lada Niva Ditches “Zhiguli” Engine for Modernized Powerplant
Tolyatti, Russia – Lada is phasing out its long-standing “Zhiguli”-derived engine from the iconic Niva lineup, marking a notable shift for the rugged off-roader. The Niva Travel, a more modern iteration developed in partnership with General Motors, has already received the new engine this year, and the classic Niva Legend will follow suit next year.
The updated Niva models will be powered by a new 1.8-liter, eight-valve gasoline engine. this powerplant is described as a “hybrid” of existing Lada engines,specifically the 1.8-liter unit from the Vesta and the 1.6-liter engine from the Granta. The decision to develop a new engine was driven by the need to maintain torque delivery at lower RPMs, crucial for off-road performance, as existing engines provided peak torque at higher revs. Moreover, the current Niva drivetrain components were deemed incapable of handling more than 170 Nm of torque, and the manufacturer sought to avoid a complete redesign of the chassis and axles.
The new 1.8-liter engine produces 66 kW (approximately 90 horsepower) and 153 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm, with 124 Nm available at 1000 rpm. This represents an increase from the outgoing 1.7-liter engine, which produced 61 kW and 129 Nm. The 66 kW output was specifically chosen to keep the Niva within a lower tax bracket.AVTOVAZ, the manufacturer, anticipates a three percent reduction in fuel consumption, with potential savings of up to thirty percent at higher speeds. Improvements in noise levels are also expected. The transmission has undergone modifications but remains a five-speed manual. Chassis enhancements are also part of the update.
The Niva Travel, alongside its new engine, has received minor cosmetic updates including revised bumpers, grille, and LED lighting. The price has seen a slight increase, now starting at 1.4 million rubles (approximately 377,000 Czech crowns). The Niva Legend is slated for its modernization next year, with test series already underway in Tolyatti. It will also benefit from larger front brake discs sourced from the Niva Travel.
this is not the frist time the Niva has seen engine changes. Historically, the off-roader initially featured a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, later replaced by a 1.7-liter unit with carburetor and then fuel injection in the early 1990s. avtovaz also experimented with a new 1.8-liter engine in the 1990s, but it proved unreliable, and a 2.0-liter engine project did not progress significantly. For export markets, tax regulations led to the introduction of a 1.3-liter engine from the Zhiguli in the 1990s and early 2000s. more recently,the niva Sport model offered a 1.6-liter engine with 90 kW from the Sport Granta. the Niva Travel, originally launched as the Chevrolet Niva, previously attempted to incorporate an 1.8-liter Opel engine with an Aisin gearbox, but this combination proved too costly for consumers.
