VAZ-2131 - this car appeared by chance, but is still produced

VAZ-2121 "Niva" is a true legend of the Russian car industry. It is not for nothing that the model is now called so - LADA Niva Legend. This simple and uncomplicated car is relatively cheap for buyers. And if you compare it with foreign-made "classmates", it turns out that Niva simply has no competitors in this price category.


Despite the outdated design, the Russian SUV is bought not only in our country, but also abroad. They value the VAZ-2121 for its simplicity, unpretentiousness and high cross-country ability.

But the main disadvantage of the Niva, which the owners often complain about, is its small size. In fact, you usually have to carry ammunition in the back seat, because the trunk of an SUV is small. Yes, and passengers in the second row feel deeply unhappy during long trips.


For such cases, the AvtoVAZ range has a special modification of the Niva - VAZ-2131. This is a fairly spacious five-door car that has retained the patency of the original, increasing the living space of the cabin by about half a meter.


We will tell the story of the long Niva today. The most interesting thing about it is that the model did not plan to appear at all. It's just the way things were. Intrigued? Then let's go!

random appearance

In the second half of the 1980s, it became clear that the VAZ-2121 Niva was hopelessly outdated. It's not about the technical component, it's just that front-wheel-drive Ladas appeared in the USSR, favorably shading the classics both from the outside and from the inside.


Soviet buyers dismantled all the cars on sale, including the Zaporozhets, but AvtoVAZ preferred to work for export. And there the people by that time began to live richer. Accordingly, cars were bought not only on the basis of the cheaper principle. They also looked at design, and in this respect AvtoVAZ models were inferior to foreign competitors.

Even the unique "Niva" began to be bought much less frequently. Therefore, in the second half of the 80s, they decided to restyle it, and it is better to release a new generation model altogether. Here are just a few problems:

✅ "Top" did not want to give money for development
✅ “Perestroika” began in the country, enterprises switched to self-sufficiency
✅ Many did not see the point in alterations at all - in the USSR they will buy it anyway, just give it an opportunity

And then the idea arises to make a minivan on the Niva chassis, which was later launched into small-scale production under the symbol VAZ-2120 Nadezhda.


Before starting work on a new car, it was decided to test the idea for suitability. To do this, they took two classic "Niva", lengthened their chassis and loaded them, according to the weight of the proposed minivan.

The tests were successful, but ordinary drivers paid attention to cars. It was already Russia, not the USSR - in 1992, so AvtoVAZ tried to make money by any means. Seeing that there would clearly be demand for the strange Niva, it was decided to produce just such a model.

VAZ-2129

The first long "Niva" appeared in 1992. They were made in small batches, using the “semi-handicraft” method. More precisely, two parts were taken from the body of the VAZ-2121, and an insert 500 mm long was welded between them.


The main disadvantages of the VAZ-2129:

✅ Lack of rear doors with short front
✅ Low body rigidity
✅ Problems with boarding and disembarking on the second row

But once inside the car, passengers were greeted by conditional space. There were more places in the VAZ-2129 than in the Zhiguli of any model.
By the way, the first batches of Kedrov, which is how the long Niva was unofficially called, had an uncomfortable back seat. Then it was replaced by the "eight".

VAZ-2131

The shortcomings of the long Niva were seen by both designers and customers. But they still bought the car - for lovers of hunting and fishing, this option is preferable to the "short man".


In any case, a five-door version of the SUV was needed. It would have been created immediately, but there was not enough money to develop a new model.
The release of the VAZ-2131 began at the end of 1993. They were literally piece pieces. Large-scale, albeit small-scale, full-fledged production started only a couple of years later.

A legend immediately appeared among the people that the VAZ-2131 was unsuitable for off-road operation. Say, it is lengthened by the usual welding of the insert, due to which the rigidity of the body is lost. It is worth going to conquer off-road - the car will fall apart at the first serious hanging.

In fact, the engineers finalized the design of the VAZ-2131 by adding a number of elements such as reinforcements of the spars and reinforcing linings in the area of ​​​​the gearbox and transfer case. The five-door "Niva" has a power steering. "Shorty" received the same much later.

From time to time, engineers tried to equip the VAZ-2131 with a more powerful engine. Unfortunately, there was nothing suitable in the AvtoVAZ lineup. But it was for the long Niva that they developed a power unit with an index of 2130. Only modifications with this engine are rare. Just in case - they develop 84 hp. With. and are called VAZ-21312.


There was even an attempt to equip an SUV with a full-fledged diesel engine in 1996. The production of 1,5-1,8-liter engines was going to be established at the Barnaultransmash plant. AvtoVAZ itself developed a line of diesel power units. They planned to put them not only on the long Niva, but also on the VAZ-2104 station wagons.


The only major refinement of the gasoline engine of the long Niva was the appearance of fuel injection. The injector replaced the carburetor, making the power unit more economical.

Versions VAZ-2131

AvtoVAZ repeatedly tried to raise sales of the long Niva. The model was often acquired by state-owned enterprises. This gave the manufacturer the idea to release special modifications that would be purchased in large quantities.


The main hope was for medicine. So there were two versions of "nurses" - for the military and civilians. Unfortunately, none of the relevant ministries became interested in such Niva.

There were also specialized VAZ-2131 for collectors. The bankers did not like them - these cars were not suitable for them in size.
It is worth remembering about unique developments. For example, in 2001, a prototype with a hydrogen engine was created on the VAZ-2131 chassis.

The car was front wheel drive. They also released an electric van based on the long-suffering Niva. Unfortunately, these cars were created in single copies.

Exploitation

Like the VAZ-2121, the long Niva has a high cross-country ability. Of course, it’s easier to put this car on the “belly”, but this only happens if you deliberately climb into the mud. Jeepers use short VAZ-2121 for their rides.


In terms of comfort, the VAZ-2131 is no different from the three-door model. Spartans and other ascetics will appreciate, the rest will suffer.
The long "Niva" has increased turning radius. But on the track due to the increased base, the car is a little more comfortable.

VAZ-2131 is still in demand in Russia and other countries, and not only in the post-Soviet space. Therefore, AvtoVAZ is now working to return the model to mass production.