Model history and overview of the characteristics of the Chevrolet Niva

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The history of the creation of the Chevrolet Niva goes back to the times of the Soviet automobile industry , namely, in 1977, when the first domestic SUV VAZ-2121 “Niva” rolled off the VAZ assembly line. Moreover, at first it was not particularly popular due to its high cost (about 9,000 rubles at that time) and high fuel consumption. However, with a decrease in price in 1985, the car turned out to be quite in demand and its sales began to grow.

Until 2004, the car remained virtually unchanged in its design and technical aspects. But new market conditions forced manufacturers to look for more attractive and modern forms. In 1998, a new Niva model, the VAZ 2123, was introduced. Three years later they tried to put it into mass production, but the car plant’s lack of working capital put an end to this initiative, and the Niva brand itself was put up for sale. which was bought by General Motors along with a license for the updated Niva VAZ-2123.

The new owner of the brand made his own adjustments to the design of the SUV, thanks to which the car could be considered a completely new car.

VAZ-2123 leaves the General Motors assembly line in 2002 and changes its name to Chevrolet Niva. The manufacturer hoped that the SUV would be positively received by car enthusiasts. Which is exactly what it turned out to be. The Chevrolet Niva brand became recognizable, and car sales on the Russian market only grew.

Since its debut, the Chevrolet Niva has been repeatedly modernized and various changes have been made to its design. In 2009, the car was released in a new restyled version, and in 2016 the second generation of the already well-known SUV with domestic roots should be released. However, some financial difficulties required postponing the production of the new Chevrolet.

Chevrolet Niva first generation

The life of the first generation of the Niva Chevrolet car can be divided into two large periods: before restyling and after.

At the beginning of its “career”, the Chevrolet Niva was manufactured in two trim levels: L and GLS. The car had a four-cylinder VAZ-2123 engine with a distributed gasoline injection system (torque 127.4 Nm, volume 1690 cm3, power 80 l/s). With the help of this power unit, the Niva could accelerate to a speed of 140 km/h. At the same time, it complied with the Euro 4 class and required 10.8 liters of fuel for every 100 km in the combined cycle.

The GLS trim differed from the L trim in artificial leather trim, R16 alloy wheels and an original aluminum spare wheel mount. Also in this configuration, the car had a more expensive audio system, tinted windows, heated front seats, fog lights and some other pleasant “little things”, which, however, increased the cost of the car.

In the following years, the Chevrolet Niva received two additional trim levels, LC and GLC, which differed from the previous ones, except perhaps by the presence of air conditioning. Since 2004, the manufacturer has already equipped all versions of the Chevrolet Niva with modern audio preparation and electric drive of exterior mirrors.

As experimental models, General Motors is launching the Chevrolet Niva FAM-1 and Chevrolet Niva Trophy, first in limited quantities and then into mass production.

Specifications

Chevrolet Niva FAM-1

At the beginning of 2006, the first batch of Chevrolet Niva FAM-1 rolled off the GM-AvtoVAZ assembly line. The first sales were successful and it was decided to increase production of the model by the end of this year. The car received the index 21236 according to the VAZ classification and GLX according to the brand owner. The updated car received a power unit from the Opel Z18XE, which worked in conjunction with a five-speed manual transmission. Another distinctive feature of the car was the ABS system developed by Bosch, as well as a new air conditioner, driver and front passenger airbags and seat belt pretensioners. Until 2008, they tried to “promote” the Chevrolet Niva FAM-1, but this Chevrolet Niva did not gain enough popularity to allow the model to be sold profitably and was discontinued.

Release and sales history[ | ]

In 2009, Chevrolet Niva was awarded the annual professional award of automotive journalists, “SUV of the Year 2009” in the “SUV” and “Premiere of the Year” categories. In 2015, according to the “Professional Jury” of automotive journalists, it was awarded the title “SUV of the Year 2015” in the “Subcompact Crossover” category[33].

By 2015, 571,852 Chevrolet Niva cars were produced, of which 42,326 were sent to the CIS countries.[34] The 300,000th car was produced already in 2009.[35]

So in 2014, 45,067 cars were produced, which is more than 20% lower than the output in 2013[34] (with a general drop in car sales in Russia by 12% and a drop in sales of the Chevrolet brand in Russia by 30%)[36].

In the first half of 2015, sales of the model fell by 30%; the plant switched to a four-day work week from July 1.[13]

As of the summer of 2015, the price of a Chevrolet Niva starts at 519 thousand rubles[13], despite the fact that a year ago the price started at 459 thousand rubles (an increase over the year - 13%)[18]. The model is sold by one hundred and sixty-two dealers in Russia, as well as seven dealers and three distributors in the CIS countries.[34]

In total, since the start of production (09/23/2002), over 700,000 Chevrolet Niva cars have been sold.

Export[ | ]

From 2002 to 2015, 42,326 vehicles were exported.[34] The model is implemented only in the CIS countries, as well as in Georgia; The main markets are the countries of the Customs Union (Kazakhstan, Belarus), as well as Azerbaijan.

Until 2013, the largest foreign market for GM-AVTOVAZ was traditionally Ukraine - in 2011, this country accounted for 44% of car exports. In 2013, Ukraine introduced a recycling fee and a special duty on the import of cars with gasoline engines, which led to the fact that car exports to Ukraine fell by a quarter in six months of 2013, amounting to 219 units.

At the end of 2014, 3981 Chevrolet Niva were exported - 79.7% of exports went to Kazakhstan, 11.1% to Belarus, 5.6% of exports went to Azerbaijan [ source not specified 632 days

].

In 2022, sales of the Lada Niva Travel began in Bolivia.[37]

Restyling Chevrolet Niva

The team of the famous Italian design brand Bertone worked on the restyling of the Chevrolet Niva. The updated car was presented in March 2009 and, along with the retained general geometric parameters, received a more recognizable look that corresponds to the general concept of the Chevrolet brand.

The changes affected mainly individual elements of the car’s exterior and its interior. The technical innovations of the Chevrolet Niva include modern headlights with a uniform light distribution system, a front bumper with an improved design, and a rear bumper with equipped grooves to improve interior ventilation. The design of the car was complemented by plastic decorative overlays on the body, a modified shape of the rear lights and roof rails.

The interior of the restyled Chevrolet Niva has also changed. Between the front seats there was space for cup holders and a shelf for small items.

The controls for the exterior mirrors and heated front seats were moved from the top to the bottom of the center console. Even the ashtray changed its appearance, turning into a stylish glass with a lid. Bertone designers decided to redo the ceiling trim, making it more attractive.

As for the price range of the 2009 Chevrolet Niva, in the basic configuration the car can be purchased for approximately 440 thousand rubles. An SUV equipped with air conditioning will cost 30 thousand rubles more. In the GLS and GLC trim levels, the Chevrolet Niva will cost about 515 thousand rubles and 540 thousand rubles, respectively.

What Shniva has is not ours

The first version of the radiator grille, with a palisade of vertical slits, was dubbed “Dneproges” by wits because of its visual resemblance to a concrete dam. And some saw an American trace in this grille, in particular the style of the Jeep brand.

Because of the characteristic shape of the radiator grille of the first batch of 2123, wits called it “Dneproges”. And instead of a cross or a butterfly on the grille, there is a boat on the hood. And Shniva’s nickname will appear later.

Because of the characteristic shape of the radiator grille of the first batch of 2123, wits called it “Dneproges”. And instead of a cross or a butterfly on the grille, there is a boat on the hood. And Shniva’s nickname will appear later.

Chevrolet Niva second generation

In 2014, the second generation Chevrolet Niva was presented at the Moscow Motor Show in Krasnogorsk.

The style of the new SUV is no longer so close to the classic features of the familiar Chevrolet Niva, but closer to the Chevrolet model range. A team of GM-AvtoVAZ engineers led by Ondrej Koromaza and the Italian bureau Blue Engineering did a good job on the design of the car.

Among the technical details of the car, the roof rails, snorkel, R6 wheels with 235/70 tires, engine and front axle protection were retained. But the wheelbase has become larger by 148 mm with a total length of the SUV of 4316 mm. The designers also replaced the front double-wishbone suspension with MacPherson strut.

The second generation Chevrolet Niva engine was offered with a power of 136 l/s and a volume of 1.8 liters. The power unit was developed by the French concern PSA and was supposed to be produced in Russia, as was the car’s transmission.

The main modification of the Chevrolet Niva will remain classic, with permanent all-wheel drive and a manual transmission. But there will also be models with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. According to the general director of the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture, in the future, motorists may also receive cars with a diesel engine.

To date, the second generation Chevrolet Niva has not entered mass production. It is expected that the next year 2022 will be more successful for the car.

Dimensions for a conveyor, but not the right one

One of the main innovations of the second generation Niva was the wheelbase increased by 150 mm. Back in the mid-80s, with such a base, several running models (HM) were made based on the VAZ-2121. The new car could have been larger, but the dimensions of its body were determined by the bends of the conveyor in the paint shop of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant of that time. No one knew then that this restriction would soon have no meaning.

One of the running models of the VAZ-2123 is 2121 Niva with a wheelbase extended by 150 mm.

One of the running models of the VAZ-2123 is 2121 Niva with a wheelbase extended by 150 mm.

Notes[ | ]

1. Chevrolet Niva has finally turned into Lada Niva
2. There was a “shnivy”, it became Lada Niva Travel - Kolesa.kz || Read (undefined)
   .
   kolesa.kz
   . Date accessed: December 21, 2022.
3. Oleg Polazhinets.
   No longer a “goat”, almost Simbir: how and why the UAZ-3160 was created - KOLESA.ru - automobile magazine (Russian).
   www.kolesa.ru
   . Date accessed: September 9, 2022.
4. Oleg Polazhinets.
   The path to emigrants: the history of the development of the Niva, which became Chevrolet - KOLESA.ru - automobile magazine (Russian).
   www.kolesa.ru
   . Access date: July 12, 2022.
5. CAR - NIVA CHEVROLET - Chevrolet Niva - Chevrolet - Technical characteristics - Cars (unspecified)
   . avtoprofy.ru. Access date: January 11, 2022.
6. ↑ 1 2 3
   Trademark No. 56672
   (undefined)
   . www1.fips.ru. Access date: January 12, 2016.
7. JV "GM-AVTOVAZ": everything is going according to schedule
8. ↑ 1 2 Ilya Ogorodnikov
   - Test drive of Chevrolet Niva: with ABS, airbags and hope for 2015, Automotive magazine "WHEELS", 2011
9. The assembly of Chevrolet Niva SUVs has begun in Kazakhstan. autoreview.ru (April 10, 2017). Date accessed: May 18, 2020.
10. JV Systems LLC - Special Economic Zone of Tolyatti
11. The release of the new Chevrolet Niva was in jeopardy due to the bankruptcy of Industrial Construction
12. ↑ 1 2 Olga Dmitrenko
    - Will it get to the market? The project to create the second generation Chevrolet Niva is being revived, Rossiyskaya Gazeta - Federal Issue No. 6730 (159) dated 07/21/2015
13. ↑ 1 2 3 Alexey Zakharov
    - GM-AVTOVAZ has resumed work on the new Chevrolet Niva, Za Rulem Magazine, July 21, 2015
14. I. Kishkurno - The new Chevrolet Niva is “frozen”. What's next for the project? Archived copy from July 23, 2015 on the Wayback Machine, Automotive magazine "WHEELS", 2015
15. Konstantin Bolotov.
    AvtoVAZ parted ways with GM and regained the rights to the Niva SUV
    (unspecified)
    .
    drive.ru
    (December 9, 2019). Date accessed: December 11, 2022.
16. Alexey ISAEV
    - Trophy equipment, OFF-ROAD DRIVE No. 11-12 November-December 2006
17. Start of production of the updated SUV Archived copy of March 4, 2016 on the Wayback Machine // History. 2009, Official website of GM-AvtoVAZ, 2015
18. ↑ 1 2 Alexey Zakharov
    - GM-AVTOVAZ began production of the Chevrolet Niva in a new configuration, Za Rulem Magazine, April 29, 2015
19. The Chevrolet Niva SUV began to be equipped with a Euro-5 engine
20. “Lada Niva: boat on the grille, different tidy and Off-Road version” (Russian). rg.ru.
    _
21. AvtoVAZ began production of the new Lada Niva Travel (Russian). RIA Novosti
    (20201221T1243). Date accessed: December 21, 2022.
22. AVTOVAZ launched the new Niva into production
23. Start of sales of LADA Niva Travel - press release
24. AvtoVAZ has stopped production of the old Niva, Auto Mail.ru
    (March 3, 2021). Retrieved March 3, 2022.
25. Konstantin Russov.
    The plant for the production of Lada Niva Travel will become a “canned food”.
    The assembly is being transferred (Russian). Russian newspaper
    (April 30, 2021).
26. LADA Niva Travel - configurations
27. Special edition of Chevrolet NIVA Archived copy dated March 4, 2016 on the Wayback Machine // History. 2009, Official website of GM-AvtoVAZ, 2015
28. MIAS-2010: Chevrolet Niva will be released in Special Edition format, Automotive magazine "WHEELS", August 16, 2010
29. Elena Alekseeva
    - A special series of Chevrolet Niva in the “Tundra” color has appeared, “Behind the Wheel” Magazine, September 24, 2014.
30. ARCAP. Chevrolet Niva Archived December 11, 2012, autoreview.ru
31. Joint venture, autoreview.ru
32. ARCAP test results (2003) (English)
33. Results of the competition “SUV of the Year 2015” (Russian) (inaccessible link). Professional jury of the annual award “SUV of the Year 2015”. Access date: July 27, 2015. Archived August 26, 2015.
34. ↑ 1 2 3 4
    The production of Chevrolet Niva in 2015 will be reduced
    (unspecified)
    (inaccessible link). Retrieved July 22, 2015. Archived July 23, 2015.
35. GM-AVTOVAZ releases the 300,000th Chevrolet NIVA Archival copy dated March 4, 2016 on the Wayback Machine // History. 2009, Official website of GM-AvtoVAZ, 2015
36. Results 2014: what has the Russian car market come to?
37. Anastasia Melnik.
    Lada Niva Travel began to be sold in South America (Russian).
    Motor.ru
    (August 20, 2021).