The GM-AvtoVAZ company, which existed for almost 20 years, never gave birth to the new second-generation Chevrolet Niva 2022, although the alliance of the Tolyatti enterprise with the Americans with the financial participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (16.8% share in the project) was created precisely for this purpose.
But it is impossible to say that nothing has been done over the years: in 2014, an SUV was brought to the Moscow Motor Show, which was supposed to become the long-awaited 2nd generation Niva.
The crossover in a bright body kit, on large wheels with an aggressive tread, a winch on the front bumper and a roof rack looked impressive. In addition, after a while it became known that this “concept car” was in fact a finished production version, in which it was enough to remove the off-road body kit and install “regular” wheels.
The appearance of the new Chevrolet Niva, which was presented at the Moscow Motor Show Unfortunately, 2014 was in many ways a turning point for most Russian manufacturing industries, and sanctions against Russia forced many foreign partners to curtail or at least reconsider their investment programs.
The 2022 Chevrolet Niva New Generation project was one of many that did not find implementation, although the changing leaders of the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture continued to look for investors. All efforts were in vain, and since the EBRD withdrew from the project back in 2012, the Americans, after several fruitless years of searching for solutions that would suit all parties, made it clear that they were ready to sell their stake in the joint company.
Technical characteristics of Lada Niva Travel 2022
The restyled Niva Travel inherited all the equipment from the donor Chevrolet model. The car is equipped with a single 1.7 liter engine with an output of 80 hp. and 127 Nm. The engine is combined with a 5-speed manual transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. There is a reduction gear and a center differential lock. Ground clearance is 220 mm. The SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in 19 seconds, and its maximum speed does not exceed 140 km/h.
Full technical specifications:
| Parameter | Niva Travel 1.7 80 hp |
| Engine | |
| engine's type | petrol |
| Supercharging | No |
| Cylinder configuration | R4 |
| Volume, cubic cm. | 1690 |
| Power, hp (at rpm) | 80 (5000) |
| Torque, N*m (at rpm) | 127.4 (4000) |
| Transmission | |
| Drive unit | full |
| Transmission | 5 manual transmission |
| Suspension | |
| Front suspension type | independent multi-link |
| Rear suspension type | dependent |
| Brake system | |
| Front brakes | disk |
| Rear brakes | drums |
| Fuel consumption | |
| Urban cycle, l/100 km | 13.4 |
| Extra-urban cycle, l/100 km | 8.5 |
| Combined cycle, l/100 km | 10.2 |
| dimensions | |
| Number of seats | 5 |
| Length, mm | 4099 |
| Width, mm | 1804 |
| Height, mm | 1652 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2450 |
| Trunk volume (min/max), l | 320/650 |
| Ground clearance (clearance), mm | 220 |
| Weight | |
| Curb (min/max), kg | 1485 |
| Full, kg | 1860 |
| Dynamic characteristics | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 140 |
| Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s | 19.0 |
2022 Chevrolet Niva: new model or end of story?
An American-made SUV produced in Tolyatti, but entirely of Russian origin, is guaranteed to remain on the assembly line until December 20, 2022 - it was before this date that the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture received a new OTTS (Vehicle Type Approval) document for the Chevrolet Niva, confirming the legitimacy of the sale and operation of a vehicle on the territory of the Russian Federation and the countries of the Customs Union.
With the registration of the new certification, the car did not undergo any significant modernization; it only received a driver’s airbag and an anti-lock braking system (ABS), as well as an Era-Glonass emergency call system in all trim levels.
Apparently, the decision to extend the life of the Chevrolet Niva until the end of 2022 is associated with a similar end of the life cycle of the VAZ Lada 4×4 SUV, for which by that time it is planned to release a completely new generation and move to a completely different technical basis. Let us remind you that the current Shniva is entirely based on the Lada 4×4 platform; the production of all technical components and assemblies, in fact, as well as body elements, is carried out at the main AvtoVAZ enterprise, the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture is engaged only in final assembly.
However, soon after the extension of the OTTS for the SUV, information appeared about the loss of interest by the Americans from General Motors in the joint venture with the Russian auto giant, and subsequently both parties reached an agreement on the purchase by AvtoVAZ of the remaining 50% of the shares of the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture, that is, the entire GM share. Within the framework of existing agreements, GM-AvtoVAZ will initially continue to operate under its current name and will normally produce the Niva SUV under the Chevrolet brand, but in the future the model will receive the Lada logo, and the company will be renamed.
That is, for now, two full-fledged SUVs on a common platform will exist in parallel in AvtoVAZ’s production range, but then the branches of their development should diverge in different directions. It has already been decided that in the completely new generation Lada 4×4 will be transferred to the utilitarian Global Access platform (aka B0), provided by the Franco-Japanese alliance Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, and in fact will become an analogue of the current Renault Duster. I would like to believe that the Shniva in its current concept will remain in production as a kind of alternative to the classic SUV, if, of course, there remains a steady demand for one.
In addition, GM-AvtoVAZ has allegedly already shown dealers a production-ready version of the restyled Chevrolet Niva 2022 model year, the new body of which is based on a five-year-old concept, which at one time was a rather ambitious project for a new generation of the model not only with a new, extremely catchy appearance, but also with the use of completely foreign components and assemblies in the design of the car. In the end, it was not possible to implement those plans, largely due to the policies of General Motors, which significantly reduced its presence in the Russian car market and refused to finance the further development and completion of the newest SUV with a Russian-American name.
In general, the fate of the Chevrolet Niva after 2021 remains unclear, because the question of the technical basis for the SUV remains open if AvtoVAZ by that time decides to completely stop production of its classic chassis, which traces its origins, if you really look at it that way, no more than little since the mid-sixties of the last century. Perhaps for the hypothetical new Niva model under the Lada brand, this cart will still be modified while maintaining permanent all-wheel drive with a full-fledged mechanical transfer case with a divider for low gears. As a more modern power unit to replace the archaic 1.7-liter 80-horsepower VAZ-2123 engine under the hood of an SUV, the currently most productive VAZ engine of large-scale production, the VAZ-21179, with a volume of 1.8 liters and a capacity of 122 horsepower, was previously considered.
Update:
In December 2022, AvtoVAZ announced the start of production of a restyled SUV, now produced under the name Lada Niva, the front of which repeats the stylistic features of the concept shown above, but the side looks unchanged. At the stern, the updates are minor. No technical innovations are expected in the near future.
Engines and transmission
Throughout the history of its existence, the Niva 2123 SUV was equipped with only two types of engines - the VAZ 1.7 liter gasoline engine and the Opel 1.8 liter Z18XE.
Moreover, the 122-horsepower Opel engine was supplied only in the pre-restyling version from 2002 to 2009 (in the GLS and GLX FAM1 trim levels), and was paired with a manual gearbox-5 (Aisin).
After restyling, AvtoVAZ refused such modifications, since the car sold poorly due to its high cost (at that time it cost almost 550 thousand rubles, while the basic version was estimated at 380 thousand rubles).
The virtually uncontested power unit of the Niva Travel was and is now the VAZ-2123, which is an improved version of the 21214 engine installed on the Lada 4x4.
Its design is quite archaic; the very first rear-wheel drive Zhiguli engines of the early 1970s were based on it.
Further development of such an internal combustion engine consisted only of changing the diameter of the cylinders, the piston stroke, adding hydraulic pushers and a hydraulic timing chain drive, modernizing the fuel system, and so on.
The 1.7L engine in this car under the hood is located longitudinally and is exclusively paired with a five-speed manual transmission, which is also an old design, and it is not much different from the gearbox installed on the VAZ classic (in particular, it is almost an analogue of 21074) .
Niva Travel is produced exclusively with all-wheel drive, equipped with a transfer case with overdrive/lower gears, front and rear axles, and a forced locking center differential.
The 2123 engine has two valves per cylinder, a timing chain drive with a hydraulic tensioner, a cast-iron cylinder block, and an injector-type fuel system (with distributed injection).
Its main characteristics:
- number of cylinders – 4, in-line;
- exact working volume – 1690 cm3;
- maximum power – 80 l. With. (58.5 kW) at 5000 rpm;
- torque max at 4000 rpm – 127.4 N*m;
- dia. cylinder/piston stroke – 82/80 mm;
- compression ratio – 9.3;
- recommended grade of gasoline is AI-95 and higher;
- compliance with environmental class – Euro-5.
According to the passport data, with such an engine Niva Travel can travel at a maximum speed of 140 kilometers per hour and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 19 seconds.
Fuel consumption per 100 km in the city is 13.4 liters, in the extra-urban cycle – 8.5 liters, in combined mode – 10.2 liters.
The electronic engine control system is equipped with a Bosch ME17.9.71 unit; 8 liters of antifreeze or antifreeze are required to fully refill the engine cooling system.
The 1.7L engine sump holds 3.75 liters of engine oil, and 1.6 liters of gear oil is poured into the five-speed gearbox.
By the way, a fairly reliable steel protection is standardly installed under the engine compartment.
Of course, the domestic automaker could have offered more modern engines and an improved transmission, but did not take such a step for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the installation of new, more powerful power elements would require quite significant changes to the design as a whole, and secondly, this would lead to a significant increase in the cost of the car.
Technical stuffing
In the process of preparation, the designers of the 2nd generation Chevrolet Niva 2022 spent a long time looking for a suitable engine, turning to the options available from both AvtoVAZ (did not fit due to small volumes) and GM (the American company did not agree to offer anything from its line due to the lack of additional capacity for the production of increased batches of engines).
Chevrolet Niva of the current generation The moment came when the right option was found - it became the naturally aspirated Peugeot EC8 unit with a volume of 1.8 liters (135 hp), assembled in China and India. Today, when the NGN project was given a long life, AvtoVAZ was faced with a serious task and, apparently, engineers will begin experimenting with a 1.8-liter 122-horsepower engine from the LADA XRay.
Will the Niva have an automatic transmission?
At the moment, all gearboxes for any configuration are mechanical. The use of an automatic transmission is contrary to the conditions for using an SUV. In addition, this will require replacing the distribution unit. Therefore, most likely, an automatic transmission will not be used on the Chevrolet Niva. But AVTOVAZ promises us the second generation of Chevy Niva, which means that it can use an automatic transmission and even a new engine.
The prices presented here are temporary, the number of cars is limited. Therefore, they are relevant at the time of publication of the article. How the price of the Chevrolet Niva will change in the future is unknown.
Will there be a 2nd generation or not?
In view of the difficult fate of the 2022 Chevrolet Niva 2nd generation, which was designed, developed and even tested on European roads 6-7 years ago, no one can say that a new car for the 2021 model year will appear in principle.
This is because in conditions of the ongoing crisis and chronic lack of investment, any project risks remaining on paper. Perhaps AvtoVAZ management has a different opinion? We'll find out in August at MIAS 2020!
Disputes with the government: car companies are unhappy
In 2022, disputes between auto companies and the government over the terms of further work in the market intensified. The reason was the expiring terms of the agreement on industrial assembly, which gave auto companies that invested in the localization of production a tangible set of benefits, including tax ones. This situation primarily means that manufacturers, in conditions of uncertainty, can postpone the launch of new models, which, by the way, was threatened by Renault. In addition, it is more difficult for companies to predict their pricing policy. At the moment, the government, represented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Energy, has still not been able to develop a unified strategy.
Until recently, departments offered different tools to replace the expiring decree on industrial assembly No. 166. Thus, the Ministry of Industry and Trade actively lobbied for the signing of individual special investment contracts (SPICs) between the government and auto companies. The document provides for a certain set of benefits, which is determined separately with each signatory depending on the size of investments, including in R&D and export development. This tool has been repeatedly criticized by auto company executives for its lack of transparency and too stringent requirements for further investment.
The Ministry of Energy, in turn, opposed it for a long time and insisted that only those who produce high-tech products, which do not include cars, will be able to work under SPICs. The FAS also joined the negotiations with the position that companies should not form alliances and consortia, that is, they should not unite to sign SPICs. At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade began to promote precisely this idea of combining brands to obtain a synergistic effect many years ago.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak had to intervene in the conflict situation, who created a special working group, invited representatives of all auto companies to it and also expressed a number of his own ideas. But this did not calm the situation - auto brands complained about newcomers, including Chinese companies that from scratch could count on government support, and their reluctance to invest too much in R&D and export organization.
Currently, according to Autonews.ru sources taking part in the negotiations, the advantage is on the side of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and a number of auto companies are already preparing to sign SPICs in the new year. And this means new investments, projects and models, the emergence of which can revive the Russian car market.
Who is developing?
After AvtoVAZ became entirely responsible for the project, all subsequent developments of the SUV fell on the shoulders of the Togliatti residents. The main question is whether the sole owners of NGN have now received the right to use everything that was created as part of the joint project, and that was financed, including by the Americans from GM.
The answer is suggested by the result of an unsuccessful attempt by Russian journalists who, in 2022, tried to gain access to three New Generation Chevrolet Niva 2022 concept cars remaining at the Spanish IDIADA test site. It was not possible to see these cars due to the reluctance of General Motors to show them...
Prices: cars have been rising in price all year
New cars in Russia after the 2014 crisis increased in price by an average of 66% by November 2022, according to Autostat. Over the 11 months of 2018, cars became more expensive on average by 12%. The agency's experts came to the conclusion that auto companies have now practically won back the fall of the ruble against world currencies. But they stipulate that this does not mean a price freeze.
Further increases in car prices will be driven by inflation and an increase in the VAT rate from the beginning of 2022 - from 18% to 20%. Representatives of auto companies, in conversations with an Autonews.ru correspondent, also do not hide that the increase in VAT will directly affect the cost of cars, and from the very beginning of 2022 - this, for example, was confirmed by Renault, AvtoVAZ and Kia.
State support programs: they gave half as much
In 2018, half as much money was allocated for government support programs for the car market, which are popular among Russians, compared to 2022—RUB 34.4 billion. instead of the previous 62.3 billion rubles. At the same time, only 7.5 billion rubles were spent on targeted programs aimed specifically at motorists. We are talking about programs such as “First Car” and “Family Car”, which apply to cars costing up to 1.5 million rubles.
The rest of the money went to more specific programs like “Own Business” and “Russian Tractor”. They spent 1.295 billion on measures to develop and produce vehicles with remote and autonomous control, 1.5 billion on measures to stimulate the acquisition of ground-based electric transport, and 0.5 billion on measures to stimulate production in the Far East (we are talking about compensation for transportation costs to auto companies). billion rubles, for the purchase of gas engine equipment - 2.5 billion rubles.
Thus, the government, as promised, continues to systematically reduce the volume of state support for the industry. For comparison: in 2014, only 10 billion rubles. went to recycling and trade-in programs. In 2015, 43 billion rubles were allocated to support the automotive industry, of which 30% was also spent on recycling and trade-in. In 2016, spending on state support for the automotive industry reached 50 billion rubles, half of which was also spent on similar targeted programs.
As for 2022, the situation with state support remains. Thus, in the middle of the year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that the “First Car” and “Family Car” programs were extended until 2022 inclusive. They should allow you to buy new cars at a 10-25% discount. However, automakers claim that they have still not received any confirmation about the extension of the programs - the Ministry of Industry and Trade for a month was unable to clarify the situation and respond to Autonews.ru’s request.
Meanwhile, at a recent meeting with automakers, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said that the volume of state support for the domestic automotive industry is five times higher than the budget revenues from this industry.
“Now this amounts to 9 rubles per 1 ruble of income to the budget system from the automobile industry. This is with the recycling fee, and without the recycling fee - 5 rubles of state support,” he said.
Kozak explained that these figures should make one think about the conditions under which state support measures should be provided to the auto industry, adding that the vast majority of business sectors do not receive any support from the state at all.
Interior
The fabric trim of the seats and interior is free of suede inserts, which should have a positive effect on its durability.
Of the six main trim levels, only two top versions have noticeable updates to the interior. The new model in its basic version offers:
- massive steering wheel;
- analog instrument panel with classic arrow dials for the speedometer and engine speed indicator;
- the now familiar layout and configuration of the center console.
In top modifications, the dashboard will receive a 7-inch multimedia tablet and an additional panel with elements for its activation and configuration. Video output on the screen is possible only with the handbrake applied; when reverse gear is engaged, the rearview video camera is activated.
The design of the central tunnel includes transmission, transfer case and handbrake levers, cup holders, as well as a small but quite comfortable armrest.
The front seats have static headrests and lateral support parts, a standard set of mechanical or electrified adjustments, and heated seats are promised in top versions.
The service for the rear three-seater sofa is more modest: it is the transformation of the middle seat into armrests and partial dismantling to increase the capacity of the luggage compartment from 320 to 650 liters.
Changes in external design
The model, announced as Niva Travel 2022, primarily differs from the pre-restyling version of the Chevy Niva in the other front part of the body; it has changed:
- hood;
- radiator screen;
- Front Panel;
- wings;
- head optics.
The new version of the radiator grille is made of black plastic and extends down the sides with a frame for the foglights.
It has fairly large, elongated oval cells, into which small pebbles and gravel can easily fall, so installing an additional mesh here is highly desirable.
Bosch headlights have built-in daytime running lights; compared to pre-restyling optics, they look much more modern, only they are of the reflector type, that is, without lenses and LED elements.
The hood acquired a more noticeably protruding longitudinal “beak” and a less streamlined shape; the front cutout for the headlights at the wings changed, although the turn signal indicators remained in the same place.
An oval large Lada nameplate is now installed in the front center instead of the previous Chevrolet “cross”, and if you cover it with your hand, from a distance from the front end this model can be accidentally confused with the fifth generation Toyota RAV4.
But such similarities are noted only at a quick glance, and an experienced motorist will immediately distinguish these two cars from any angle.
Other changes to the exterior include:
- the appearance of two tow hooks hidden in the lower diffuser of the front bumper;
- more rectangular outlines of the wheel arches;
- two-tone exterior mirror housings (with black base);
- the rear lights have acquired a different color from, now they are LED, with transparent housings;
- a new rear bumper made of unpainted dark plastic with vertical red reflectors on the sides and a lower lip in body color;
- slightly modified side body kit: door moldings, wheel arch frames. Moreover, in the basic version it is unpainted, but in the “top” version, except for the very bottoms of the doors, it repeats the color of the body.
It must be said that although the rear lights have been modernized, they remain the same in shape, therefore they are interchangeable with the old optics.
And, by the way, the new Niva Travel has a galvanized body: the bottom (except for the central tunnel), individual places of the wheel arches are double-sided galvanized, all doors, including the trunk lid and doorways, as well as side rear panels and some other body elements are single-sided.
The engine compartment, as before, is quite well soundproofed: soundproofing material is laid both on the inside of the hood and on the shield in the area of the windshield wipers.
The hood is held in the upper position using a metal pin; gas struts are not provided here.
Honest review of Lada Niva Travel 2021/2022 VAZ 2123 1.7 MPI 8v 80 hp
In today's honest review
we will tell you about the new
Lada Niva
Travel ,
equipped with a
VAZ 2123 1
gasoline .
7 MPI 8v 80 l
.
with
in the body
212300
-
80
(first generation) with all-wheel drive
4 WD
- 2021/2022 model years. From the article you will learn technical characteristics, types of equipment, actual fuel consumption, the maximum service life of the model, and we will also find out whether it is worth buying a domestic all-wheel drive jeep at current prices from Russian dealers.
We recommend reading the article: “ An honest review of the UAZ Hunter with the ZMZ 514 2 engine
.
2,113 l
.
With
".
{banner_adsensetext}Production of the deeply modernized Chevrolet Niva
or simply “
Shniva
” began on the 20th of December 2022 at a car in Togliatti (a former joint venture of
General Motors -
AvtoVAZ
)
.
,
2022, after which the updated car received a new name - Lada Niva Travel 2021/2022
in the body
212300
-
80
of the first generation.
The AvtoVAZ Niva Travel
acquired a more recent exterior due to the front part of the body created from scratch, on which a completely new design was originally placed, and at the back of the new car there were updated lighting elements and some cosmetic innovations.
The exterior styling of the updated Niva Travel
is slightly reminiscent of the Japanese crossover
Toyota RAV4 2021
AvtoVAZ
and
GM
,
Chevrolet
Niva that
was not realized .
And now a little history about how and why the
AvtoVAZ
decided to take everything into its own hands again and left the wing of the American auto
giant General Motors
.
In 2022, the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, also known as AvtoVAZ
bought
almost 50% of the shares (controlling stake)
GM the Niva
to itself, so to speak, to its homeland in Russia.
For about a year, Chevrolet
-
Niva
was sold under the same name and design, but by the end of 2020
AvtoVAZ
decided to get rid of past ties with
GM
and changed both the appearance and the name of its model, after which the whole world learned about the entry of a new all-wheel drive
Lada Niva Travel 4 WD
.
As we noted above, it was decided to assign the modernized model a factory body index of 212300
-
80
, which includes the engine series (2123), the first generation (00) and the power of the power unit (80).
As we can see in photographs and in person, from the previous “ Shnivy
” of the outgoing generation, the updated model differs only in a slightly modified appearance and interior, as well as some dimensional parameters, which we will discuss later in the article.
Options and prices
It is worth saying that even despite the moderately serious transformation of the appearance, and let’s face it, the image, the new
Niva Travel
has risen in price, but only slightly compared to most similar models, which have skyrocketed in price.
The price increase for new cars ranged from 15 to 25 thousand Russian rubles, depending on the version. For reference, we note that, as before, the domestic SUV is offered with one single eight-
valve engine of
the VAZ 2123
volume
1
.
7
liters, which is paired with a VAZ five-speed
manual
transmission.
So, the basic equipment of a new car called Classic
is currently valued by Russian dealers at 765 thousand Russian rubles or about $10,000 (for reference: you simply cannot find a new SUV on the Russian market for that kind of money).
In turn, the maximum configuration of the Luxe
/
Off-Road
is estimated at 921 thousand Russian rubles ($12,100 converted).
Below in the table we have shown you all the current versions and prices at which the new Lada Niva Travel 2021/2022 is sold
from
Russian
dealers .
{banner_reczagyand} Exterior and dimensions
What external changes have been made to the updated
Niva Travel
?
So, the domestic jeep has had its stamped steel hood, front fenders and bumpers with headlights replaced with new ones. The hood has become smoother (volume is a thing of the past) and now it no longer covers the front fenders, and instead of large oval headlights, modern ones are installed in the form of an elongated rectangle with edges beveled near the false radiator grille. In turn, the false radiator grille with large nostrils has become larger and more trapezoid-like. Side plastic moldings and wheel arch extensions can now be black or painted in body color. The front fenders also acquired a certain uniqueness; stampings in the form of pressed lines appeared on them (for reference: in the Chevrolet Niva model, the window line continued with the hood cover, and in the Niva Travel this line continued with stamped edges on the wings). Note that daytime running lights (DRLs) are now integrated into the headlights, but these are not LED lights, but regular bulbs. On the rear of the new product, new LED lights appeared paired with a raised bumper. In addition, in the Luxe
/
Off
-
Road
the appearance of
the Niva Travel
is complemented by a standard snorkel, off-road tires and a body kit made of black plastic.
The body design, which was tested by AvtoVAZ on the updated Niva Travel,
was originally planned to be used on a completely new model of the company, and not on the restyled version.
As auto experts note, the new Niva Travel
has an unusual inflated profile, on which each protrusion has rounded corners, which contrasts quite sharply with the sharp edges of the front part of the body.
Although such a specific solution is not at all repulsive, but, on the contrary, attracts the eye and resembles a kind of short boxer, ready to deliver a decisive blow to his opponent. In general, the appearance of the new car has definitely become more aggressive and at the same time remains harmonious. In our subjective opinion, the Niva Travel
is almost nothing like
Toyota Rav 4
, with which the domestic model is often identified.
An important advantage of the new car was the manufacturer’s decision to galvanize the wings and sides of the body on one side (for reference: the doors with floor panels are galvanized, both inside and out). Also, the body of the domestic off-road SUV has acquired two towing eyes in the front and rear, and there are no more plugs. This decision by AvtoVAZ definitely added practicality to the model during its operation, especially off-road. However, there is a small nuance related to the fact that large metal carabiners (shackles) fit into the eyes with great difficulty, so the best option is to use more compact carabiners (soft-shackles).
As for the features of certain body elements, in principle, the new
Lada Niva Travel
, everything remains the same as its predecessor, the lightweight doors slam loudly when closing, the locks click with a grinding sound (over the 21 years of the model’s production, nothing much has changed).
However, this has its own zest, because let’s remember at least the same “ Gelendvagen
” from
Mercedes
-
Benz
, the doors also close loudly, the locks click with a grinding sound, and all these moments for the Germans are a signature feature of the model that passes from generation to generation.
Therefore, stop scolding the domestic auto industry; not everything is as bad as it seems at first glance. The overall dimensions of the new car compared to
the
Chevrolet
Niva , which recently left the market, have changed slightly.
For example, Niva Travel
has become 43 millimeters longer than its predecessor and 4 millimeters wider.
Changes in dimensions occurred due to a completely new front part of the body and expansion linings on the wheel arches. The curb weight of the new product is almost 20 kilograms less than that of the Chevrolet
Niva
the
front axle cannot exceed 990 kilograms, and on the rear axle - 1055 kilograms).
The overall dimensions of the restyled Niva Travel
2021/2022 model years are as follows: ground clearance - 220 mm, length - 4099 mm, width - 1804 mm, height - 1652 mm, wheelbase - 2450 mm, curb weight - 1465-1515 kilograms ( depending on the version), maximum load capacity – 470 kilograms. For reference, we note that the new product of the Russian automobile industry is equipped with only one wheel size 205/55 R15, however, depending on the configuration, different types of tires can be installed. In addition, all versions of the model are equipped with steel protection and have a removed breather.
Interior
,
equipment and trunk
As for the interior of
the Niva Travel
, it is difficult to find any global changes in it compared to
the Chevrolet
-
Niva
.
For example, one of the most striking innovations is the compact multimedia screen rising above the front panel. It is worth saying that the image quality on the display is quite mediocre, although it is much better than the sound coming from the speakers of the audio system. The sound of music in the car under review is, to put it mildly, not very good, although fans of the group “King and the Clown” may like the sounds of songs performed by the late “Pot”, emanating from the slightly wheezing speakers of the new Niva
. Among the changes, one can also highlight the updated head unit mode control unit, which is located not under the multimedia system screen, but directly under the climate unit, where the predecessor’s standard radio was previously installed.
Niva Travel
has not gone away, although there are definitely fewer problems by an order of magnitude. If we talk about the interior itself, then initially it may seem that the plastic finishing is primitive, and technically outdated control buttons and bulky air duct deflectors are about to fall out of their sockets when you press them with your fingers, but this is not so, the materials are of course budget, but All components are assembled with meticulous precision, and nothing creaks or crunches in the cabin even when driving on a rough road. In addition, all the buttons, air duct deflectors, and various levers are made in good faith, so to speak, conscientiously, although all the controls look frankly very old-fashioned.
The new vintage instrument panel has finally become more informative, although the on-board computer has not learned to show fuel consumption.
We also note that even though the steering column does not have reach adjustment, the level of ergonomics in Niva Travel
is at the highest level: it is comfortable to sit in the car, and there is equipment that makes the trip more comfortable, for example, an integrated navigation system, air conditioning , USB connectors, and heated windshields greatly improve the life of the driver and passengers. For information, we note that the new car does not have a central locking button, and instead of it, there are special levers in the form of flags on the upper panels of the door cards. At the same time, you can also control the central locking from the key itself. A noticeable ergonomic drawback of the model is the central armrest, which is turned towards the driver, which significantly complicates the use of the handbrake.
Niva Travel
much less than in the front, and there will be a noticeable lack of legroom for tall people. In addition, the backrest of the rear sofa is not equipped with an armrest; there are only two cup holders, which are located on the reverse side of the front center armrest. But rear passengers can take advantage of two powerful USB connectors and comfortable headrests. In turn, the rear doors at AvtoVAZ are still equipped with classic “oars” instead of practical buttons that quickly lower the windows.
Note that already in the basic configuration, the Russian SUV receives two SRS airbags and an ABS anti-lock braking system, but the ESP directional stability mechanism is not provided. As for the luggage compartment, it has a regular rectangular shape, which creates additional convenience when transporting large cargo, but it is quite small in volume (for reference: the luggage compartment volume with the standard position of the rear row backrests is 320 liters, and when the rear row is folded, the space increases to 950 liters). The trunk lid with a spare wheel opens according to the classic pattern - sideways, which creates additional convenience when loading certain cargoes.
Powerplant and gearbox
Under a heavy hood lid without pneumatic stops, a new one
Niva Travel
one single atmospheric system, tested for three decades, is installed
8
-mi valve engine volume
1
.
7
liter, equipped with a valve control mechanism
SOHC
(costs one camshaft) with distributed fuel injection
MPI
factory series
VAZ 2123
(power – 80 horsepower, torque – 127 Newton per meter, achieved at 4000 rpm). This naturally aspirated vehicle demonstrates a unique combination of an old power unit with a new body. For reference, we note that the attachments of the unit
VAZ 2123 1
.
7
, especially the generator, is located on top and thanks to the installed plastic snorkel (comes with Off-Road versions), the car is able to overcome shallow fords up to 50 centimeters deep. Also note that acceleration from zero to “hundreds” for the new
Niva Travel
is about 19.0 seconds, and the maximum speed is 140 km/h. At the same time, the combined fuel consumption of the SUV is 10.2 liters (city - 13.4 liters / highway - 8.5 liters) per 100 kilometers. The approximate resource of the internal combustion engine is 240 thousand kilometers. The transmission of the domestic SUV has not changed at all - a classic one is installed
mechanical
five-speed gearbox (
5
—
Manual transmission
) with a lower gear (for reference: the transfer case is equipped with a reduction gear and an all-wheel drive system with forced locking of the center
differential
) of AvtoVAZ's own production. The approximate service life of the domestic transmission is 180 thousand kilometers.
Ride quality and performance
The new car is equipped with a heavy and completely uninformative clutch pedal, and the weak reaction of the weak naturally aspirated engine to the accelerator leads to a strong hum of the engine and a very slow acceleration, especially when loaded. Riding on
Niva Travel
at a speed of more than 110 km/h leads to an uncomfortable state for the driver and passengers, and already at a speed of 100 km/h the tachometer needle shows an incredible 3000 rpm, and this is in the last, fifth gear. It is also worth special mentioning the power steering system, which begins to emit an unpleasant hum in the extreme positions of the steering wheel. And the steering wheel itself is “long”, so you won’t get any information from it. But not everything is as bad as it seems, for example, the smooth ride of an SUV is simply indicative, and on any road surface, even on gravel. In order to break through the suspension, you need to try very hard, it feels like it is simply impenetrable. The car's straight-line stability is excellent, visibility from the driver's seat is simply wonderful, both when driving in the city and when parking. Although the power unit doesn’t really want to spin up and pull the car, it doesn’t stall if the vehicle starts off carelessly. So the new
LadaNiva Travel
– this is an ideal car for those who often like to go off-road from asphalt and who do not have extra money for
Toyota Prado
.
As a result, we add that the manufacturer, the Russian concern AvtoVAZ, reports the approximate service life of its new SUV Lada Niva Travel 2021/2022 model years, equipped with a VAZ2123 1.7 80 hp gasoline power unit, which is about 200-240 thousand kilometers. before the first significant breakdown occurs, depending on the owner’s compliance with the manufacturer’s vehicle maintenance regulations.
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Exterior of the new SUV
As already said, despite the transition of the model from one brand to another, the “new” Lada Niva did not receive any special external changes. Nevertheless, in order to distinguish the new product from the Shnivy, the designers finalized certain details, modifying them. At the front, the new Lada Niva is distinguished by a new radiator grille, with two horizontal lines of black plastic and now the Lada company logo. Following the grille, changes were made to the front optics. Previously, it was smooth, but now there are bends in the lower part, but this is achieved due to the lining on the front bumper.
To give a modern look to the optics, in some configurations the background can be black. The optics of the Lada Niva are based on lenses and halogen lamps. It would seem that there is nothing new, but the engineers simply decided to maintain reliability, because when driving off-road, the main thing is reliability, and not the pursuit of modern technologies.
Another part of the Lada Niva front that has undergone modernization is the bumper. As before, depending on the configuration, the front bumper can be solid or more modern. Most modifications will still have a modernized version of the bumper, with an additional radiator grille in the center, a pair of round foglights on the sides and plastic engine protection in the center.
Otherwise, the front part remains the same. Recognizable hood and identical windshield. The hood of the SUV, as before, has a raised central part and smooth cuts on the sides. The windshield can be either simple or heated along the entire perimeter. Changes to the front end are spotty and you shouldn’t expect any special design improvements.
From the side, the new Lada Niva SUV has remained virtually unchanged, with the exception of the absence of model markings on the front door, as was the case in the Chevroler Niva. Otherwise there are no improvements. The designers left plastic on the lower part (in regular versions it will be painted in body color, in Off-Road configuration it will be black).
The side mirrors of the Lada Niva were left in the same place, with the same functionality. The standard set includes an electric adjustment drive. Advanced modifications received LED turn signals and heating. Body colors of the Lada Niva are available in 9 shades:
- bright red;
- grey-blue-green;
- silver gray;
- grey-green;
- dark grey;
- black;
- light silver;
- dark purple;
- white.
For the Off-Road configuration, a camouflage body color is also available. For a metallic shade, the buyer will need to pay an additional 6,000 rubles, but the result is significantly different from the usual color. The basis for the new Lada Niva, according to the standard, will be 15″ steel wheels. The remaining modifications were equipped with 15″ alloy wheels. Looking ahead, many users have already noted that, unlike steel wheels, alloy wheels are incorrectly balanced at the factory. Instead of internal balancers, which are installed on the inside of the disk, the standard weights are ordinary, installed on the outside of the disk. After a couple of hundred kilometers, such weights simply fly off.
There are no changes at the rear of the new Lada Niva. The designers still left a gate for the luggage compartment. The top of the glass can be decorated with a spoiler with an LED stop repeater and, of course, a full-fledged spare wheel on the tailgate. In terms of details, it is worth noting the appearance of the Niva nameplate on the right side of the trunk door, and depending on the configuration, there may be a protective cover on the spare wheel.
At first glance, the rear bumper does not stand out with any special details, but if you look closely, a rear view camera and foglights are located on it. Accordingly, the cabin has a display for displaying images from the camera. One more question remains, whether Lada engineers have cured the problem of the Chevrolet Niva regarding the fastening of the spare wheel to the body. As practice has shown, over time, rust appeared from under the fasteners, and there was a possibility of through-rot of the body. The reason for this was poor-quality steel and fasteners of the spare tire holder and trunk door.
The last detail of the Lada Niva’s exterior is the roof. There is no particular variety here, everything is strict and without frills. You shouldn’t expect any sunroof, much less a panoramic roof, just a solid roof, without stiffeners, with a pair of roof rails on the sides for attaching an additional trunk. The radio antenna is still a whip antenna and is located at the front of the roof, just above the windshield. In sum, we can say that the design of the “prodigal son” of the Lada Niva has remained virtually unchanged, and some details added a little novelty to the SUV.
Design
After the complete transfer to the ownership of AvtoVAZ, the 2021 Lada Niva received virtually no improvements in appearance and interior decoration compared to its predecessor, the Chevrolet Niva. The main thing, and the only change in the exterior, is the installation of an emblem corresponding to the brand under which the car is now produced. Everything else remained exactly the same. The front is equipped with lensed halogen optics, a black plastic bumper with built-in foglights and a cut line for the air intake. From the side, Niva also has a familiar appearance with relief on the doors, protruding wheel arches and an off-road unpainted body kit. The rear part contains a recognizable “spare wheel” located on the vertical tailgate and a black plastic bumper.
In the interior, as in the exterior of the SUV, the only change is the replacement of the manufacturer's logo in the center of the steering wheel. Everything else remains unchanged. In its maximum variation, the off-road model is equipped with a 7-inch display for controlling the vehicle’s built-in functions. The instrument panel, the control unit for the air conditioner and all other systems are designed in the usual style and were not adjusted in any way by the manufacturer after the Lada name was returned to the SUV.
Restyling Chevrolet Niva 2022: photos and details
Details Category: News Published 12/04/2020
The first photos of the restyled Chevrolet Niva 2022 have appeared on social networks.
In the social networks of Tolyatti at the beginning of December 2022, photographs of an unusual SUV were published and scattered throughout the country, in which one can guess a restyled Chevrolet Niva.
The first photograph to appear showed a car standing in front of the photographer.
In the side of the car, the characteristic design features of the familiar Chevrolet Niva are clearly visible. But the front part has been greatly changed - you can note the new embossed hood, fenders, optics, as well as the radiator grille and bumper group.
On the side of the body, a plastic body kit is generously used to cover the wheel arches, lower parts of the doors and sills.
Users of social networks initially considered these photographs to be fake. However, a little later a new photograph appeared, in which the same car was photographed from the rear. Moreover, next to him there are two more similar cars - green and silver.
In the rear, the changes are not so global - there are new optics and a more massive bumper, made in the same design as the front bumper.
Many immediately noted the similarity of the new product with the latest generation of the Toyota RAV-4 crossover, Russian sales of which started in 2019.
However, the roots of this restyling, apparently, lie deeper.
Return of Chevrolet Niva to AVTOVAZ
Firstly, as the portal previously reported, at the end of 2022 AVTOVAZ signed an agreement with General Motors to buy out 50% of the shares of the Tolyatti joint venture GM-AVTOVAZ from the American company. The joint venture that produced the Chevrolet Niva model became 100% affiliated.
Since April 15, 2022, the former JSC GM-AVTOVAZ has been re-registered in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities as JSC LADA WEST TOGLYATTI. In July 2020, the car itself was renamed - now it is called not Chevrolet Niva, but Lada Niva. Accordingly, a “micro-restyling” took place - the Chevrolet nameplates on the radiator grille and steering wheel of the car were replaced with LADA logos.
Chevrolet Niva second generation
Secondly, apparently, along with the rights to the brand, AVTOVAZ received all the developments on the Chevrolet Niva 2 project, which they had long tried to release at the joint venture, but were constantly postponed, and then completely frozen.
Let us remember that work on the creation of the second generation Chevrolet Niva began back in 2013, and was suspended in 2015. In the summer of 2016, the government of the Samara region announced that they were searching for investors to organize the release of a new product. At the same time, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Government of the Samara Region and PJSC Sberbank of Russia. The parties agreed to discuss projects in the field of mechanical engineering and agriculture that are necessary for the region and important for Russia. One of them concerned the production of the second generation Chevrolet Niva at the Tolyatti JSC GM-AVTOVAZ.
However, work on the release of the new product has not yet begun. “Currently, work on the new generation Chevrolet Niva project has been suspended for a number of objective reasons. At the request of one of the shareholders, GM-Avtovaz updated its business plan. The final agreement on support for the project by shareholders has not yet been reached,” the company reported then.
Moreover, at the beginning of 2022 it was reported that the 2014 patents for the design of the second generation Chevrolet Niva had expired - the company simply did not renew them.
At that time, the design of the second generation Chevrolet Niva could be called modern and aggressive. If you pay attention, many exterior details are implemented on the 2022 model, photos of which appeared on social networks. We are talking about taillights, bumpers, optics, etc. Just like in the concept, the new Niva has a snorkel on the driver’s side to overcome water obstacles.
It seems that the presence of the developed design allowed AVTOVAZ employees to quickly adapt it for the restyling of the Niva.
Lada 4×4 Vision concept
Also in the design of the new Chevrolet Niva you can see certain references to the image of the Lada 4×4 Vision concept, which was presented at the Moscow Motor Show 2022. In particular, this is a honeycomb pattern on the radiator grille, stampings on the hood and a number of other elements.
Salon of the restyled Niva
Unfortunately, there are no photos of the interior of the restyled Niva 2022 yet. However, we can recall photographs of the interior of the second generation Chevrolet Niva concept, which were published several years ago.
If the same developments are used for the interior as for the body design, then the interior should turn out to be much more interesting than the current version of Niva.
When will the new Niva be released?
So far there is no information about the release date of the new product. Moreover, photographs on social networks are so far the only thing that has appeared regarding this project. To date, there has been no official confirmation of the imminent release (as well as a refutation) from AVTOVAZ.
Let us remind you that after the presentation of the Lada 4×4 Vision concept, the plant reported that the new Niva will be released before 2022. However, at that time, Chevrolet Niva still belonged to a joint venture with GM, and we were talking about a new generation of the “classic” Niva (Lada 4x4).
Judging by the photos from 2022, where there is a lot of greenery, they were taken in the summer or early autumn. That is, even then there were at least 3 ready-made copies of the new product. Therefore, we can assume that the restyled Lada Niva could hit the production line as early as 2021.
For reference
The Niva model (2123) is a development of AVTOVAZ and its production began in 2000 under the LADA brand. Two years later, the model began to be produced under the Chevrolet brand at the GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture. All this time, a high level of cooperation between the joint venture and AVTOVAZ was maintained. The main components - body, chassis, power unit - were produced at AVTOVAZ facilities, and painting and final assembly were organized at a partner production site. In total, by mid-2022, more than 700 thousand Niva SUVs were manufactured.
Figures: sales have been growing for 19 months in a row
Based on the results of sales of new cars in November 2022, the Russian car market showed an increase of 10% - thus, the market has continued to grow for 19 months in a row. According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), 167,494 new cars were sold in Russia in November, and in total from January to November, automakers sold 1,625,351 cars - 13.7% more than last year.
According to AEB, December sales results should be comparable to November. And at the end of the whole year, it is expected that the market will reach the figure of 1.8 million sold passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which will mean a 13 percent plus.
The most noticeable growth in 2022, according to data from January to November, was sales of Lada (324,797 units, +16%), Kia (209,503, +24%), Hyundai (163,194, +14%), VW (94,877, + 20%), Toyota (96,226, +15%), Skoda (73,275, +30%). Mitsubishi began to regain lost positions in Russia (39,859 units, +93%). Despite the growth, Subaru (7026 units, +33%) and Suzuki (5303, +26%) noticeably lagged behind the brand.
Sales increased at BMW (32,512 units, +19%), Mazda (28,043, +23%), Volvo (6,854, + 16%). Hyundai's premium sub-brand, Genesis, took off (1,626 units, 76%). Stable performance in Renault (128,965, +6%), Nissan (67,501, +8%), Ford (47,488, +6%), Mercedes-Benz (34,426, +2%), Lexus (21,831, +4%) and Land Rover (8,801, +9%).
Despite the positive figures, the overall volumes of the Russian market remain low. According to the Autostat agency, the market historically showed its maximum value in 2012 - then 2.8 million cars were sold, in 2013 sales decreased to 2.6 million. In 2014, the crisis came only towards the end of the year, so there was no dramatic drop in the market - Russians managed to buy 2.3 million cars at the “old” prices. But in 2015, sales collapsed to 1.5 million units. Negative dynamics continued in 2016, when sales dropped to a record low of 1.3 million vehicles. A revival in demand occurred only in 2022, when Russians bought 1.51 million new cars. Thus, the Russian automotive industry is still far from the original figures, as well as from the status of the first market in Europe in terms of sales, which was predicted for Russia in the pre-crisis years.
Representatives of auto companies surveyed by Autonews.ru believe that sales volumes in 2022 will be comparable to the results of 2018: according to their estimates, Russians will buy the same number of cars or a little less. Most expect a bad January and February, after which sales will pick up again. However, auto brands refuse to make official forecasts until the beginning of the new year.
“In 2022, the cars purchased in the pre-crisis year of 2014 will already be five years old - for Russians this is a kind of psychological mark at which they are ready to think about replacing the car,” Kia Marketing Director Valery Tarakanov noted in an interview with Autonews.ru.
The new Chevrolet Niva will appear in three years
New Chevrolet Niva. The Chevrolet Niva model, produced by AvtoVAZ jointly with GM and recently purchased by the Russian plant, will change its generation in 2023. Its release will last at least until 2033, Gazeta.Ru learned. The car will be launched in parallel with the new generation of the Lada 4×4 SUV. Which the plant has been developing for a long time. Modernization will kill demand for Niva due to rising prices, experts say.
will present a new generation (deep modernization) of the Niva SUV in the first quarter of 2023. The Croatian supplier of AvtoVAZ, AD Plastik Group, notified potential investors on the Zagreb Stock Exchange in a disclosure message.
In June, the Croatian company entered into an agreement with the Russian auto giant. According to which, from 2023 to 2033, it will be a supplier of plastic exterior elements for the new Niva model. The letter states that the contract amount was about 58 million euros, the estimated duration of the project is 10 years.
“AD Plastik Group has concluded new deals with AvtoVAZ for a total amount of 57.7 million euros for the new Niva project. This most durable car on the Russian market will be produced in Togliatti, and, in comparison with the model that has been on the market for more than seventeen years, it will be completely redesigned, the company says. “AD Plastik Group in Tolyatti will produce various external components for the Niva, such as front and rear bumper skirts, wheel arch housings, shock absorbers, rear fender protectors and side trims.”
In addition, the Croatian company intends to produce internal bumper absorbers, plastic wheel arch extensions, pillar cladding and false radiator grilles for the new Chevrolet Niva. The press service of AvtoVAZ neither confirmed nor denied the official information of AD Plastik Group.
“We are not talking about any new generations or restylings in relation to the Niva, except for the imminent replacement of the logo. It’s too early,” AvtoVAZ Communications Director Sergei Ilyinsky told Gazeta.Ru.
Initially, the Chevrolet Niva was a VAZ-2123 model completely independently developed by AvtoVAZ, which was supposed to replace the Niva, which had been mass-produced since 1977. However, after the default in 1998, the plant experienced financial difficulties and a joint venture was created with General Motors for its production.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Russian plant transferred the name Niva to the Chevrolet brand, which since 2003 has produced and sold the SUV in Russia and the CIS countries.
The original VAZ Niva (VAZ-21213) was renamed Lada 4x4 in 2004. In 2014, the Americans presented the new generation Niva project, and promised to bring it to the market in 2016. However, in 2015, after the introduction of Western sanctions against Russia, the American GM radically revised its business in Russia: the Opel brand completely left the market, and the Chevrolet brand concentrated exclusively on premium cars.
At the end of 2022, AvtoVAZ bought the remaining 50% of the shares from GM, thus the rights to the Niva brand returned to the Russian auto company.
The media, citing sources at the plant, reported that the reason for the sale could be the reluctance of the Russians to technologically support the continued existence of a direct competitor. The Niva is still sold in Russia under the Chevrolet brand, but in the near future the model should have the Lada logo.
AvtoVAZ does not specify whether the name of the Lada 4×4 SUV will change in connection with this. Despite the technical identity with the Chevrolet Niva, the cars are fundamentally different from each other in their bodies and equipment. The new generation of Lada 4×4, as previously reported, should also appear in 2023, and the head of AvtoVAZ, Yves Karakatanzis, did not rule out that for some time the old and new 4×4 models would be sold simultaneously.
The continued interest of Russians in the Chevrolet Niva and Lada 4x4 can only be explained by the availability of these models; deep modernization will make the Niva uninteresting for Russians.
“Both cars are real SUVs, with a low-range transmission, a continuous rear axle and all-wheel drive, and at the same time they cost about 700-800 thousand rubles. For this money there is nothing even close in the segment of new SUVs. Switching to new parts will inevitably lead to an increase in the price tag, and then they will lose out against the competition. Unfortunately, AvtoVAZ missed the time when it was possible to launch a new model painlessly,” Ifanov believes.
The Renault-Nissan alliance, which owns AvtoVAZ, is in a difficult position because they have Renault Duster, a direct competitor to the future Niva, and for it the Russian car poses a certain risk, says independent automotive industry consultant Sergei Burgazliev.
“If they do not achieve production with Niva at the level of at least 20-25 thousand cars per year, then it will be difficult for them to maintain a competitive price. In general, taking into account the Renault Duster, the situation in this segment is quite unpleasant, since there will be competition within one global concern,” Burgazliev noted.
Source gazeta.ru
2 057
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Prices: cars have been rising in price all year
New cars in Russia after the 2014 crisis increased in price by an average of 66% by November 2022, according to Autostat. Over the 11 months of 2018, cars became more expensive on average by 12%. The agency's experts came to the conclusion that auto companies have now practically won back the fall of the ruble against world currencies. But they stipulate that this does not mean a price freeze.
Further increases in car prices will be driven by inflation and an increase in the VAT rate from the beginning of 2022 - from 18% to 20%. Representatives of auto companies, in conversations with an Autonews.ru correspondent, also do not hide that the increase in VAT will directly affect the cost of cars, and from the very beginning of 2022 - this, for example, was confirmed by Renault, AvtoVAZ and Kia.
Main technical characteristics
The Lada Niva Travel model is an all-terrain vehicle, positioned as a compact SUV, but it can also be called a Russian crossover.
In the 2022 restyled version, the dimensions of the car have changed slightly: the length has increased by 43 millimeters (now 4099 mm), the width has increased by 4 mm (1804 mm), the height has remained unchanged (1652 mm, taking into account roof rails - 1690 mm).
Other characteristics of this car:
- number of seats in the cabin/rows of seats/doors – 5/2/5;
- wheelbase – 2450 mm;
- ground clearance – 220 mm;
- wheel track width front/rear – 1466/1456 mm;
- curb weight – from 1465 to 1515 kg;
- total weight – 1860 kg;
- the maximum permitted weight of a towed trailer with brakes/without its own braking system is 600/1200 kg;
- maximum roof load – 75 kg;
- fuel tank capacity – 58 l;
- front/rear overhang – 749/749 mm;
- trunk capacity standard/with the rear sofa folded out – 320/650 l.
The Russian SUV Niva 2123 is equipped with hydraulic power steering, disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear.
The steering wheel makes three full turns from one stop to the other, while in extreme positions the power steering noise is heard, and it is very undesirable to hold it like that.
The suspension on the front axle is of an independent type, with a beam in the center and levers on the sides.
At the “rear” there is installed an axle with a one-piece body (the so-called “stocking”), with springs and reaction rods (four longitudinal and one long transverse).
The same configuration of both suspensions was observed on the VAZ-2121; it has not undergone any fundamental changes since the last century.
It should be noted that the rear axle with the transfer case and gearbox is connected using cardans: on models before 2010 - with crosspieces, later - with CV joints, and the former are distinguished by a more reliable design.
According to corrosion resistance
The side parts of the bottom, sills, except for the transmission tunnel, and the rear part of the car body are double-sided galvanized. External doors with one-sided galvanizing. The classic Niva still does not have a single body part coated with zinc.
The Lada Niva will be driven through deep puddles, overcoming water obstacles and fords. To prevent water from entering the front and rear axles, special breathers are used.
CV joints are used on cardan shafts; crosspieces were abandoned long ago. This solution has its pros and cons. Grenades produce less noise and vibration, but classic crosspieces are cheaper, more reliable and more resistant to mechanical damage.
The gearbox, transfer case, axles - if they didn’t show any problems initially, then they will last a long time. There's nothing special to break there. The only thing is that it is worth periodically checking the tightness of the seals.
Chevrolet Niva exterior
The fact that Niva Chevrolet is related to an American manufacturer can only be guessed by the presence of characteristic emblems on the radiator grille, steering wheel and body. The outline of the body has a classic shape; only the rear beam indicates that the model belongs to the crossover class.
Although the exterior design was created back in the early 90s of the last century, its appearance still looks quite stylish and modern. However, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to complain about the outdatedness of the budget crossover, the main purpose of which is to overcome off-road conditions with sufficient amenities, and not to participate in automobile exhibitions.
For trips to places where there is no road surface at all, the car is prepared quite well: a powerfully protected power unit, good weight balancing along the axles, a minimum of protruding parts on the sides - together with plastic body protection and good ground clearance, they already command respect. Even shortened bumpers and non-protruding optics indicate not the sporty orientation of the model, but the ability to storm obstacles that arise along the way.
The ergonomics of the car are also worthy of praise. Although the dimensions of the car are quite compact, the size of the door openings is quite large. The spare wheel is located on the rear door, its location and the continuous rear beam quite straightforwardly communicate that this is a real fighter against the lack of road surfaces, and not an SUV. Glazing on the sides and sloping A-pillars not only improve aerodynamics, but also provide good visibility for the driver and passengers. The taillights fit perfectly into the overall design of the rear of the car. The plastic backing on the rear bumper is very appropriate not only in terms of appearance, but also practicality, as it protects the paintwork of the bumper when loading or unloading inconvenient cargo.
The roof rails on the roof of the Chevrolet Niva also add practicality to the car. The model was restyled in 2009, when the joint work of domestic and Italian designers helped the car change its headlights, the shape of the radiator grille and the plastic body kit. However, there were no serious innovations, and the car remained an SUV.
Body and interior
So far, everything suggests that the second generation Niva will appear in the guise of the previous generation, which has undergone a thorough facelift. The expected X-face will certainly be there, but in the interior of the Russian SUV, against the backdrop of the “update,” elements may appear borrowed from modern Tolyatti sedans or even the Vesta Cross model. In any case, the greatest chance of seeing the real Niva in a new look will appear only at the nearest Moscow Motor Show MIAS-2020, which is scheduled for the end of August.
What colors is the new Chevrolet Niva 2022 available in?
The color range of the new Niva is small, but is available only with the L trim level. When buying an SL, you shouldn’t count on any other color than bright white “Iceberg”. If you need a car in a different color, you will have to pay more. Below is a list of available colors:
- gray-brown metallic "Auster"
- bright white "Iceberg"
- dark gray-green metallic “Sochi”
- green-brown metallic “Graphite”
- dark gray metallic “Quartz”
- light silver metallic “Snow Queen”
- dark brown metallic “Wild plum”
- silver light gray “Liquid silver”
- Borneo silver gray metallic
- bright red metallic “Fairy”
- golden brown metallic "Bronze"
- black and blue metallic "Milky Way"
- light brown metallic "Lavender"
