The key to eternal life: how the legendary domestic SUV has changed
On the threshold of its half-century anniversary, the legendary Niva underwent perhaps the most extensive modernization. The car received a new engine, reinforced and galvanized (albeit partially) bodywork, seriously modified chassis, brake system and transmission. For the first time, a frontal airbag appeared on an SUV, the interior became more ergonomic, and — finally - there is a single key for the doors and the ignition lock. Izvestia found out whether these metamorphoses will allow prolonging the assembly line life of one of the most "age-related" models in the history of the global automotive industry.
Five reasons and 350 details
The Lada Niva Legend modernization program involved solving five tasks based on claims and complaints from the owners of the car. Leonid Orlov, Director of Products and Programs at AvtoVAZ, told about this during a technical seminar dedicated to the updated Niva.
Designers and engineers had to equip the SUV with a more powerful and productive engine, increase driver safety and improve cabin ergonomics. In addition, they were tasked with ridding the car of chronic ailments: increased noise and vibrations, as well as improving the behavior of the car on asphalt. All these issues could be solved only by a large-scale comprehensive modernization of the SUV. It would not have been possible to achieve this with targeted improvements, Leonid Orlov noted.
— In total, the upgraded Lada Niva Legend has received more than 350 new parts. About 70 of them are related to the upgrade of the power unit," he said.
The Fiery heart
Under the hood of the new "Legend" is an 8-valve 1.8-liter engine with a capacity of 90 hp, already known according to the Travel version. It has more traction (153 Nm) compared to the previous 1.7-liter engine. According to Grigory Lychev, head of the powertrain design department, this engine produces 80% of the maximum thrust already at 1000 rpm. At the same time, the engine is more economical: its average fuel consumption is almost one liter less (9 liters per 100 km). For the future owner of the updated Niva, it is important that this engine is "clumsy" — if the timing belt breaks, the pistons will meet the valves, followed by the inevitable bending of the latter.
Increasing the power and thrust of the engine required improvements to the transmission. In particular, the shape of the gear teeth has been changed, and they themselves are made of more durable materials, said Grigory Lychev. This allowed not only to increase reliability, but also to reduce noise. And to reduce vibration, the motor, gearbox and transfer case received new mounting brackets.
— With the new engine, the car's cooling system has changed. On the previous version, the fans were located in front of the radiator — at high speeds they seriously slowed down the flow of oncoming air. The measurements showed that the effective cooling area of the previous version of the Niva Legend was only 178 square meters. cm. Now that the fan is located behind the radiator, this area has grown to 626 square meters. cm, — said Grigory Lychev.
"Niva" with a pillow and zinc
The updated Niva has significantly improved passive security. Previously, due to the design features of the steering mechanism, it was technically impossible to equip the car with a frontal airbag. Having received a new steering mechanism, which migrated with some modifications from the Travel version, an airbag "sewn" into the steering wheel appeared on the classic Niva for the first time in almost half a century. At the same time, the steering wheel itself began to adjust the angle of inclination.
The power structure of the body was improved — additional amplifiers appeared in the front part, as well as in the attachment points of the transmission and transfer case. This also contributed to reducing the level of vibrations and noises transmitted to the body.
At the same time, a number of body elements — the radiator lining panel, hood, roof, exterior and interior panels of the rear door and the exterior panel of the rear — are made of double-sided galvanized steel. AvtoVAZ does not exclude the expansion of the number of galvanized body elements in the future.
For the first time in almost 50 years, Niva has a single key for the doors (the car is now equipped with a central lock) and engine start. Previously, the doors were opened with one key, and the engine was started with another.
However, the trunk, as before, is unlocked from the passenger compartment by a tight handle with a cable located behind the back of the driver's seat. According to Leonid Orlov, unfortunately, it was not possible to resolve the issue of opening the trunk "from the street" as part of the current modernization program.
— We are aware of this problem and are actively working on it. It all comes down to the trunk door panel being too thin — there's simply nowhere to place a lock with a button or key on it. However, a solution will definitely be found," he told Izvestia.
There are also changes in the chassis. The upgraded front stabilizer bar, moved to the front of the suspension, is designed to ensure a more stable behavior of the car on asphalt and reduce yawing on bumps. And the ventilated brake discs with an increased diameter that appeared in the front should make the deceleration of the car more reliable.
No need to stretch
A feature of the former Niva was the less-than-ideal arrangement of the five-speed transmission lever. Since it protruded directly from the transmission itself, when the fifth gear was turned on, it had to be pulled. Moreover, short drivers faced such a problem when turning on the third speed.
On the updated Niva Legend, due to the modified gear selection mechanism in the transmission with an additional rocker, the gearbox lever moved closer to the driver by almost 10 cm. At the same time, the algorithm for activating all-wheel drive and downshift was changed. Previously, a separate lever was responsible for each function, creating a real "stockade" on the central tunnel, but now only one switch is brought out of the transfer case into the cabin.
In the vacant place on the casing of the central tunnel, a smartphone stamp appeared: previously, there was nowhere to attach the gadget in the "Field".
The second life
The updated Niva will appear on the assembly line of the Tolyatti automobile plant on July 20. The launch of sales of the upgraded SUV is scheduled for the end of summer. Car prices will also be announced at the same time. However, AvtoVAZ is already promising that the Lada Niva Legend "will remain the most affordable SUV with permanent all-wheel drive."
— We expect that the comprehensive modernization will strengthen the position of the classic Niva in the market. This model is in demand by the buyer," Sergey Kornienko, AvtoVAZ's head of product marketing, told Izvestia.
The design of the Niva is certainly far from the most modern, admits Igor Morzheretto, partner of the Autostat analytical agency. The new engine, additional passive safety elements, modified transmission, suspension and other changes should give the car a second life, he believes.
— This is a truly unique car, which, despite its advanced age, is still in demand by the market. A significant and diverse modernization of this machine should give it a new impetus," Igor Morzharetto believes.
Now Niva has something that it has lacked for almost all 50 years of its existence — a suitable engine, says Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem magazine.
— Many people called it "a car without an engine." The previous engines, which had to be constantly "cranked", were not very suitable for an SUV. Now a power unit with good "bottoms" has appeared under the hood. It is likely that it, along with other changes, will fuel interest in Niva," he said.
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