The first Russian civilian 4x4 which introduced many features common to today’s compact SUV’s.
First of all is worth knowing that the Lada brand is used only for export vehicles outside of Russia. In its home land these cars go under the name of VAZ.
The model name Niva (in the Soviet Union cars usually had a number that designated the model, a name was uncommon, the Niva’s model number was 2121) was also given to the car in order to point out its modern and somewhat western design, at least compared to the rest of Russian off-road machinery.
The unveiling of the car was held in December 1976 and as stated before it was the first civilian off-road vehicle to be built in the Soviet Union.
Once you opened the handbook of the Niva the following statement made a brief and comprehensive presentation of the car’s positive features:
"The VAZ2121 is a comfortable, high speed, all wheel drive, cross country, economy car intended to carry passengers and loads on paved roads of any kind and on dirt roads. The car design makes it possible to operate the car at ambient temperatures ranging from plus 45"C down to minus 40 "C."
Apart from the obvious propaganda the car did feature some interesting stuff that later would be found on most compact SUV’s.
The most striking feature was the monocoque chassis, which means that the car didn’t had a separate chassis and body construction, just like on passenger cars. This ensured a lighter construction, hence it could be easily powered by a smaller engine and had a superior handling, compared to 4x4’s of course.
It also featured full-time 4 wheel drive system and coil springs in each corner, just like the best quoted 4x4 of the time, the Range Rover. But it also had something the Range Rover didn’t, independent front suspension, which ensured a quite comfy ride both on and off road.
Powering the Niva is a 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder petrol engine that puts out about 78 BHP and 122 NM of torque. Transmission is via a manual 4 speed gearbox that ensures a top speed of about 120 km/h. The engine’s power proves to be satisfactory due to the low weight and the close ratio gearing. Not so good is the fuel economy, a car that weighs just 1200 kg should drink a lot less than it’s average of 11 l/100km.
Fueled by a carburetor the engine is setup from factory in such a way that it easily starts up even in the coldest of mornings in Siberia.
Once inside the passengers get pleasantly surprised to see its very much car like interior, compared to the 4x4 of the time. Most of the interior instruments, switchgear and seats are taken ride out of the Lada sedans. The steering in light, despite the lack of power assistance, although it has a long gearing. Off-road vehicle like controls are near the gear stick, two in fact, one is for engaging low-gear on the transfer box, the other locks the center differential for both of the axles to get the same amount o power in difficult conditions. The gear stick however is not in very good position, the driver would need a very long right arm to operate it easily.
Heating is very good, not surprisingly, according to the manual the inside temperature can reach up to +25” C at an outside temperature of -25” C. Also heated is the window washer fluid.
Driving the car on road is no particular challenge, but it does have the limitations of off-road vehicles. Leaving the tarmac becomes another vehicle, not slow anymore, comfortable and with tremendous crossing capability. Short wheelbase and overhangs both front and rear really help. It can go up 58% slopes and ford in 0.8 m of water.
These capabilities combined with legendary ruggedness makes the Niva something of a living legend with a huge fan base all over the world, today they are probably more appreciated than ever. Still in production today is Russia’s best selling 4x4.
One of the last dinosaurs, a real off-road vehicle in a world of plastic 4wd toys that would struggle to go down a road with leafs on it.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
0 comentarii:
Post a Comment