I’ve found no info on the differences to the previous generation which needed a way more powerful engine. If the new variant has it, it could find a place in the North American fun offroad vehicles market.
http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/gm-is-updating-their-lada-based-russian-car-as-an-off-1620762977
Carscoops,World Car Fans, and Wroom.ru seem to agree that the new car get a 1.8 135 horsepower engine to replace the current model’s 80 hp unit and is slated for a 2016 release.