LADA tests 2014-specification car

After the news that Citroen and Honda have been speeding up development of their 2014 FIA WTCC regulation cars, the LADA Sport LUKOIL team showed that it too was determined not to fall behind when it hit the track earlier this week at Magny-Cours.

James Thompson, who has by now driven many hundreds of laps at the French track, piled on yet more miles in pursuit of performance as LADA sized up the testing stage of development of their 2014-specification offering.

In order to move the program forward, this time Thompson was at the wheel of a Granta test car fitted with several new features complying with 2014 WTCC technical requirements.

Team boss Victor Shapovalov said that the Russian manufacturer now have a "clear understanding: on what they need to do going into 2014.

"We are already working on the evolution of the LADA Granta in view of the 2014 season," he explained. "This car will have more of a racing look, more power, more stability and drivability.

"After the first half of the season, we have a clear understanding of how to improve the car," he continued. "During the races we tested the car on various types of circuits, now we know all the strengths and weak points of the Granta and are able to work out the technical development programme."

by Dexter Fielding