Super 1600: Lada Kalina

[faksta]

AVTOVAZ starts an active development of racing cars based on Lada Kalina. At the moment touring and rally modifications already exist. And in Frankfurt Togliatti factory has shown a model developed for Super 1600 participation. They assure that the car will be available not only for Russian racers, but also for foreigners. But, of course, we all know that AVTOVAZ does not need European market - it is aiming on Russia. This is why the establishing of Lada Kalina monocup - the cup for young pilots - is so debated nowadays.
Under the bonnet of the IAA shown car is a 1,6-liter 120hp (lollol) engine. Such 'power' is a bit uncool, because we've been told of a 200hp car preparing for a debut in Frankfurt. But Igor Kotikov (Technical Development Director) told that this engine is absolutely OK for today's Super 1600 specs. What about 200hp car, it will be seemingly developed only a year after.

Photo Gallery (the page is on Russian, but I think everyone is able to click a photo )

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[Ferrer]

What a shame everyone has moved into S2000...

[Matra et Alpine]

Not quite "moved to".
Yes those who have already built S1600s to test the water are now releasing S2000 spec cars expected to replace the WRC class.
Rallies will ahve S1600 AND S2000 entries as per the regs ...
eg Art. 9. 2007 FIA CENTRAL EUROPEAN ZONE RALLY TROPHY
9.1 Eligible Cars
The trophy will be reserved for Touring Cars (Group A), Production Cars (Group N). S2000 and S1600.

Just as we currently have the two will be on events together, just unlikely that an S1600 will win outright ... though we may be surprised on some events

[Ferrer]

Well, yes but I meant as in nobody develops new S1600 cars anymore.

[Matra et Alpine]

Well, yes but I meant as in nobody develops new S1600 cars anymore.

But they did .. on the way to then producing an S2000.
So there must be a learning curve they are taking advantage of there somewhere.
Also S1600 is cheaper and wider sales potential possibly ?
BTW, found a pic of an S2000 Lada, so they've already done it or planned it anyway.

[Ferrer]

But they did .. on the way to then producing an S2000.
So there must be a learning curve they are taking advantage of there somewhere.
Also S1600 is cheaper and wider sales potential possibly?

I know and you're right, but for a manufacturer I'd say that S1600 is now outdated. You see we had 2-litre Group A cars in the early 90's, then 2-litre Kit Cars in the late 90s, then S1600 cars and now what we have is S2000.

S1600 is surely cheaper, but without wins and success there's no sales or image potential.

[faksta]

Yes, it's a prepared 2112 model. It already exists and did race in Russia.

[Matra et Alpine]

S1600 is surely cheaper, but without wins and success there's no sales or image potential.

Mever stopped GroupN or the many other classes in rallying being "successful".
Yeah it's not the headliner .... S2000 will take that once WRC dies off.
But I don't see it as a dead-end.
Still a market for the cars and the events.
The big money and big marketing $$$ will certainly go S2000, but S1600 can still be profitabel for the manufacturers/tuners.

[Ferrer]

Mever stopped GroupN or the many other classes in rallying being "successful".
Yeah it's not the headliner .... S2000 will take that once WRC dies off.
But I don't see it as a dead-end.
Still a market for the cars and the events.
The big money and big marketing $$$ will certainly go S2000, but S1600 can still be profitabel for the manufacturers/tuners.

Yes but AFAIK no manufacturer has ever supported Group N, which means it's a privateer class. This doesn't really matter since it's pretty straightforward and easy to turn a production car into a Group N rally car, however I doubt the same is possible with S1600 cars, which means that unless manufacturers are prepared to develop new cars current cars will get older and the end the class will be forgotten altogether.

[Matra et Alpine]

Yes but AFAIK no manufacturer has ever supported Group N, which means it's a privateer class.

Plenty have "supported" it, but few ran "factory teams". Usually all done by third party companies doing the prep and running the cars. A learning/breeding ground for the manufacturer to foster their upcoming stars.

This doesn't really matter since it's pretty straightforward and easy to turn a production car into a Group N rally car

If the manufacturer doesn't put the effort in, then the base car isn't very competitive. No matter how hard you try you can't always make a fast/relibale GroupN out of any old bits

however I doubt the same is possible with S1600 cars, which means that unless manufacturers are prepared to develop new cars current cars will get older and the end the class will be forgotten altogether.

You can still buy parts for 1970s Lola et al Formula Ford 1600 -- a class that was going to "die out" with thte introduction of the Renault series, BMW series etc etc etc

It won't really die but will likely slowly drift down the rally series.
UNLESS it can seriously offer the step before S2000 WRC-replacement and then it will have a very long life.