New LADA Priora set for Portugal debut

LADA will compete with one example of the new Priora World Touring Car at the following two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship: Oporto (July 5) and Brands Hatch (July 19). From Oschersleben onwards (September 6), all three of the LADA entries, numbered 18, 19 and 20, will compete using the Priora.

The new Priora is based on the current 110 2.0, which LADA Sport is using on its debut season as a registered manufacturer in the FIA World Touring Car Championship this year.

It contains a number of evolutions over the existing model, including engine modifications as well as aerodynamic and suspension developments. The Priora will also sport a new livery for LADA when it makes its debut in Portugal. Having made consistent progress since the beginning of the year, LADA is hoping that the new car will enable the team to take the next step forwards.

The new Priora will be driven in Oporto and Brands Hatch by LADA's new driver, replacing Viktor Shapovalov, who will be helping to develop it as the year progresses. Current drivers Jaap Van Lagen and Kirill Ladygin will race the car for the first time in Oschersleben.

Viktor Shapovalov, the team principal of the Russian Bears outfit that runs Lada's factory entries on the World Touring Car Championship, said: "We're very much looking forward to the debut of our new car in Portugal. Of course, it is still right at the very beginning of its development programme, so we still have a lot of work ahead of us. But the experience that our new driver brings will help us to continue making progress, as we steadily improve the car over the course of the season."

-credit: lada