompanied by sound, which can be disabled.

AMT automatically releases the clutch electronically. To start moving, you need to remove the lever from the neutral position and press the accelerator pedal. To bring Vesta’s robot as close as possible to an automatic machine, there is a factory firmware “creeping AMT mode”. The chipped Lada begins to move when the brake pedal is released.

Disadvantages of the robot

The robotic transmission has been discontinued overseas due to a number of problems. They are also present on the Lada Vesta AMT.

Gear shifts abruptly, jerks in movement are possible;
The semi-automatic “thinks” for a long time; during dynamic driving, it does not put the required pair of gears into operation at the right time;
On an ascent, it downshifts belatedly.

The disadvantages are less noticeable if you drive smoothly and do not brake or accelerate sharply.

Advantages of the robot

Why did AvtoVAZ decide to produce Vesta with this type of box? The fact is that:

The robotic gearbox of the Lada Vesta is cheaper to construct than a classic automatic;
Vesta with a robot uses fuel more economically, unlike other gearboxes;
A special feature of AMT in comparison with automatic transmission is almost three times lower consumption transmission oil;
The electronic mechanism provides protection against engaging the wrong gear while driving (this happens on mechanics);
The robot rarely breaks down and does not need to be frequently diagnosed and maintained;
The clutch engages and disengages smoothly when starting off and changing gears, the lever does not vibrate while driving;
Manual transmission is less noisy than manual transmission;
Inside the box there is an option to compensate for clutch wear - it further extends the service life of transmission elements;
The box is used in automatic or manual mode, whichever is more convenient.

Price of a robotic box for Lada Vesta

At dealer prices, an ATM costs about 20,000 rubles, a simple four-speed automatic transmission costs about 40,000. Let us recall that Kalina and Grant had one from the manufacturer Jatco. Now they have been replaced by the Russian robot.

How to ride a robot

AMT Vesta does not need to be warmed up before use. While moving, you need to squeeze the “brake”, move the gearbox lever from the neutral position to “A” (automatic) or

“M” (manual), release the pedal. The car will start moving when you press the gas pedal.

A Lada with a robotic gearbox cannot be parked on a rolling surface without a hand brake. The machine will move in the direction of the slope.

Manual Transmission

Lada Vesta is a car created from scratch, with its own base. For Vesta, the basis of the Lada S and Lada B with a new steering system was specially designed, braking system and a radiator from Renault Megane. The manual gearbox was initially borrowed from the Renault-Nissan concern. AvtoVAZ’s policy is aimed at developing its own components and equipping new Ladas with them to the maximum. It was not possible to supply the outdated VAZ-2180. They decided to modernize it, in fact it turned out to design a completely new, modern, silent box. A year after the start of sales, it appeared.

Pros of mechanics

New mechanics 21807 with low noise level.
Speeds are switched comfortably and smoothly, the lever comes exactly to the required speed.
Of course, acceleration with a manual transmission is better; the transmission does not wait for a command from the crankshaft speed sensor.
Manual transmission requires the least amount of oil.
In winter, the engine starts easier.
The mechanics are cheap to maintain and repair and do not require any special care.
When driving off-road and in snow, a manual transmission has no equal.
Unlike the robot, the owners note that the mechanics do not “stupid” or “twitch”—the robot does not boast about this.

Disadvantages of manual transmission

Difficult when starting from a stop and when moving uphill - you need experience.
You have to get used to a car with a manual transmission, feel for the desired speed range, press the clutch pedal, feel the moment of need to change gear. While the driver is inexperienced or getting acquainted with a new car, the clutch and the engine with gearbox wear out a lot.
The domestic transmission consumes more gasoline than its French sister and AMT.
Of course, mechanics are not as convenient as an automatic machine or a robot. When driving for a long time, the driver gets more tired, and it is not convenient in a traffic jam.

Price of cars with mechanics

The new transmission costs AvtoVAZ 20% less to produce than the previous version (about 3,000 rubles). The price of a Lada Vesta sedan with a manual transmission starts from 512,910 rubles, Vesta SV station wagon from 589,410 rubles. Lada CNG on gas basic configuration costs 649,900.


Rumors about a CVT on Vesta

It is already known that the Renault Nissan concern, together with AvtoVAZ, is working on installing a continuously variable transmission on Vesta. To install an imported gearbox, you will need to install a new engine, most likely also foreign-made. The release date of the Lada with a CVT is not known, let’s assume that it’s not worth waiting for such a car within the next three to four years.

With a CVT, Vesta will become more economical than it is now. The ride will become smooth without changing gears. One “but” is that repairing a variator is astronomically expensive; Lada manufacturers should think carefully about this.

Automatic expected

Many people are concerned about the issue of the machine gun. The predecessors Kalina and Grant already had a four-speed Jatco automatic, why isn’t it on the 2180? The fact is that there is no suitable base for the machine gun on the Lada Vesta. The mentioned box is already outdated, and purchasing a new one will significantly increase the price of the car, which is contrary to the policy of the Volga Automobile Plant.

Company President Nicolas More denied rumors about a 4-band automatic transmission for the most popular models Frets. So will the Lada Vesta have a gun? Most likely Yes. It will be a 6-speed modern transmission. Negotiations are already underway on the creation of a new plant in the Russian Federation; automatic transmissions will be created at the plant with the support of foreign companies. The appearance of an automatic machine on the Lada Vesta should be expected in at least 4-6 years.

The most important system, which is directly related to the driving characteristics - the car’s transmission. The acceleration speed, fuel consumption, driving dynamics, and even noise when driving depend on it.

What gearboxes are installed on Lada Vesta

In our Vesta, two versions of the gearbox are equally possible:

Robotic transmission;

Manual Transmission. There is no classic automatic transmission on the Lada Vesta! Interesting move. But maybe a CVT will be added soon. In the first case, we are talking about a modified version of the “automatic”, in which the computer itself is in charge: it squeezes the clutch, changes the speed. This option turned out no worse, and, according to many, even better than imported analogues. AvtoVAZ was planning, at one time, to organize demonstration performances with the participation of foreign developments, hoping for a solid lead over its competitors. There are, of course, some not particularly encouraging moments. So, with an automatic transmission, Vesta will accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour in 14.1 seconds, which is far from record figures.

Automatic transmission service LADA Vesta According to data from the service manuals, the oil in the box is changed at a mileage of 120 thousand km. But the officials secretly talk about the need for replacement at 75,000 km. Disadvantages of the robot The robotic transmission has been discontinued overseas due to a number of problems. They are also present on the Lada Vesta AMT. Gear shifts abruptly, jerks in movement are possible; Price of a robotic box for Lada Vesta At dealer prices, an ATM costs about 20,000 rubles, a simple four-speed automatic transmission costs about 40,000. Let us recall that Kalina and Grant had one from the manufacturer Jatco. Now they have been replaced by the Russian robot.

Vesta manual transmission

At the time of release, the Lada had an imported box from Renault. The reason was the noisiness of the VAZ version. Less than a year has passed since Vesta got its own domestically produced transmission. First of all, the manufacturer was driven by the desire to reduce the cost of the car, so abandoning the imported gearbox turned out to be a good help. If the predecessor had problems with noise, how the updated version behaves is worth finding out in more detail.

Modification 21807

This option is a modified version of the VAZ-21080, in which the torque has increased and excessive noise has been eliminated to a certain extent. The new filling of the main pair and the second speed gear contributed to quieter operation. Unlike the robot, this transmission option no longer stalls and copes well with acceleration. The cost of the unit was immediately reduced by 20%, which is approximately 3,000 rubles. Some characteristics have improved, while others remain at a decent level. Let's talk about everything in order.

Characteristics

With the change in the main pair, the gear ratio also changed, it increased from 3.87 to 3.94. The car has become more playful and dynamic. To reach a speed of 100 kilometers per hour it will take 10.2 seconds, which is faster than the Renault box from Logan by a full second of time. The top speed has also increased. It increased from 175 to 188 kilometers per hour on the domestic gearbox. Unfortunately, such agility will consume a little more fuel than before. Consumption On the foreigner, consumption was 6.9 liters in the combined cycle, but now consumption has increased to 7.5 liters. Reliability of housing assembly This element was a great success, because the part became noticeably stronger. You don't need to add oil as often as before. The service life of the seals lasts longer, which means that the tightness is at a higher level than that of its predecessor, and therefore makes much less noise.

How to determine which box is on the Lada Vesta

Today, it is unlikely that you will be able to find copies with French gearboxes, because AvtoVAZ has already stopped their mass production. The only available options are with domestic mechanics. Externally, the box has not changed, the lever in the cabin remains the same. You can determine the manufacturer of the box only by the VIN number of the car itself. If it has the combination “GFL13”, then this is a new part, “GFL11” indicates our 21807 version, and “GFL12” indicates the installed VAZ robotic transmission.

Price of cars with mechanics

The new transmission costs AvtoVAZ 20% less to produce than the previous version (about 3,000 rubles). The price of a Lada Vesta sedan with a manual transmission starts from 512,910 rubles, Vesta SV station wagon from 589,410 rubles. Lada CNG on gas in the basic configuration costs 649,900.

Lada Vesta: robot or mechanics? What's better? Video

Automatic expected

Many people are concerned about the issue of the machine gun. The predecessors Kalina and Grant already had a four-speed Jatco automatic, why isn’t it on the 2180? The fact is that there is no suitable base for the machine gun on the Lada Vesta. The mentioned box is already outdated, and purchasing a new one will significantly increase the price of the car, which is contrary to the policy of the Volga Automobile Plant. Company President Nicolas More denied rumors about a 4-band automatic transmission for the most popular Lada models. So will the Lada Vesta have a gun? Most likely Yes. It will be a 6-speed modern transmission. Negotiations are already underway on the creation of a new plant in the Russian Federation; automatic transmissions will be created at the plant with the support of foreign companies. The appearance of an automatic machine on the Lada Vesta should be expected in at least 4-6 years.

The Lada Vesta SV Cross is equipped with a manual gearbox and an automated manual transmission. When purchasing a vehicle, the driver can choose the most preferable option. According to reports from AvtoVAZ, the company launched new project, providing for the release of the Lada Vesta Cross with a CVT.

Automatic transmission

Automatic transmission characteristics

All configurations Lada Vesta SW Cross automatic requires the installation of a robotic gearbox. AMT is an automated manual transmission, or “robot”. It is developed on the basis of a manual transmission (torque is transmitted through gears), which is controlled by an automatic device that depresses the clutch and changes gears.

This gearbox is a development of AvtoVAZ, but the “robot” also uses foreign components: actuators (actuators) from the German company ZF and a French-made clutch from Valeo are built in. AMT is equipped with a system that compensates for wear and damage to the clutch.

The engine of a car with a “robot” does not need to warm up before driving.

This type of gearbox makes it possible to switch speeds in automatic and manual mode. The weight of the AMT is significantly less than that of a classic automatic, which reduces the amount of fuel consumed.

Positions on the shift lever in the Lada Vesta SV Cross automatic:

  1. Automatic mode – gear shifting is carried out automatically.
  2. Neutral position - used when the vehicle is parked.
  3. Reverse – the car moves backwards.
  4. Manual shifting - makes it possible to independently change gears using the selector or switches located under the steering wheel or on it.

The latter mode allows you to save fuel and is convenient when overtaking - to artificially lower the gear, you need to take your foot off the gas pedal.

Advantages and disadvantages of a “robot”

The robotic gearbox installed on the Lada Vesta is characterized by a number of advantages. However, drivers have to put up with some of its disadvantages.

Pros of AMT

Cons of AMT
Possibility to use manual switching method or auto mode. It is necessary to constantly set the selector lever to the neutral position (in traffic jams) to avoid overheating of the clutch.
Availability of the “Slope Start Assistant” program. This option helps prevent the car from rolling back when parking on a slope. No parking mode.
Soft and smooth clutch is ensured even during sudden pressure on the gas pedal. The gear shifting process is accompanied by jerks. Between first and second gears there is a decrease in speed, which can significantly slow down the car.
AMT is equipped with protection against unintentional lever presses. A vehicle with AMT accelerates more slowly than a vehicle with a manual transmission.
High adaptability of the AMT: the robotic transmission has 26 behavior patterns. AMT selects the desired scheme depending on the driver's behavior. Using manual mode is not always convenient.
AMT is more economical than manual transmission and classic automatic transmission. Smooth shifting helps reduce gas mileage. When driving, there are often jerks and power failures.
A robotic transmission consumes less oil than a manual transmission.
Repairing an AMT is much cheaper than manual and automatic transmissions.
A vehicle with AMT is capable of operating at very low temperatures – down to minus 55 °C.

According to reviews from Vesta owners, AMT is not only comfortable to use, as is the case with an automatic transmission (automatic mode is not much different from a classic “automatic”), but also reliable, like a manual transmission.

When choosing a gearbox, it is worth considering your driving style. Today, most car dealers offer drivers a test drive so they can evaluate how suitable the vehicle they are purchasing is for them. The Lada Vesta SV Cross is a reliable and economical option, available with both a robotic and manual transmission.