Model History
The idea of creating a cross-country vehicle for rural residents appeared in 1969. At that time, prototypes of the Izh-14 and Moskvich-415 cars already existed, but they were not put into mass production. In 1970 Alexey Kosygin (Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR) set the task for automakers to create a comfortable SUV.
Since 1971, technical advice began on the choice of the concept of a new car, and in 1972 the first prototype was made. The car was immediately made as unified as possible with others «Zhiguli». The exterior design was similar to an ordinary passenger car, and the interior is almost completely identical VAZ-2106. In 1972, several prototypes were created for sea trials under the name VAZ-E2121, and in 1973 preparations for serial production began.
For large-scale road tests, 15 cars were produced in 1974, and 50 more in 1975. Before the start of mass production, they were tested both at landfills and on the roads of the country, including a motor rally to the Urals and along the Urals. To compare off-road and comfortable characteristics, the car was tested in comparison with the domestic UAZ-496 and the British Range Rover. In 1975, an order was signed to start production.
In 1977, the conveyor capacity was 25 thousand cars per year, then 70 thousand per year, and by 1981 the capacity was 70 thousand per year. About 80% of the products at that time were exported. In the USSR, the car was not in great demand due to the high price, high fuel consumption and small interior. After the price cut in 1985 «Niva» gradually began to conquer the domestic market. As of 2013, about 2 million vehicles have been produced.
Vehicle characteristics
Body «fields» 3 or 5 doors «station wagon», with 4 or 5-speed transmission and permanent all-wheel drive, working through a two-stage transfer case located in the middle of the car, as well as the possibility of locking the center differential. There is no cross-axle differential lock. Ground clearance (clearance) is 220 mm, which, together with short overhangs, makes the car very passable off-road.
At first, an in-line four-cylinder carburetor engine from VAZ-2106 with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 80 hp. and torque 116 Nm. The next modification of the VAZ-21213 was equipped with a 1.7-liter carburetor engine with a capacity of 82 hp. and a torque of 126 Nm.
In 1979 «Niva» was awarded the State Quality Mark of the USSR. In 1978, the car was recognized as the best in its class at an international exhibition in the Czech city of Brno.
The main modifications of the VAZ-2121
- VAZ-2121 «Niva» - base model with a 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 80 hp. In 1976, an experimental batch of these cars was produced;
- VAZ-21211 «Niva» - the first industrial modification of the Soviet SUV (1977—1987);
- VAZ-21211 (Lada Niva 1.3) - export modification with a 1.3-liter engine with a capacity of 69 hp. Produced since 1978;
- VAZ-21212 (Lada Niva 4x4) — export modification with the right wheel;
- VAZ-21213 - with a redesigned rear end with a lower loading height, a more powerful 1.7-liter engine with a capacity of 82 hp with carburetor «Solex», contactless ignition system and 5-speed manual transmission. The interior and instrument panel were also updated;
- VAZ-21214 (Lada 4x4) - modification of the VAZ-21213 model with a 1.7-liter engine with a capacity of 83 hp with central fuel injection.
- Lada 4x4M is an updated version of Lada 4x4. Changes took place over the period 2009-2011. Updated lighting fixtures, upholstery, transmission and rear suspension. Power steering on all models. Part of the components is unified with the car Chevrolet Niva;
- VAZ-21215 - export version with diesel engine Peugeot XUD 9SD (1999—2007);
- VAZ-21216 - an export version of the VAZ-21213 with a right-hand drive and a carburetor engine;
- VAZ-21217 - an export version of the VAZ-21213 model, with a 1.6-liter engine;
- VAZ-21219 - a transitional modification with a body, interior and suspension from the VAZ-2121, a 1.7-liter engine and a transmission from the VAZ-21213 (1993—1994);
- VAZ-2121B - an armored cash-in-transit vehicle based on the VAZ-2121 (1992—1993);
- VAZ-2121F is an export commercial vehicle based on VAZ-2121 and 21213 with a body type «van» (rear part of the cabin in the form of a cargo compartment);
- Lada 4x4 «Lynx» - a small-scale model of the car Lada 4 × 4 for hunters;
- Lada 4x4 Urban differs from Lada 4x4 in bumpers, radiator grille, steering wheel, air conditioning, power mirrors and power windows. Issued since October 2014;
- Lada 4x4 Fora (VAZ-212180 «Handicap») - small-scale version of model 21213 extended by 30 cm (1996—2011);
- Lada 4x4 Force (VAZ-212182 «force») - armored cash-in-transit version of the VAZ-21218 model;
- Lada 4x4 Landole (VAZ-212183 «Landole») - car with an open body;
- VAZ-2129 «Cedar» - a small-scale model extended by 50 cm based on the standard VAZ-21213 and became the basis for the five-door model VAZ-2131;
- VAZ-2129 «utility» - commercial version «Cedar» no rear seat and barred rear side windows;
- VAZ-2130 «Cedar 2» - small-scale modification of the VAZ-2129 with a modified interior layout (1993—1994);
- VAZ-2131 (Lada 4x4 5D) - a five-door model extended by 50 cm based on the VAZ-21213 (21214). Produced in the pilot production of AvtoVAZ (1995—2015), and then production was transferred to the main conveyor. In 2016, more than 150 thousand VAZ-2131s have already been produced, which makes it the second most popular in the classic family «fields»;
- VAZ-2131 SP (-05, -45) - an ambulance based on the VAZ-2131 with a rear overhang increased by 300 millimeters and a high roof;
- VAZ-2131-02 (-22, -42) — «civil» five-door version of the sanitary model VAZ-2131-05 with a conventional five-seat interior.