Chevrolet Niva

VAZ-2123 (1998–2002)

Chevrolet Niva (2003–2009)

It features an updated body and 1.7-litre gasoline engine with fuel injection. Although the body and the interiors are new, it is still based on the old VAZ 2121 engine, transmission and most mechanicals.

In 2003 the car was awarded zero stars out of a possible four by the Russian ARCAP safety assessment program.[2]

An export version with reinforced hull, 1.8-litre Opel Ecotec Family 1 gasoline engine and Aisin four-wheel drive has been under consideration since 2003. Although most of the engineering work has been completed, the release has been constantly postponed. Although the GM-AvtoVAZ considered building a new engine plant for the local production of Ecotecs, 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 Fall 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, that made the project not as successful and led it to be discontinued in April 2008. Another reason was the ceasing of Ecotec engine production at the Hungarian plant.[3]

In 2009, the model got a minor update, featuring a slight restyling, done by Bertone studio and some minor-changes.[4] The GLS and GLC version also comes with improved safety, such as ABS and dual front airbags.[5]

Chevrolet Niva Concept
Chevrolet Niva Concept
Overview
Manufacturer	GM-AvtoVAZ
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
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.[6] The Niva Concept, designed by Ondrej Koromház of GM (or at General Motors' headquarters in Melbourne according to other sources),[7] 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,[8] although more recent news reports suggested that it was planned to be based on the Renault Duster platform.[9] The new model's production version was initially expected in 2016,[6] but following Chevrolet stopping sales of its mainstream models in Russia, no information has been released on the topic. In September of 2018, it was reported that GM has suspended all the work on planned replacement of Chevrolet Niva.[10]

• Official GM-Niva site (Russian)