The Lada / VAZ-2105, 2104 and 2107, collectively marketed as Lada Riva for right-hand drive models (in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand), the Lada Nova in Germany, and by multiple other names and markets,[16] are a series of compact sedans of the Zhiguli line-up (Fiat 124-based cars), built by Russian car manufacturer AvtoVAZ (formerly VAZ). Introduced in 1979 in the Soviet Union, and progressively introduced to Western European and global markets from the early 1980s, under the Lada brand, they were sold as saloons (2105 and 2107), and station wagon (2104) versions.
Today they are generally referred to as the Lada Classic series, being derived from the original Fiat 124 platform which has been the now-iconic mainstay of the AvtoVAZ lineup since the company's foundation in the late 1960s. Russian production at the company's main plant at Tolyatti ended in September 2012.
Along with the other Fiat 124 derivatives, it is the world's third best selling, single generation automobile platform, after the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Model T,[17][18] and one of the longest production run platforms alongside the Volkswagen Beetle, the Hindustan Ambassador, the Volkswagen (Type 2) Bus,[19] the Toyota 70 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
History
Although introduced in 1979 and first produced in quantity in 1980,[20] the Riva's origins are older: it is a modernised and restyled version of the original Lada type VAZ-2101 Zhiguli saloon,[20] which was introduced in 1970 as a modified license copy of the Fiat 124. VAZ began development work on the facelift version as early as 1975, and the first prototypes were built in 1977, although it would not be until 1983 – three years after its release in the Soviet Union – that the car was made available in Western European markets, and like its predecessors - aimed squarely at the budget end of the market.
The Riva itself is officially designated – and known in the home market – as VAZ-2105 (base saloon [sedan]), VAZ-2104 (station wagon), and VAZ-2107 (deluxe saloon identified by the large chromed grille). In Russia, VAZ-2105, VAZ-2104, and VAZ-2107 are considered to be different cars rather than variants but nonetheless all of them are part of a single "Klassika" ("Classic") family along with older models such as the VAZ-2101. They are popularly known as Pyatyorka ("the five"), Chetvyorka ("the four") and Semyorka ("the seven").
Mechanically, the car is virtually identical to the first-generation VAZ-2101, featuring the Fiat-derived manual transmissions, coil spring suspension all round, and aluminium alloy drum brakes with cast iron brake shoes on the rear wheels. The smaller-engined variant, the 65 hp 1294 cc version (VAZ-2105)
Models
2104
Estate edition
Pickup Edition
- VAZ-2104 – VAZ-2105 engine, a 1.3 L carburetor, 4-speed transmission (CAT), the base model
- VAZ-21041 – engine VAZ-2101, 1.2 L, 4-carburetors. PPC. Not commercially produced.
- VAZ-21042 – engine VAZ-2103, 1.5 L, right hand drive.
- VAZ-21043 – engine VAZ-2103, 1.5 L carburetor with a 4- or 5-speed. CAT, in versions with electrical equipment and interior of the VAZ-2107.
- VAZ-21044 – engine VAZ-2107, 1.7 L, single injection, 5-speed. CAT, export model.
- VAZ-21045 – engine VAZ-2107, 1.8 L, single injection, 5-speed. CAT, export model - did not enter production
- VAZ-21045D – VAZ-341 engine, 1.5 L, diesel, 5-speed. PPC.[32]
- VAZ-21047 – engine VAZ-2103, 1.5 L, carb, 5-speed. CAT, an improved version with the interior of the VAZ-2104/7. Export modifications were equipped with the radiator grille of the VAZ-2107.
Other variants
Model variants included the Riva Signet, Riva 1200, Riva 1300, Riva 1500, and Riva 1600, with trim levels "E" and "L". A Turbo charged model Lada 2107 Turbo was sold in Finland, made by the Finnish Lada importer.
Small numbers of Lada rally cars were built with 150 PS Wankel engines, fitted with a pair of Weber DCOE twin-choke carburettors.[35]
Production at Suzuki Egypt
In Egypt, the Amal Foreign Trade Company and Lada's parent company AvtoVAZ signed a joint venture agreement to assemble Ladas for the North African market in 2000. However, as they did not have their own factory, space was found at a local Suzuki plant in Cairo to assemble the 2107 version of the Riva. As of 2006, production continued at Suzuki until 2015 with an additional model, the 2110, being produced.
Safety
In the early 1980s, when it was put into production, the car complied with UNECE car safety standards and GOST technical standards.[36]
In 2001, the 2107 version of the Riva scored 0 points out of 16 in a frontal crash test conducted by the modern Russian ARCAP safety assessment program, and was awarded zero stars out of four.[37] The reviewers noted that the result of the test was easily predictable and couldn't be positive, as they were dealing with an old car having an outdated construction of the body and designed at a time when safety tests were different from those of 2001.[38]
In 2002 Za Rulyom magazine performed crash tests on two Lada 21053 models, a new car from 2002 and a used one from 1994. The magazine's experts noted that the newer model complied with UNECE car safety standards 12-03 and 33, but the older and used one failed the latter standard. The story also expressed doubt that the 2002 model could meet the stricter safety requirements that would be imposed in October of the same year.[39]
End of production
In the 2010s, the sales of the Lada Classics remained strong in the car's native Russia and some of the former Eastern Bloc nations. However, production of the 2105 ceased at AvtoVAZ's Togliatti plant at the end of 2010 after a 30-year production run and nearly 3,000,000 units, with production of the other variants being fully moved to the IzhAvto plant near Izhevsk.[2]
The 2107 made the transition to the IzhAvto plant in August 2011, thus marking the end of production of the original Fiat 124 derived models at Togliatti after a 41-year production run and over 14 million units.
In September 2012, the history of the sedan model in Russia was over, when the last 2104 came off the IzhAvto assembly lines.[5] The last unit of the Lada Classic series, a 2104 model, was produced by IzhAvto on 17 September 2012.[40] Starting from the same month, production at the Izhevsk factory was replaced with the Lada Granta.[41] However, as of 2014, the 2107 model was still in production in Egypt.[42]
External links
- Lada and Fiat model (Russian)
- Lada Cars reviews, images, infos (English)
References
- Lada Signet Unique-autos.ru, retrieved 25 February 2016^
- The cheapest Russian car was removed from production Autostat, 14 February 2011, retrieved 18 April 2012^
- Lada 2107 Production Ends (April 2012)^