AvtoVAZ has revealed a plan to modernize the classic Lada Niva

The classic Lada Niva Legend SUV is planned to be equipped with an eight-valve 1.8-liter engine. Such cars may go on sale in 2026. Oleg Grunenkov, AVTOVAZ's Director of Products and Programs, told the Izvestia correspondent about this on July 1.

Lada Niva Legend will receive the same engine as the updated Lada Niva Travel, which develops 90 hp and 153 Nm of torque. This is 7 forces and 24 Nm more than the 1.7-liter unit, which is currently equipped with both models.

With the advent of the 1.8-liter Niva Travel engine, this SUV will no longer be equipped with a smaller unit. And, according to Grunenkov, the production of the previous 1.7 engines only for Niva Legend will become unprofitable. The choice in favor of an eight-valve 1.8 engine instead of a 16-valve one is explained by the fact that the current axles and gearbox cannot be combined with a more powerful unit (with 170 Nm), otherwise a new transmission would have to be designed for it.

In addition, according to an AvtoVAZ representative, the upgraded Niva Legend, in addition to a new engine and a reinforced transmission, will receive front brakes from Niva Travel with ventilated discs of increased diameter.

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Earlier that day, it became known that the updated Lada Niva Travel in the initial version will cost from 1.4 million rubles. The specialist confirmed that serial production of the upgraded Lada Niva Travel will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.