In theory the factory Vesta, a large and heavy sedan with the engine on the muzzle, on the track no chance against homemade light mid-engine coupe. What about the practice?
Alexander Vinogradov “Behind the wheel”
What’s so complicated about that? Welded frame, engine stuck — and you’re done! Something like that I heard not once about fifteen years ago, as a student, MADI, participated in the project Formula Student. Well, it’s not more difficult than to fly in space: you just need to collect the rocket to sit in it and fly.
Creating even a simple racing car with a motorcycle engine is no easy task. What to speak about full-fledged road sports car! But the guys from the racing team BRT (MGTU im. N. E. Bauman) was made.
And this is their second attempt. The previous prototype, the Roadster, had a bunch of issues with ergonomics, and, most importantly, suspension. New car, changing from an open Roadster to the coupe, need to get rid of childhood diseases. View that today Crimea is ready to oppose the factory loaded Sport sedan Lada Vesta.
Theory
Like its predecessor the Roadster, Crimea‑2 built on VAZ aggregates. Engine — 1.6‑liter VAZ‑21127, transmission — manual, five-speed manual (“cable” VAZ‑2181). Part of the suspension components are also borrowed from Viburnum. The rest is from scratch developed by students and graduates of a formula one team Bauman. Layout mid-engine, rear-wheel drive. At the core of Crimea lies a space frame on which are mounted plastic panels; almost all of them remained unchanged, with the exception of bumpers, optics and, of course, the roof.
Behavior on the track quickly gives Vesta to understand what young, even nastlannye, the developers are inferior to the experienced engineers of the automobile plant.Behavior on the track quickly gives Vesta to understand what young, even nastlannye, the developers are inferior to the experienced engineers of the automobile plant.
The interior of Vesta Sport easy to distinguish on the original inserts in carbon fiber and upholstered in nice leather steering wheel.The interior of Vesta Sport easy to distinguish on the original inserts in carbon fiber and upholstered in nice leather steering wheel.
The front seats with the developed lateral support and a cushion better than a standard gostovskih. But beamberry seats Crimea is still inferior.The front seats with the developed lateral support and a cushion better than a standard gostovskih. But beamberry seats Crimea is still inferior.
The architecture of the dashboard — as a normal Vesta, only the scale is painted in red color.The architecture of the dashboard — as a normal Vesta, only the scale is painted in red color.
With the headlights suffer — seal and the body of led optics could not manage to do carefully. Found elegant and efficient decision — toned lights to hide the nuances of a piece of manufacturing. Looks interesting: lenses near and far shrouded led strips turn signals — in the style of the Ticker in the manner of the current models of Audi and Lexus. Just like the first cars, the hood (it is, recall, the back) opens against movement along a complex path, to not touch the bumper. On the implementation of intricate mechanism we fought one week. But most of the time was spent on suspension tuning. Because the expected kinematics from scratch (though was used by Kalinowski elements — the steering knuckles and levers). Calibration of the dampers and the spring rate was also calculated based on weight. All adults!
A nice bonus to that fun-to-drive you can get a great company is still a family sedan.A nice bonus to that fun-to-drive you can get a great company is still a family sedan.
On the background of the trunk of the Crimea the cargo Bay of the Frets seems to be bottomless.On the background of the trunk of the Crimea the cargo Bay of the Frets seems to be bottomless.
Vesta Sport is also not only body kit and beautiful rims. The main differences from the standard sedan in the art. Redesigned suspension original brakes increased the track, which had to expand the front fenders. Well and boosted to 145 HP engine. In theory a large and heavy sedan with the engine on the muzzle on the track has no chance against the lightweight mid-engine coupe. But in practice?
Practice
To get behind the wheel of the Crimea is not easy. Squeeze into a narrow gap through baggy threshold. To bother creating seats for the “second” of the Crimea did not, took, from BMW of the first series. They’re adjustable-length cushion. The ergonomics are good, but there are problems: pedals offset to the right, and the upper edge of the windshield was too close: I’m height is 173 cm a couple of times knocked her on the head when fastened their seat belts. Left hand running out the door armrest — with rapid rotation of the steering wheel to hit his elbow. And turn the steering wheel will have to actively: here, as in Kalina, three turns from lock to lock.
Despite the promising appearance, Crimea‑2 will not allow you to show off on the track. The suspension needs work, and the stabilization system does not allow them to turn under the gas.Despite the promising appearance, Crimea‑2 will not allow you to show off on the track. The suspension needs work, and the stabilization system does not allow them to turn under the gas.
The front panel is taken from cranberries and Alcantara. The engine starts with the button.The front panel is taken from cranberries and Alcantara. The engine starts with the button.
Seat borrowed from BMW of the first series. Pillow is adjustable in length. Padding throughout the interior from Alcantara.Seat borrowed from BMW of the first series. Pillow is adjustable in length. Padding throughout the interior from Alcantara.
Before you dash Viburnum, but rebuilt beyond recognition. Especially liked the colorful and informative display trip computer.Before you dash Viburnum, but rebuilt beyond recognition. Especially liked the colorful and informative display trip computer.
Let the motor button, and behind wakes up tol shestnadcatiletnim. Noisy! But to complain a sin, with a solidly configured issue is only a plus. Squeeze hard on the clutch, and the Crimea confidently takes off. A light car accelerates perfectly — 106‑strong motor VAZ defiantly pulls a small compartment. Transfer included tight, but it’s not annoying. But the stabilization system would cost to reconfigure… or get rid of her at all — all attempts to turn under gas severely suppressed by the electronics. Pull chopped off at the most inopportune moment. But this car was so tempted to go through an arc like a fan, in the power slide. But no — effectively to defeat a bunch of turns on the brink (and maybe over it) of tire adhesion will not work.
The main source of fresh air for the engine large “gills” ahead of the rear axle. In the course of their efficiency enough, but after a few minutes without movement, the motor starts to overheat.The main source of fresh air for the engine large “gills” ahead of the rear axle. In the course of their efficiency enough, but after a few minutes without movement, the motor starts to overheat.
Rear brakes borrowed from the front axle of Viburnum. But the front brakes are original, the production of JBT.Rear brakes borrowed from the front axle of Viburnum. But the front brakes are original, the production of JBT.
Well, God bless her, with electronics, is not the main problem. The chassis was better, but before the end of lessons not learned! Crimea is well on the arc, he has excellent weight distribution along the axes, but under the gas discharge compartment seeks to turn across the road. The same story with a sharp berestivka: the car lurches unpleasantly diagonally, along the way, put the rear axle. And when you care to right this effect is noticeable. Need to work on alignment and is likely to bring the kinematics. Because the car is designed for everyday driving, and such behavior can be dangerous.
It’s more like a storage compartment than in the trunk. Nothing but a small bag, does not fit. Mid-engine layout!It’s more like a storage compartment than in the trunk. Nothing but a small bag, does not fit. Mid-engine layout!
The hood opens along a complex path, its mechanism is designed from scratch. In the depths of space frame — a standard engine VAZ‑21127, is located across the front of the rear axle.The hood opens along a complex path, its mechanism is designed from scratch. In the depths of space frame — a standard engine VAZ‑21127, is located across the front of the rear axle.
That’s the difference between University bureaus and automobile plant! The seat of the West Sport a little worse than the Crimea – there is not enough adjustment of the cushion length. But the basic ergonomics issues there. Relative position of the seat, steering wheel and pedals right. The force on the lever and pedals less. Handlebars shorter — two and a half turns. Yes, West is possible and necessary “dopilivat”: bundle motor and box is not perfect. The engine doesn’t like low revs, but the gearbox really want to add a sixth tier. Stabilization system is not switched off after 55 km/h and the treacherous comes in the middle of the turn.
And yet the difference between the chassis is enormous. Fret is very sensitive to the wheel with no delay or hesitation, everything is clear and to the point. You can safely build up speed on the arc without fear of surprises. In open bust speed Sport expected Vesta slides out and falls into the drift under the discharge gas. Here it is, a properly loaded vehicle.
Exam
Lada illustrates the advantages of factory car before prototype. Should we blame the creators of the Crimea? In any case! The boys themselves understand that it is impossible to build a good car, especially of this class. With the “second” of Crimea, it became obvious that attempts to create an affordable sports car on the chassis Kalinowski, the leading ancestry as much from “eight”, is a dead end. Next car will be used aggregates of Vesta. But it is not important.

The project will be sent to all the leading teams of the Formula Student, in the first place MADI and MAMI, is that students have made changes and built their prototypes. So the global project of the people’s sports car produced by the technical universities. So can kill several birds with one stone. The more young minds and hands on the car, the faster defects will be corrected, the more prototypes will be output and the higher the chance to get a decent car. After all, the main task of the authors of the Crimea is to design affordable and effective two-seater sports car. The price is about one million rubles (the same is charged Lada Vesta Sport). Wazowski units promise low-cost content. Of course, on the Assembly line no one speaks, but the release of small quantities is possible. A problem with the suspension definitely will be solved. After all, it formed a major car designers — they have a lot of Luggage in the head with stuffed practice cones.
DATA PRODUCERS
|
CRIMEA-2
|
LATAVISTA SPORT
|
Weight / total weight
|
n. d.
|
1322/1670 kg
|
Acceleration 0-100 km/h
|
n. d.
|
9,6 from
|
Maximum speed
|
n. d.
|
193 km/h
|
Fuel / fuel reserve
|
AI-95 / 50 l
|
AI-95 / 55 l
|
Fuel consumption: urban / suburban / mixed cycle
|
n. d.
|
10,6 / 6,4 / 7,9 l / 100 km
|
ENGINE
|
Type
|
petrol
|
petrol
|
Location
|
in the base, transversely
|
front, transversely
|
Configuration / number of valves
|
R4 / 16
|
R4 / 16
|
The working volume
|
1596 cm3
|
1774 cm3
|
Power
|
78 kW / 106 HP at 5800 rpm
|
107 kW / 145 HP at 6000 rpm
|
Torque
|
148 N·m at 4200 rpm
|
184 N·m at 3600 rpm
|
TRANSMISSION
|
Drive type
|
rear
|
front
|
Transmission
|
M5
|
M5
|
Gear ratio: I / II / III / IV / V / s.x.
|
3,64 / 1,95 / 1,36 / 0,94 / 0,78 / 3,50
|
3,73 / 2,05 / 1,39 / 1,03 / 0,76 / 3,55
|
Main gear
|
3,70
|
4,20
|
SUSPENSION
|
Suspension: front / rear
|
McPherson / multi-link
|
McPherson / elastic beam
|
Steering
|
rack and pinion with electric power steering
|
rack and pinion with electric power steering
|
Brakes: front/rear
|
disc, ventilated / disc, ventilated
|
disc, ventilated / disc
|
Tires
|
225/35 R18
|
205/50 R17
|
Coupe Crimea vs Lada Vesta Sport: a big test of people’s sports car
In theory the factory Vesta, a large and heavy sedan with the engine on the muzzle, on the track no chance against homemade light mid-engine coupe. What about the practice?















Coupe Crimea vs Lada Vesta Sport: a big test of people’s sports car
- A wide range of bracelets and belts to the wheels, antipaxi and chain in stock: get ready for winter and help the colleagues.
Coupe Crimea vs Lada Vesta Sport: a big test of people’s sports car
In theory the factory Vesta, a large and heavy sedan with the engine on the muzzle, on the track no chance against homemade light mid-engine coupe. What about the practice?















Coupe Crimea vs Lada Vesta Sport: a big test of people’s sportcraft: Alexander Kulnev