Lada X-Ray

Russian automaker AvtoVaz has unveiled the Lada XRAY concept at the Moscow motor show.

It's the first concept to emerge from under the direction of AvtoVaz's new design chief, Steve Mattin. Previously Design Director of Volvo, Mattin has a strong history with the SUV breed – it was under his direction that the XC60 was developed while at Volvo, while in his role prior to that at Mercedes-Benz, he also worked on the ML-Class.

The XRAY concept debuts the Lada's new ‘X' front-end, which integrates the headlamps, foglamps, grille and lower air intake into one unit, a feature that will become standard in future production vehicles. We aren't at the Moscow motorshow so haven't seen the car in the metal, but judging from the pictures the XRAY conforms to a newer, much more sporting coupe-crossover SUV format, that follows a not dissimilar direction to concepts such as Renault's Captur and Peugeot's HX1. Regardless, it's orientation appears to be much more 'lifestyle' than the last SUV most of us call to mind when we think of Lada, the Niva.

Stand-out exterior elements are the scalloped surface above the wheelarches, which create almost a secondary shoulderline above front and rear wheels and whose surface 'kicks' into the door, nudging the door shut line in a kink to follow it's path – a neat, whimsical little design flourish. 

Obviously aiming to appeal much more to the Russian market's growing desire for upmarket luxury and opulence, chrome abounds, while inside, brown leather dominates the cabin together with metal accents and soft plastics. A pop-up large central display screen completes a dashboard that looks clean and handsome – the IP surfaces and binnacle building up in layers to focus on the driver's zone and accented by a yellowish mood lighting scheme.

The first production models developed under Mattin's direction and showcasing the new design language are slated to be in Russian showrooms by 2015.

Gallery: Lada X-Ray concept

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