Editing Lada Niva (section)

===Design===
[[File:Lada Taiga 4x4 1.7i (53222891595).jpg|thumbnail|Current model in production, the Lada Niva 1.7i three-door [[hatchback]]]]
The original Niva has a naturally aspirated 1.6-L [[overhead cam|overhead-cam]] [[Straight-4|four-cylinder]] petrol engine producing {{convert|56|kW|hp|abbr=on}} and 126&nbsp;N·m (93&nbsp;lb·ft) at 5,000 rpm, a four-speed [[manual transmission]], and a full-time four-wheel drive. The drive system uses three differentials: center, front, and rear. The transfer case involves a high/low range selector lever and another to lock the central differential. Like usual gear shifting, both of the aforementioned features naturally require the use of clutch to be properly selected. However, while the central differential can usually be locked while in motion, the transfer case cannot and requires a complete stop. The original Niva has a maximum speed of {{convert|81|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Thompson, p.187"/>

[[Coil spring]]s are located at each of the four wheels, and the [[suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] is independent in front, whereas the rear axle is a five-link live-type, with ratios between 3.90 and 4.30 depending on the model and market. Ground clearance is {{convert|235|mm|in|abbr=on}}, and go as far as {{convert|510|mm|in|abbr=on}} deep in water.

The brakes are [[Servomechanism|servo]]-assisted dual-circuit style and the [[clutch]] is [[hydraulic]]. The turning circle is 36.25&nbsp;ft. Cargo space is {{convert|0.48|m3|ft3|abbr=on}}, or {{convert|1.33|m3|ft3|abbr=on}} with the rear seats folded down and, like the classic Zhiguli, the front seats can be set up to make two [[berth (sleeping)|berths]]. A spare tire can be stored in the engine bay under the bonnet.
[[File:Lada Niva 5 Door Wagon.jpg|thumb|left|Five-door [[station wagon]] (VAZ-2131) in Cuba]]
Additional equipment for the basic model was similar to other [[Lada]] and [[Eastern Bloc]] cars of the period; it included headlight wipers, a rear fog lamp, a right external mirror (for domestic units until the end of the 1980s), rear seat belts, a rear window wiper, a rear window heater, and a radio set. On the Niva 1.7 or VAZ-21213 from 1994, all of the above features except headlight wipers and the rear fog lamp (which were discontinued) became default and [[automobile air conditioning|air conditioning]], an [[antilock braking system]], and a [[hydraulics|hydraulic]] [[servomotor]] for the [[steering column]] were made optional, although they became standard equipment on the newest models.

Foreign (usually Western) local Lada importers often offered their own additional equipment before buying the car, such as front and rear [[bullbar|bull bars]] and [[anti-roll bar|roll bars]], side [[rocker panel|rocker rails]], roof rails, a [[winch]], fender plastics, additional headlights for front bumper and for roof rails, and aftermarket aluminium rims, which can be often seen mounted on many Nivas.[[File:Lada niva T3 rally mims.JPG|thumb|Lada Niva T3 Rally]]

The existing model was slightly restyled during first half of the 1980s when VAZ discontinued the VAZ-2103 (which had slowly been replaced by the VAZ-2106 since 1975). Due to high prices and production complexity, some of the [[chrome plating|chrome-plated]] elements disappeared in later models, such as the chrome-plated [[Grille (car)|mask]] and [[rocker panel]] edges. Other elements were changed, such as the side mirrors, which became black metallic. The background of the front Lada badge was changed from red to white (and later black on the new model) on all models. The side rear [[retroreflector]]s (or turn signals on some models, depending on market) were replaced by Lada (left) and Niva (right) labels, and the rear [[mudflap]]s received the brand logo. For easier access to certain areas of the engine compartment, the window washer reservoir was moved from the left to the right section of the compartment (right in front of the battery). The interior was only minimally changed, along with some minor changes to the [[dashboard|instrument panel]] and choke knob.

Pre-1985 models are visually recognized by the aforementioned details, and are rare today (almost nonexistent in a well-preserved condition), so they are highly valued by various collectors of [[classic car]]s. A mint-condition 1980 unit in Russia reached a price of five million [[Russian ruble|RUB]] and ultimately sold for 3,2 million in 2016<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-02-01|title=Капсула времени: ВАЗ-2121 "Нива" 1980–го года с пробегом 200 км — DRIVE2|url=https://www.drive2.ru/b/2733670/|access-date=2021-10-11|website=www.drive2.ru|language=ru}}</ref> (approximately €38,570 or $44,570), which remains the most expensive Niva ever sold.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}

The VAZ-2121 Niva or Lada Niva 1600 was in production until 1993 (it existed in parallel production with the new model until the end of 1993) when the newer and more powerful four-cylinder petrol engine was introduced, replacing the previously used VAZ-2106 engine. The standard [[Weber carburetor]] was replaced by a single-point [[fuel injection]] initially supplied by General Motors on the 21214/1.7i model, and an improved [[Solex Carburetor|Solex]] carburetor on the 21213/1.7 model. The transmission was changed from four to five speeds, [[distributor|mechanical ignition]] was replaced, and the electronics and [[suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] received some relatively minor changes. The [[exhaust system]] was also slightly redesigned, and on newer models, the [[drive shaft]]s received [[homokinetic joint]]s.

On the exterior, the rear section of the body was redesigned with the tailgate extended and license plate on it. These changes prompted new vertical taillights that replaced the former VAZ-2106 horizontal ones and the [[VAZ-2102]] chromed tailgate knob, which was replaced by a simple plastic handle. On the newest models, the old hand-adjustable, square black-metallic (previously chrome-plated) side mirrors, which originated from the VAZ-2103 were replaced with larger plastic ones that could be automatically adjusted.. The previous front Lada badge was replaced with the larger [[ellipsoid]] design. The Fiat 125 chrome-plated doorknobs are still present, though they are plastic on the newest models. Although the rest of the exterior has remained generally unchanged (except for the Lada 4×4 Urban and Bronto), the interior was almost completely redesigned and shares only a few interchangeable parts with the previous one: the archaic partially chrome-plated VAZ-2106 steering wheel was replaced with the more modern and thick one from the [[Lada Riva|VAZ-2107]] and later, even newer models, as well as its VAZ-2103/2106 instruments, which were replaced with the dashboard from the [[Lada Samara|VAZ-21099]]. The black artificial leather seats that originated from the VAZ-2106 were replaced by higher, more modern ones from the VAZ-2108, with the front surface made of polyester, while the rear seat was improved for easier folding. The Fiat 124 swiveling windows from the side doors disappeared and were replaced with air conditioning, which was installed with the [[Anti-block system|ABS]] and servomotor for the [[steering column]] as additional equipment on request, while the headlight wipers and rear fog lamp disappeared. It received completely new front and door panels (with interior door knobs relocated above the hand rests instead of under like on previous generation), various plastics and even new floor mats. The [[crank (mechanism)|hand openings]] for the side-door windows was replaced with an [[power window|automatic]] opening on the newest models (and on the Lada 4×4 Urban) starting from 2014. Multipoint fuel injection designed by [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] has been used since 2004, replacing the previously mentioned single-point injection from General Motors.