Since the former supplier of automatic transmissions and CVTs for AvtoVAZ, Jatco, stopped working with the domestic car giant, the residents of Togliatti had to look for a new partner. They chose from the most “friendly” countries, settled in China and began to study options with six- and eight-speed “automatic machines” – they took precedence over other types of transmissions.

Now, as the Drome portal became known, the concept has changed – from now on, the product engineering service is leaning towards CVTs and “robots”. Why? It’s simple: they are cheaper. The price difference between traditional “hydromechanics” and “preselection” is small, but for the variator the Chinese charge almost half. Plus, alternative gearboxes are easier to pack into the Granta and Vesta’s cramped engine compartments.

It was initially assumed that the issue with the automatic gearbox supplier would be resolved by the resumption of production at Vesta, scheduled for March next year. It doesn’t work: the residents of Volga certainly don’t have time to pick up the box at the moment. So, initially, sedans and station wagons of the flagship family will be produced exclusively in the “three-pedal” version.

We add that AVTOVAZ immediately rejected the possibility of developing its own “automatic machine”. After all, the development of the unit takes at least three to four years, which is too long.

Since the former supplier of automatic transmissions and CVTs for AvtoVAZ, Jatco, stopped working with the domestic car giant, the residents of Togliatti had to look for a new partner. They chose from the most “friendly” countries, settled in China and began to study options with six- and eight-speed “automatic machines” – they took precedence over other types of transmissions.

Now, as the Drome portal became known, the concept has changed – from now on, the product engineering service is leaning towards CVTs and “robots”. Why? It’s simple: they are cheaper. The price difference between traditional “hydromechanics” and “preselection” is small, but for the variator the Chinese charge almost half. Plus, alternative gearboxes are easier to pack into the Granta and Vesta’s cramped engine compartments.

It was initially assumed that the issue with the automatic gearbox supplier would be resolved by the resumption of production at Vesta, scheduled for March next year. It doesn’t work: the residents of Volga certainly don’t have time to pick up the box at the moment. So, initially, sedans and station wagons of the flagship family will be produced exclusively in the “three-pedal” version.

We add that AVTOVAZ immediately rejected the possibility of developing its own “automatic machine”. After all, the development of the unit takes at least three to four years, which is too long.