This is the 2000 Lada Roadster experimental vehicle, built by a Russian brand of cars manufactured by AvtoVAZ (originally VAZ) known as Lada. This concept car was built on the basis of a shortened Lada Kalina chassis, a model which had not yet made it to the market at the time of the construction of this prototype. If you haven’t heard of this car, it’s likely due to the simple fact that despite its unique styling, it never quite made it to the production line. The Roadster was designed in collaboration by Swiss coachbuilder Franco Sbarro and designer Mikhail Ponomarev. The dashboard for the show car was borrowed from the VAZ-1118 and the windshield frame came directly from the VAZ-2110. The door frame is borrowed from an Alfa Romeo GTV, and interestingly, the car featured an electronically controlled roof system, that could make the concept go from spider to coupe in just moments. Underneath the hood of this captivating concept lies a 16-valve 2.0L engine with fuel injection, and overall, the Roadster seemed quite promising on paper. Unfortunately, AvtoVAZ did not have the necessary funding to finish out the product and put the model into production, eventually leaving the Roadster project to fizzle away into thin air. It’s said the Roadster would have been capable of a top speed of about 136mph, making it not only interesting to look at, but also quite fast for its size and power! Today, Lada still produces a number of models including the Lada Granta, Lada Vesta, Lada X-RAY, Lada Largus, and Lada Nina.
How many made? One-off concept experimental vehicle. Another familiar car known as the BRT Roadster Crimea presented at MIAS Moscow International Automobile Salon on August 20, 2016 uses a familiar design and also shares component from a Lada Kalina.
Engine: 16-valve 2.0L four-cylinder engine with fuel injection
Debut: 2000 Geneva Motor Show
Top Speed: n/a
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @rci_news
Research: @rarecarsonly