Lada Niva/VAZ-2121

The Lada Niva / VAZ-2121 is a compact SUV of the Russian manufacturer AvtoVAZ and is sold in Europe and the West under the Lada brand, whose production began in 1977 and continues to date. It has a monocoque body with three doors, front-engine, permanent four-wheel drive wheels.

The Soviet Union was the largest country in the world, with a variety of climates and above all, significant gaps in infrastructure. In cities, the Lada derived from FIAT 124 gave good service to its users, but in rural or remote areas this vehicle was clearly insufficient.

In 1970, the Soviet State contacted AvtoVAZ to order the design and manufacture of a new economic and robust vehicle 4×4 thought in daily use for farmers. Between one and two years later, AvtoVAZ designed a first very similar to the military UAZ prototypes, although the designs did not convince and in 1973 work on the known self-supporting body of the Niva began. A year later saw the light the first almost definitive prototypes with engine 1,600 FIAT-known and a power that exceeded 70 CV.

In 1976 they started manufacturing model series, with an annual production of around 100,000 Nivas. Thus was born the Lada Niva and VAZ / BA3 2121.

In anticipation of the harsh climatic conditions in some Russian regions and the impossibility of using the electric starter at temperatures up to -40 ° C, the standard equipment of NIVA includes a crank to start the engine. This is introduced through a hole in the front and acting directly on the crank-style cars from the early twentieth century. Most Lada (2101, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2106 and 2107) models feature crank series, including exported to other countries.

Its transmission and frame are developed by Lada, while mechanical origin is Fiat. It has manual locking and center differential. Its mechanical performance, its cheap maintenance and extreme robustness have made this model lasts for almost four decades with few modifications.

Some consider it one of the best vehicles produced in the  now Russia, and is a highly sought after by enthusiasts working in unfavorable conditions above other vehicles model. It is found in practically every country in the world. Some call it “The Russian tank” for its ruggedeness, simplicity in design and strong and solid hardware. It competes with other similar models, like GAZ-69 and UAZ UAZ-452d and 469 (vehicles that are part of the Russian agrarian culture and military arsenals of the former USSR). It is usual to see it compete in off-road scenarios and see embarrass technically superior models such as the Land Rover, Toyota and Jeep. Its towing capacity and trailer load are similar to those of a small truck, given its displacement of 1600 cc and its size compared to other larger cars.