“Robot” from AvtoVAZ: not “automatic” and not “mechanical”

Robot or CVT

Which is better, a robot or a variator on the Vesta - you can answer this question by studying the reviews of the owners. Drivers who were able to compare both types of transmissions share their impressions on websites dedicated to domestic cars.

Start of movement

In the latest releases of Lada Vesta with AMT, the designers have provided a “crawling” mode. When the brake pedal was released, the car began to move slowly at idle speed. This feature causes complaints from drivers. There is a delay, acceleration is uneven, twitching is felt. After some time, the speed increases, and in city traffic jams you have to slow down.

On a slippery road. Photo source: ac-ladaufa.ru

Against the background of such robot actions, the variator has an advantage. Acceleration is smooth, no jolts or twitches. Rolling and climbing are similar to a full-fledged automatic transmission. When parking, the car behaves more confidently.

Noisiness

The noise in the cabin of a car with a robotic gearbox is stronger than with a CVT. The hum in the AMT becomes audible even at low speeds. When picking up speed, the advantage of the variator is more obvious.

Vibration

An engine equipped with an AMT vibrates noticeably more than a power unit with a CVT. When compared with an automatic transmission, you get the feeling that a car with a robotic gearbox has a “floating” speed.

Gaining speed and dynamics

Vesta with a robotic gearbox picks up speed better than with a CVT only when engaging third gear. The first two are short, the driver does not have time to feel the acceleration. On the fourth, the advantage with the CVT is noticeable. Plus AMT is a direct connection between the gas pedal and the engine. However, the number of gears is small and switching takes a long time.

Vesta automatic. Photo source: va-online.ru

The CVT has a long response to pressing the gas pedal, and acceleration is slow. After gaining speed, the car becomes more dynamic, and traction failures are not felt. Acceleration after 80 km/h is significantly better than that of the robot; the advantage is felt when overtaking on the highway.

Fuel consumption

Vesta with a CVT is more economical than with a robotic gearbox. The average fuel consumption of the AMT is higher, the difference is 2 liters per 100 kilometers. With gasoline prices constantly rising, this is an advantage of the CVT, even at its higher price.

Many owners who took a test drive made a positive decision whether to buy a Lada Vesta with a CVT.

Lada Vesta SV Cross AMT - how did it appear?

The AMT on the Lada Vesta SV is a unit already familiar to us, which has already appeared on other domestic models - Lada Priora, Granta, Kalina, X-ray. At first there were rumors that this same robot was developed by engineers from Renault-Nissan, but later these rumors were refuted. The AMT Lada Vesta SV Cross itself is AvtoVAZ’s own development.

1 — Gear selection drive2 — Electric motor3 — Gear selection drive4 — Electric motor5 — Gear selection rod

Actuators (electric motors) are used from German ZF.

CVT on Lada Vesta

Some buyers do not know what kind of variator they put on the Vesta. The new modification of the car received a continuously variable variator in the Vesta Jatco JF015E.

CVT Jatco JF015E. Photo source: akppwiki.ru

Paired with this transmission option, the car is equipped with a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 113 l/s. This power unit is installed on alliance models such as Arcana, Captur, Logan, Sandero. Factory engine classification is H4M.

The variator can be installed on all Vesta models, except for the basic version. When choosing a Jatco JF015E box, the buyer does not need to pay for additional functions. This distinguishes the Vesta AT modification from its competitors.

Lada Vesta SV Cross 1.8 AMT - issue price

The AMT robotic gearbox of the Lada Vesta SV Cross will be available to customers only with a 122-horsepower 1.8-liter engine. Manufacturers decided that there was no point in installing a robot together with a 1.6 liter engine. The 1.8 liter engine will also be available with a manual transmission.

As for the price, the additional payment for the AvtoVAZ robotic gearbox will be exactly 25,000 rubles, which is not a large amount in today’s money. Moreover, for these 25 thousand rubles you get a serviceable and inexpensive to maintain automatic transmission, albeit a robotic one.

From words to numbers...

The cheapest configuration of the Lada Vesta SW Cross, in which AMT can be installed, is LUXE. Equipment code GFK32-52-X00. This pleasure costs 820,900 rubles. For this money you will receive a fully equipped car with all the necessary functions with a good level of comfort and safety.

The next configuration will be Luxe Multimedia. Part number: GFK32-52-XK2. Price 848,900 rub. The difference with the LUXE package is in the multimedia system. The simple luxury trim has only a four-speaker audio system, while the Luxe Multimedia has a multimedia system with navigation and six speakers. All other characteristics of these configurations are the same.

The Luxe Prestige (GFK32-52-XSH) package is not much different from the Luxe Multimedia. The difference is in the enhanced tinting of the rear windows, the presence of a rear armrest, a power outlet in the rear and heated rear seats. This package costs RUB 866,900.

In order to calculate the surcharge for the AMT Lada Vesta SV Cross, we will choose an identical configuration, but with mechanics. The list includes only Luxe Multimedia with a 5-speed manual transmission. It costs 823,900 rubles, which is 25 thousand cheaper than Luxe Multimedia with 5AMT.

This is the arithmetic. Finally, we invite you to watch a selection of videos in which the authors talk about the AMT Lada Vesta Cross SV.

Transmission Jatco JF015E

The Jatco company, part of the Nissan group, released a new CVT model in 2010, which received the full designation Jatco JF015E. Before installing this box on AvtoVAZ cars, engineers improved and finalized the transmission.

Device

The V-belt mechanism is the main part of the box. The elements of the device are cone pulleys and a pushing belt, which transmits torque that changes as the pulleys move closer and further apart. The box also includes a hydraulic unit and a two-stage planetary gearbox, which reduces the weight of the structure and increases the range of gear ratios.

Resource Jatco JF015E

The use of planetary gears in transmissions for small-volume engines makes the design smaller and more compact, but impairs reliability and reduces the overall service life of the unit. The planned service life of the transmissions is 120 thousand kilometers. In practice, box failure occurs earlier. Repair requires special equipment and skilled technicians.

Positive sides

The modified version of the new transmission has advantages:

• the variator has become more compact, it is better located in the perimeter of the subframe, due to which the ground clearance has decreased;
• the load mode is lightened when switching from forward to reverse gear, they shift clearly and smoothly;
• the load when mixing transmission oil has decreased, which is important at low temperatures;
• The functioning of the box cooling system has been improved, it is brought into the same circuit with the engine;
• the acceleration of the car is smooth, without jerks or dips in traction.

Vesta with automatic transmission. Photo source: news.myseldon.com

The developers of the modified Jatco JF015E transmission assure that oil is filled for the entire service life of the automatic transmission. Replacement will only be required during repairs. Although in fact it is better to change it after 100 thousand km, which can significantly increase the service life of the box. But this needs to be done in a workshop.

Minuses

The operating instructions indicate the disadvantages of a CVT transmission that the car driver should pay attention to:

• manufacturers do not recommend sudden starts, slipping and sudden braking - these factors lead to premature wear of the transmission;
• It is prohibited to tow the car for an emergency engine start;
• It is not recommended to use a trailer, as this increases the load on the variator.

Following the instructions, you must treat the variator with care and avoid an aggressive driving style. By following the recommendations, you can avoid the costs of premature box repairs.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Lada Vesta automatic transmission

Automatic and manual transmissions The new product has two transmission options: domestic automatic and French manual. Since many tests of the car were carried out (automatic test drive video below), we can confidently talk about the pros and cons of the first and second gearboxes.

The global market has shown that the frequency of implementation of AMT in vehicles is beginning to fall, this is due to the following factors:

• the mechanism operates with small and unauthorized delays, which makes the driver very nervous;
• the robot switches gearbox gears quite sharply, this is noted by a large number of owners who have a colossal love for dynamic driving;
• The robot does not reduce gears in a timely manner on slopes, and when driving up a mountain in reverse, it excessively “rips” the gears.

Robotic gearboxRussian designers decided to take a risk and create their own robot with five stages, relying on the following advantages:

• Production is cheaper than designing a manual transmission and an automatic transmission. On the dealer market, a “robot” costs about 20,000 rubles, which is two times cheaper than an automatic transmission (automatic transmission).
• The fuel consumption of a Lada Vesta automatic or robot is significantly reduced.
• There is no need for frequent diagnostics and repair of the robot.
• The mechanism has built-in protection against unauthorized engagement of the gear at any speed.
• The automatic transmission consumes three times more oil than the Lada Vesta robotic gearbox.
• During driving there is no vibration of the lever, smooth clutch is ensured even during sudden pressure on the gas pedal.

In their development, domestic designers took into account the experience of foreign engineers and began to use German actuators (actuators), as well as French-made clutches in their transmissions. An option for clutch wear compensation is installed inside the AMT Lada Vesta. In addition, it does not need to be warmed up before starting work. An automated manual transmission weighs much less than an automatic transmission, which reduces gas mileage when driving.

All possible configurations of the Lada Vesta car were declassified by the car plant's designers quite a long time ago: already in February 2015, some interviewers were able to obtain accurate information from those responsible for the creation of the new model.

It has now become absolutely clear that the new model from the AvtoVAZ concern, in its highest “Lux” configuration, will be equipped with a Lada Vesta robotic gearbox.

This is quite good news for all Russian drivers without exception: the Lada Vesta variator installed in the maximum configuration (or AMT, as it is called in various resources dedicated to auto topics) is perfect for both fans of manual gear shifting and those who appreciate concentrating on the track, who do not like take your hand off the steering wheel.

To equip the luxury Lada Vesta models, the designers abandoned the VAZ robotic gearbox.

However, the standard VAZ gearbox is not included in any power unit - in previous Grant, Priora and Kalina models, significant shortcomings were found that reduce the service life of the robotic gearbox.

How does this robot box differ from the standard VAZ one? Firstly, one of the most positive differences is the higher level of quality of its assembly - the components provide a more reliable clutch and faster gear shifting while driving.

Driving dynamics are not lost, which becomes clear from many reviews from drivers who have tested this gearbox.

Secondly, while driving, this transmission makes significantly less noise, which has a positive effect on the quality of driving (the driver gets rid of an intrusive irritant; in addition, without noise, you can talk more calmly with passengers or listen to the radio).

Principle of operation

The uninitiated reader will be interested in the operating principle of this unit. At its core, the Lada Vesta variator, which will eventually be installed on the “Lux” model, is an advantageous combination of a manual transmission and an automatic transmission with the ability to both automatically change speeds and manually by manipulating a lever located in the cabin.

CVT problems

Cars with a CVT arrived at dealers in November 2021. Since the summer, the Jatco gearbox has been installed on the XRAY Cross, during which time the operation of the cars revealed problems with the transmission.

Oil quality

The transmission is demanding on the quality of ATF fluid. If you use oil of a class lower than NS-3, recommended by the manufacturer, the variator valve body may fail.

At every vehicle maintenance, it is recommended to check the condition of the lubricant in the box.

Bearing failure

Before the modernization, there were many complaints about the adjustment of the input shaft roller bearing during assembly. The axial play gap was set incorrectly. When pinched, the hub was destroyed, which led to failure of the entire gearbox. Engineers corrected the defect, the unit became reliable, but repairs require fine tuning.

Sun gear failure

This structural element cannot withstand maximum loads and becomes unusable. The gear is welded from two parts; when the car is working hard, the seam does not hold up, the part breaks, and the entire assembly fails. A symptom of a breakdown is the absence of reverse gear when the corresponding position of the shift knob is turned on. Another sign is that the car does not move forward.

Oil pump failure

The valve in this unit fails; it hangs due to oil contaminated with wear products. The lubricant pressure in the variator drops. As a result, the driver feels jolts or jerks when moving from a standstill.

The nuances of driving the Vesta robot

As with all cars, when driving a Lada robot, there are some nuances that should be taken into account when purchasing. They can be understood most clearly if you read the reviews about the robot on Vesta. For example, the gearbox is sometimes tricky when changing gears. If you are driving in second gear, slowly picking up speed, the robot may misunderstand you and shift to first gear instead of third. This often happens during not very dynamic acceleration.

If you need a faster start, there is a little trick. Usually, when driving on the highway, the robot engages fifth gear. If you press the gas pedal to the floor, the car engages third gear, after which the speed immediately increases. This allows you to overtake on high-speed sections of the road. After completing the maneuver, just release the pedal to its normal state, and the AMT will switch back to 5th gear.

As we have already said, a processor is inserted into the robot on the Lada, which reads the behavior and driving style of the driver and adapts to it. If you want the most dynamic acceleration without jerking, then you can try the following driving style:

• Accelerate without releasing the gas pedal. The robot itself will select the right moment to shift from first gear to second, and then to third. But be prepared for a slight jerk between shifts.
• Once your car reaches a speed of 40 km/h, release the gas pedal slightly. At this moment, the car will smoothly shift gears.
• The same action must be repeated at a speed of about 60-80 if you are going to go even faster.
• If at speed 4 you do not press the gas pedal to the floor, then, most likely, AMT will immediately set speed 5, at which dynamic acceleration is impossible.
• When driving uphill, the robot itself slows down if it becomes difficult for the engine to hold the current gear. For beginners, this nuance is especially good: now your car will definitely not stall while climbing a slope.

You still need to get used to driving a manual automatic transmission, but the convenience and reasonable cost of the AMT completely hides all its shortcomings.

Operating rules

The driver is informed in the operating instructions about how the variator works on the Vesta. The control knob has the following switches:

• P – parking;
• R – back;
• N – neutral position;
• D – forward;
• M “+” and “–” – manual switching of a lower or higher gear.

Control knob on Vesta. Photo source: akppwiki.ru

The engine is started in position P. The brake pedal is pressed, and when the lock button is pressed, the handle is moved to D or R, depending on where the movement will be directed.

The gear shift lines are indicated on the handle:

1. From P to neutral position N, forward – D, backward – R.
2. In manual mode M, downshifts or upshifts are selected.

Mode M is activated only when moving from position D. You can move in reverse only by moving the handle to R from N. The engaged gear is displayed on the dashboard screen.

The rules prohibit moving the lever to the parking position P while driving. This action can lead to damage to the gearbox. When stopping briefly at a traffic light or in another similar situation, P and N are not activated and the vehicle is held down with the brake pedal.

To extend the service life of the transmission and avoid costly repairs, you should follow the rules prescribed in the instructions:

• before starting to drive, especially in winter, let the engine idle for a few minutes;
• immediately after starting to move, rapid acceleration is not recommended;
• the driver must avoid slipping, sudden starts and sudden braking;
• It is prohibited to tow the vehicle to start the engine.

Until the vehicle reaches a mileage of 2 thousand kilometers, towing other vehicles and trailers is prohibited.

Design features and device of the JR5 Lada Vesta gearbox

The domestic robot largely copies the boxes of the German concern ZF. The AMT actuator consists of:

• clutch activation actuator;
• speed change actuator;
• clutch forks;
• backstage for controlling gears inside the car;
• input shaft speed sensor.

The design of a typical robot with electric drive and a single clutch disc. In Europe and Asia, such technology was abandoned five years ago in favor of preselective models, but on the domestic market this is a new product.

Possibility of replacing the CVT with a manual transmission

When using Vesta with a CVT, some owners have problems with the convenience of driving the car. In this situation, the question arises: is it possible to replace the gearbox with a manual transmission?

If the variator breaks down, repairing it or purchasing a new Jatco JF015E transmission will require significant financial costs. The cost of a new variator is 185 thousand rubles, a new manual transmission is 50. In this case, replacing it with a manual transmission seems more economical.

Replacing a CVT is an expensive proposition. Photo source: drive2.ru

On websites dedicated to AvtoVAZ cars, this issue has been repeatedly raised on forums. After analyzing articles, reviews, and user messages, we can come to the conclusion that replacing a CVT with a manual transmission is possible. However, there are opinions that prove the inappropriateness of this work:

• The manual transmission and the cost of replacing the transmission can be comparable to the price of a new CVT with installation;
• Abnormal modifications can significantly degrade the performance of the vehicle's electronic system.

The most reasonable way out of the situation is to sell the Vesta with a repaired variator and purchase a car with a manual transmission.

What configuration does the AMT come with?

Lada Vesta with an automated manual transmission is available only in luxury configuration. When purchasing this assembly, you can also purchase a manual transmission, which is standard. But for the robot you will have to pay about 25,000 rubles.

Considering that the price for a Lada Vesta in the maximum configuration exceeds 600 thousand, a reasonable question arises: is the game worth the candle? What advantages and disadvantages can be found in such a supplement?

Reviews from car owners