The vehicle was developed by the Vilniusskaja Fabrika Transportnych Sredstv (VFTS), which originated as a workshop at the Vilnius car repair factory. Founded and managed by Lithuanian rally driver Stasys Brundza, the company specialized in the production of competition-grade Lada vehicles and engines. The Lada VFTS was specifically designed to meet FIA Group B requirements, receiving its official homologation on October 1, 1982. The primary objective of the design was to transform the standard Lada 2105 into a durable racing machine capable of handling the stresses of professional rallying while maintaining ease of repair.
The Lada VFTS is a rear-wheel drive vehicle powered by a heavily modified version of the standard Lada engine. While the base 2105 produced approximately 75 HP, the VFTS version achieved between 160 and 180 HP. This high-efficiency engine requires 100 octane fuel and features a reorganized engine compartment where unnecessary elements, such as the air filter, are removed to facilitate rapid repairs.
The chassis and bodywork underwent significant modifications:
Weight Reduction: To reach a total weight of 920–950 kg, plexiglass or polycarbonate was used in place of standard glass.
Structural Reinforcement: The body and axle housing were heavily fortified to withstand racing conditions. A roll cage was installed in the cabin, which was stripped to include only two bucket seats with 4-point seat belts.
Drivetrain and Suspension: The car utilizes a single-row gearshift that produces a characteristic sound. Due to space constraints within the modified assembly, the gear positions were relocated.
Braking and Aerodynamics: The braking system retains the production configuration of front discs and rear drums. The exterior is defined by angularly broadened mudguards, necessitated by the installation of widened wheels, along with specialized spoilers.
The Lada VFTS was widely exported for international competition, with 30 original vehicles sent to countries including Norway, Canada, Panama, Jordan, Finland, Spain, and Austria. The car was strongly advertised, including through English-language promotional materials, and gained significant popularity among drivers for its performance relative to its origins.
Following the ban of Group B, production of the official Lada VFTS ceased as the Soviet Union abolished the program. However, the design's popularity led many rally drivers to copy its technical solutions. It saw a major resurgence in the late 1990s within the H class of the Hungarian championship. In contemporary racing, the car is frequently used by Russian drivers in the Club Rally Series and Rally-Sprints, where replicas often outperform more modern rally vehicles.
The engineering team at VFTS, including Zbignevas Kivertas, Henrikas Šilinis, Vygandas Ulickas, and Arūnas Volungevičius, used the experience gained from the 2105-based project to develop the Lada-2108 EVA Turbo between 1985 and 1988. This subsequent design was a mid-engine Group B car featuring a 16-valve, 1860 cc turbocharged engine producing 270-300 HP. Although the factory eventually became the independent "Eksperimentinė sportinių automobilių gamykla" (EVA) in 1988, the technical blueprints and styling of the original VFTS continue to be replicated by privateers across Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Gallery · 4 related images
