Lada Niva Travel
The Lada Niva Travel[2] is a compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) produced since 1998 by the AvtoVAZ Group. Originally called the VAZ-2123 (1998–2002), the SUV was marketed as the Chevrolet Niva from 2003 to 2020, when AvtoVAZ (the parent company of the Lada brand) was in a joint venture with General Motors, called GM-AvtoVAZ.
Lada Niva Travel | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | AvtoVAZ (1998–2002; 2020-present) GM-AvtoVAZ (2003–2020) |
Also called | VAZ-2123 (1998–2002) Chevrolet Niva (2003–2020) Lada Niva (2020) Lada Niva Travel (2021–present) |
Production | 1998–present |
Assembly | Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, Russia |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mini SUV |
Body style | 5-door wagon |
Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
Related | Lada Niva |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.7 L I4 (petrol) |
Transmission | 5-speed manual |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,450 mm (96.5 in)[1] |
Length | 4,056 mm (159.7 in) |
Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
Height | 1,690 mm (66.5 in) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Lada Niva |
However, after General Motors sold its 50-percent stake in the firm in 2020, the car was for a short time rebranded as the 'Lada Niva', giving the car then the same name that the original, 1977-launched Lada Niva/ Lada 4x4/ VAZ-2121 still has, in certain European markets — while the VAZ-2123 is also a development of its predecessor, VAZ-2121's mechanical underpinnings.
On 21 December 2020, the car was rebranded the 'Lada Niva Travel'.[2]
Overview
The VAZ/Lada 2123/Niva (II/Travel) is made only as a 5-door CUV, as short as a Ford Bronco II, riding on a 2.45 m (96.5 in) wheelbase – the exact middle of the original Lada Niva (Legend) wheelbases of 2.20 m (87 in) and 2.70 m (106 in). Although the body and the interiors are all new, it is still based on the old VAZ 2121 engine, transmission and most mechanicals.
The Niva Travel rebadging featured a touched-up body, and the 1.7-litre gasoline engine has fuel injection.
In 2003, the car was awarded zero stars out of a possible four by the Russian ARCAP safety assessment program.[3]
An export version with reinforced bodyshell, 1.8-litre Opel Ecotec Family 1 gasoline engine, and Aisin four-wheel drive was under consideration since 2003. Although most of the engineering work was completed, the release was repeatedly postponed. Although GM-AvtoVAZ considered building a new engine plant for the local production of Ecotec engines, in July 2005 it was announced that the project was cancelled, along with plans for the long-anticipated "export" Niva. However, the project was revived in autumn 2006 and the "Niva FAM1" was introduced as a new trim level for the 2007 model year. The price was much higher than the standard trim, which led to slow sales and the discontinuation of this model in April 2008. Another reason was the ceasing of Ecotec engine production at the Hungarian plant.[4]
- VAZ-2123 (1998–2002)
- Chevrolet Niva (2003–2009)
2009 Facelift and upgrade
![](../I/Chevrolet_Niva_2012.JPG.webp)
In 2009, the model got a minor update, featuring a slight restyling, done by Bertone studio and some minor-changes.[5] The GLS and GLC version also comes with improved safety, such as ABS and dual front airbags.[6]
Lada takeover of production
![](../I/Lada_Niva_2020.jpg.webp)
![](../I/LADA_Niva_Travel_(2021).jpg.webp)
In August 2020 Lada took over production of the Chevrolet Niva, rebranding it as the Lada Niva.[7]
In December 2020, following a new generation of the car, the new Lada Niva was further rebranded as Lada Niva Travel, while the old Niva 4x4 was rebranded as Lada Niva Legend in January 2021.[2][8]
Chevrolet Niva Concept (2014)
Chevrolet Niva Concept | |
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![]() Chevrolet Niva Concept | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | GM-AvtoVAZ |
Production | 2014 (concept car) |
Assembly | Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, Russia |
Designer | Ondrej Koromház |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mini SUV |
Body style | 5-door wagon |
Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
Platform | Dacia B0 platform (planned) |
Related | Dacia Duster (planned) |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.8 L I4 (petrol) |
Transmission | 5-speed manual |
GM-AvtoVAZ introduced a concept vehicle for a new generation of the Chevrolet Niva at the Moscow International Automobile Salon in late August 2014.[9] The Niva Concept, designed by Ondrej Koromház of GM (or at General Motors' headquarters in Melbourne according to other sources),[10] had a longitudinal mounted engine, full-time four-wheel-drive, two-gear transfer case and rigid-axle rear suspension. The production model was supposed to get a 1.8-liter PSA Peugeot Citroën EC8 engine (135 hp) paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox,[11] although more recent news reports suggested that it was planned to be based on the Renault Duster platform.[12] The new model's production version was initially expected in 2016,[9] but following Chevrolet stopping sales of its mainstream models in Russia, no further information has been released on the topic.
In September 2018, it was reported that GM has suspended all the work on planned replacement of Chevrolet Niva.[13]
In August 2020 Lada took over production of the Chevrolet Niva rebranding it as the Lada Niva.[14]
References
- "Размеры Chevrolet Niva" (in Russian). Chevrolet Россия. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- "AVTOVAZ has started production of the new LADA Niva Travel - Press-releases - News - Official website LADA". LADA official website. 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- "Chevrolet Niva". Авторевю. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Chevrolet Niva FAM1 больше не выпускается" (in Russian). AutoNavigator.ru. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- "О Chevrolet NIVA" (in Russian). Gm-AvtoVAZ.ru. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- Нива Шевроле (in Russian). Niva-Chevrolet.com.ua. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- http://info.avtovaz.ru/press-releases/117703.html Niva возвращается в семью LADA! (EN:Niva returns to the Lada family)
- "LADA Niva Legend: the new name for the iconic model - Press-releases - News - Official website LADA". LADA official website. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- "Концепт Chevrolet NIVA нового поколения на ММАС 2014" (in Russian). Chevrolet Media. 13 August 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- "New Lada Niva for 2018… Could it be?". Caradvice.com.au.
- "Chevrolet Niva Concept debuted in Moscow". Wroom.ru. 28 August 2014. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ""GM-AVTOVAZ" is preparing a Chevrolet Niva 2 on the platform of Renault Duster". News-original.ru. Archived from the original on 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
- "GM suspends work on Chevrolet Niva replacement". Automotive News.
- "Niva возвращается в семью LADA!" [Niva returns to the Lada family] (in Russian).