New engine going into the Lada Priora

According to a statement from the press office of the Russian auto giant AvtoVAZ, since June 2011 the Lada Priora has been fitted with an updated 1.6-litre engine producing 90 hp.

Among the innovations in the engine's design are a lighter connecting-rod-and-piston assembly, an upgraded 8-valve cylinder head, and an improved engine cooling system. Admittedly, all these innovations have only raised the engine's rated output by 6 (!) hp, while adding 7,000 roubles to the car's price.

Still, according to reports, the improved Priora engines run quieter and use less oil and fuel (which should improve these cars' environmental performance). Whether these claims hold up in practice remains to be seen; for now, consumers will only feel the price hike on Russia's people's car.