The Lada Vesta may be labeled as concept car, but it’s a pre-production study that will replace the ageing Priora in the Russian automaker’s lineup in late 2015.

But Lada’s plans with the Vesta are not limited to the production car, as the automaker also unveiled a racing version of the sedan for the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), a competition in which it is currently involved with the Lada Granta.

Although the Vesta racing car you see in the photos is a just a study for now, development work is already underway for Lada Sport’s WTCC racer, which could debut in the 2015 WTCC season at the earliest.

French racing car specialist ORECA was involved in the development of the racing prototype, with Lada also announcing that the Vesta WTCC will be driven by Rob Huff and James Thompson.

Besides the Vesta WTCC’s looks, which are clearly an improvement over the current Granta WTCC, the new racing car also features a new yellow livery due to the team’s future title sponsor, Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft. Currently, Lada’s WTCC team is sponsored by private oil company Lukoil.

“Racing is the right approach for Lada. We have a lot of fans and people who support this program, so the company’s involvement in motorsport is important and we need to win. The visitors of the Moscow Motor Show will have a chance to see the new Lada Vesta race car that has been designed for competing in the FIA WTCC,” said Avtovaz president Bo Andersson.

Thanks to Wroom for the photos!

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