Lada owners AvtoVAZ considering bringing the Lada Niva into the 21st century, an unprecedented move for the unchanged SUV.
Lada’s parent company AvtoVAZ is considering changing up the Lada Niva in a major way, its first real change to the design since 1977. According to AutoNews on their report on this Soviet Era stalwart of the Russian landscape, they dropped earlier yesterday (Sept. 10,2018) the Moscow Autoshow was a sign of possible times to come for the Lada Niva, with the introduction of the 4×4 Vision. But this possible change up hasn’t come with some major headbutting within AvtoVAZ, still selling in large numbers, management is seriously considering not even bothering to change what’s already clearly working.
As per AutoNews, the Lada 4×4 still pushes good numbers in Russia with the Niva being the 14th best-selling vehicle. Abroad, the Niva makes up close to a third of Lada exports, its legendary off-road prowess preceding itself as one of Lada’s best brand advocates.
As the name suggests, Niva means Field, the Niva appeals to rural and farming types. But the big wigs at Lada want to appeal to the growing “urban middle class” and don’t want to alienate them with a product that’s literally a blast from the past. Roll up windows, a spare tire in the engine bay, and many other reminders of a bygone era are scattered throughout.
In response, Avtovaz dropped the 4×4 Vision at the Moscow auto show. This 4×4 vision concept takes plenty of styling cues of the Niva of old, but that’s about it, really. It’s a totally different vehicle inside and out. Although engine specs aren’t readily available, this engine’s probably a lot more modern than the stock 1.7L gas engine with its 61 HP and a whopping 95 lb-ft, which, by the way, is up there in power with a Japanese Kei car with an engine more than a third its size. Don’t even mention the 4×4 Vision’s interior, it’s downright out of this world compared to the Lada Niva as we know it.
Sure, a new Vision concept would be great. You won’t alienate the new middle class, but you’ll be erasing such a treasured piece of your company’s history.
The Niva might get zero stars in safety, the heater doesn’t work like modern heaters do, and you have to crank the windows by hand, but in a world with so much change, let the Niva live on as it is. Maybe offer both, a Niva Classic and this new one.
Despite all the hubbub about this Vision 4×4, the Niva will probably remain unchanged for the next couple of years anyway. A production version of the 4×4 Vision isn’t expected to hit Russian showroom floors until 2022.
