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The 2004 Lada Silhouette, later known as the Lada 2116, was a family car concept developed by AvtoVAZ in collaboration with Porsche Engineering. Building on Porsche's earlier work with VAZ designs like the Samara and Lada 110 series, the Silhouette aimed to introduce a modern and competitive C-segment vehicle to the Russian market.
Design and Goals
The Lada Silhouette was conceived as an affordable, multi-purpose family car that could accommodate five passengers comfortably while offering a spacious trunk. The design prioritized harmony, aerodynamics, and compliance with European safety and environmental standards, including EuroNCAP crash requirements. The result was a modern, flowing body with a high degree of practicality, suited to a mix of urban and rural driving conditions.
Technical Features
The concept featured a front-wheel-drive platform, with plans to develop future all-wheel-drive variants. Under the hood was a transverse-mounted 2.0-liter engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Diesel and automatic transmission options were envisioned for later models. The Silhouette also incorporated 15-inch wheels and emphasized durability, targeting a lifespan of 200,000 kilometers—an improvement over the 150,000 km typical of existing Lada models.
Interior and Comfort
The car's interior design focused on comfort and usability, with ergonomic seating, excellent visibility, and winter-ready features like cold-start capability and window defrosting. The dashboard and controls reflected a modern aesthetic, integrating advanced electronics and mandatory safety features such as airbags and electric power steering.
Challenges and Legacy
Despite its ambitious goals, the Lada Silhouette faced significant challenges. Initially revealed in 2004 and updated as "Project C" in 2006, it never progressed beyond the prototype stage. While early speculation suggested a potential launch by 2008 or 2009, the concept ultimately remained a visionary project, showcasing AvtoVAZ’s intent to produce a true C-segment vehicle.
The Lada Silhouette demonstrated AvtoVAZ's aspirations to modernize its lineup and appeal to a broader audience, though it served more as a symbol of possibility rather than a production reality.
