In 1994, the design of the VAZ-2121 Niva underwent some changes. It would seem that the updated VAZ-21213 car should be better than the pre-styling model in everything. But judging by the reviews of the owners, this is not entirely true. Let's try to highlight the main changes in the design of the updated model, based not only on official information, but also on the comments of the owners. I’ll make a reservation right away that the information is likely to be incomplete and, possibly, somewhat inaccurate and even controversial. Waiting for additions and corrections in the comments.

The main innovations of the 213th Niva

Appearance of the "old" and updated Niva

According to some sources, the updated VAZ-21213 was originally given or planned to be given the name "" (according to other sources - "Taiga"), but it did not take root. As a result, the small-scale elongated three-door VAZ-2129, the predecessor of the long Niva 2131, was named Kedro. But this is not so important, the technical features of the updated Niva 21213 are much more interesting compared to the VAZ-2121. So, let's begin:

1. The back of the body. Extended 3rd door, vertical lights. It became easier to load the trunk due to the lower height, but the rigidity of the body decreased from this (according to some "nivavods")
2. Vents on the side doors. After restyling, they disappeared, although they could still be found on the first 213 Niva.
3. Engine. 1.6 liters on the VAZ 2121 and 1.7 liters on the VAZ 21213. Both are carbureted (On 21214 - injection). The difference in power is less than 5 hp. According to official figures, the 213 has higher bottom pull and lower fuel consumption. According to some Niv owners, the opposite is true. At the same time, the thermal load on the engine increased. with an increased volume, the cylinder block has not undergone major changes. The risk of overheating on the 213 engine is higher.
4. checkpoint. 4-speed on the VAZ-2121 and 5-speed on the VAZ-21213. They differ in gear ratios. According to most Niv owners, a 4-speed gearbox is more reliable.
5. Changed gear ratios of the main pairs.
6. intermediate shaft between the gearbox and transfer case on the new model with SHRUS, which reduced vibration, as noted by many owners.
7. Changes in brake system.
8. Salon. New dashboard, steering wheel and high back seats. Panel more "rattling" compared to the old one. Steering wheel thicker. seats convenient. However, the old low seats could be lowered flush with the rear sofa, which made it possible to comfortably spend the night in the car. About interior heating opinions differ: some say that it is better in an old car, others say that it is better in a new one.

Salon Niva before and after restyling

Separately, we highlight the differences that are based only on rumors:

1. Thickness of body parts and metal quality. On pre-styling cars, higher quality steel with better corrosion resistance was used. Body parts, in particular spars were noticeably thicker. The overall strength of the body was higher.
2. Bumper durability. According to some observations, if you raise the car with a rack jack (hijack) in the middle of the bumper, then the new one may not withstand it. Old bumpers are stronger.
3. Quality paintwork. Again, not in favor of the updated SUV.

It seems to be everything, although I am sure that among the “nivavods” there are still many rumors regarding the differences between the old and updated cars.

Output

It is difficult to say unequivocally which Niva is better: the 21st or the 213th. Especially this question worries those who want to buy a used car. Many note that buying an old Niva is like a lottery; both a great car and outright trash can get into it. And this applies to both pre-styling and updated models. Here you need to carefully look at the purchase. Write in the comments what you think about the differences between the 21st and 213th Niva.

Model: VAZ 2105
Body type: Sedan
The rear-wheel drive five-seater four-door sedan VAZ 2105 was developed on the basis of the legendary "penny" and has been produced by the Volga Automobile Plant since 1980.

Model: VAZ 2107
Body type: Sedan
The representative of the Zhiguli family, the rear-wheel drive four-door sedan VAZ 2107 (export and modern name LADA 2107) has been produced at the Volga Automobile Plant since 1982.

Model: VAZ 2110
Body type: Sedan
For the first time on Lada 2110, an electronic unit of the car control system was installed. This significantly affected its running and operational characteristics.

Model: VAZ 2115
Body type: Sedan
VAZ 2115 is a restyling of the VAZ-21099 model (produced by the Volga Automobile Plant in 1990 - 2004) and is the ancestor of the second generation Samar.

Model: Lada Kalina Sedan
Body type: Sedan
Lada Kalina (LADA Kalina) is a family of Russian cars. Produced by JSC AvtoVAZ since November 18, 2004. Since 2004, the manufacturing plant has been using the brand name of the car.

Model: Lada Priora Sedan
Body type: Sedan
In 2007, sales of the firstborn of the Priora family with a sedan body began. Its advantages include a powerful 98-horsepower engine that meets the requirements of the Euro-3 standard.

Model: VAZ 2113
Body type: Hatchback
VAZ 2113 can accommodate five passengers, has three doors. The predecessor of Samara 2 is the LADA 2108 car, in which the designers changed the shape of the body to improve the aerodynamic qualities.

Model: VAZ 2114
Body type: Hatchback
The VAZ-2114 was developed on the basis of the VAZ-21093 and is a five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive. Equipped with new headlights, a reshaped hood, an interesting radiator lining and modern bumpers.

Model: Lada Kalina hatchback
Body type: Hatchback
The five-door hatchback Lada Kalina (1119) belongs to class B and is a comfortable and reliable car for family trips, both in urban areas and outside the city.

Model: Lada Kalina Sport
Body type: Hatchback
When developing the car, the best technical achievements of the Lada Kalina hatchback were used. It differs from the hatchback Lada Kalina in a more informative steering mechanism with a gear ratio of 3.1.

Model: Lada Priora Coupe
Body type: Hatchback
The release of the new model VAZ 21728 Coupe began on January 18, 2010 at the pilot production of AvtoVAZ. In fact, it is a three-door hatchback, developed on the basis of the VAZ 2172.

Model: Lada Priora hatchback
Body type: Hatchback
Lada Priora hatchback is a deep restyling of its predecessor - VAZ-2112. During its development, the mistakes of designers made during the creation of the "tenth" family were eliminated.

Model: VAZ 2104
Body type: Wagon
Serial production of the VAZ-2104 car was launched at the Volga Automobile Plant in 1984. In parallel with the new model, until 1985, a VAZ-2102 car of a similar class was produced.

Model: VAZ 2111
Body type: Wagon
Convenient and designed for the whole family, the VAZ 2111 car first rolled off the assembly line in 1998. It has increased interior comfort and is distinguished by a pleasant smooth ride.

Model: Lada Kalina Universal
Body type: Wagon
The Lada Kalina station wagon has been produced since 2007. Lada Kalina station wagon has a modern elegant body, upgraded lighting and a comfortable interior.

Model: Lada Priora Wagon
Body type: Wagon
The Lada Priora station wagon rolled off the AvtoVAZ assembly line at the end of May 2009. Thanks to modern production technologies, it is becoming a very popular brand in Russia.

Model: VAZ 2121 Niva
Body type: SUV
The first batch of the popular four-seater all-wheel drive SUV "Niva" (VAZ 2121) was assembled in 1976, mass production began in 1977 and was finally adjusted in 1980.

Model: VAZ 2131 Niva
Body type: SUV
The five-door crossover VAZ 2131 Niva has been produced in small batches at the AVTOVAZ Pilot Plant since 1995. When designing, the designers started from the VAZ-21213 all-terrain vehicle.

Striking with its appearance in 1977, the Niva never ceases to amaze today - now with its longevity. For the bulk of passenger cars, twenty-two years is the retirement age, or rather, far beyond the retirement age. One might say, deadly: they simply do not live that long! Where, one wonders, are all those foreign counterparts-competitors with whom Niva, shoulder to shoulder in the late seventies, introduced a new type of SUV into the mind of the buyer - a car that harmoniously combines high cross-country ability with the comfort of a passenger car? Nobody left! Some of them can't even be found in a landfill. What about Niva? It is absolutely not like the old wrecked woman standing with one foot in the grave and is still doing well, remaining one of the best-selling off-road cars in the world.

Young shoots have already sprouted at AvtoVAZ - a whole family of second-generation Nivs, and the "two hundred and thirteenth" does not even think of retiring. Offers to shelter a well-deserved SUV in case it is removed from the assembly line are heard from all sides. Even some foreign enterprises are ready to organize its assembly production.

Undoubtedly, the secret of this car's many years of success lies in its unique, timeless design. After all, it cannot be assessed, and one should not attach importance to the fact that Niva, due to the publication of a successor, has already received the offensive prefix “old”, because for it old age is a relative concept.

The Niva salon, like its appearance, has been constant for a long time, but recently it has been offered in several versions, differing in the quality of the finish. Particularly chic are the interior options made by tuning companies. The same firms got the hang of expanding the fenders and sills of the car with plastic extensions, as well as equipping it with all kinds of kengurins. In addition, through their efforts, the “spare wheel” often migrates from under the hood to a bracket in the rear of the body.

Although the Niva is declared a five-seater car, the three of us are clearly cramped in the back seat, because this very seat is located just between the wheel arches. The luggage compartment is small, and for more than twenty years the base model has only been restyled once: in 1994, the tailgate opening was lowered lower, and the taillights took a vertical position. And it's all! And not because there were no changes that the plant could not or did not want to do it - the car did not need it. The margin of safety of its design for the transport of really large cargo will have to recline the second row seat. The driver's seat and the front passenger seat are adjustable in length and inclination of the backs.

Design. It is not unusual today that the body of an off-road passenger car is made frameless, and at the time of the birth of the Niva, such an option for an SUV was considered almost unrealistic. However, she received exactly a load-bearing body: a three-door, with small front and rear overhangs, with a short wheelbase, which somewhat reduced the smoothness of the ride, but contributed to the achievement of high cross-country ability. From the very beginning of production, the car was equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, and in 1994 its place was taken by an engine with a working volume increased to 1.7 liters, which added an additional 6 hp to it. Recently, some cars have been equipped with a modification of this engine with a fuel injection system directly into the cylinders (VAZ-21214) or a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with 83 hp.

The VAZ-21213 transmission is not distinguished by complex technical solutions. A fully synchronized five-speed manual gearbox is aggregated with the engine, followed by a two-stage two-lever transfer case with a lockable center differential. "Razdatka" is not combined with the gearbox into a single unit, like many foreign counterparts, but is connected to it by a short cardan shaft. The drive of all four wheels is non-switchable. Cross-axle differentials - without locking mechanisms. In the design of both the front independent and the rear dependent suspension, only springs are used as elastic elements. To improve the stability of the vehicle, a stabilizer bar is installed between its steerable wheels. These wheels are equipped with disc brakes, with automatic adjustment of the gaps between the disc and pads, and drum brakes are used on the rear wheels, which are more resistant to dirt and dust.

As the production of components and assemblies for the new, “twenty-third” Niva model is mastered, they will also be completed with the “two hundred and thirteenth” model. So its design over the next few years may undergo significant changes.

Specifications

Production start year…..1994 (BA3-2121 - 1977)
Overall dimensions, mm…..3740x1680x1640
Wheelbase, mm…..2200
Front/rear wheel track, mm…..1430/1400
Ground clearance, mm…..220
Turning radius, m…..5.8
Tires…..175/80 R16 or 175-406
Curb weight, kg…..1210
Gross weight, kg…..1610
Number of seats…..4-5
Fuel tank volume, l…..42
Engine…..VAZ-21213; R4 BK
working volume, cm3…..1690
power, hp/min-’…..79/5200
torque, Nm/min1…..127/3400
Number of gearbox steps…..5/1×2
Maximum speed, km/h…..135
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, s…..21
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
at 90 km/h…..8.5
at 120 km/h…..11.2
city ​​mode…..11.0

Engine VAZ 21213 / 21214 Niva

Characteristics of the Niva engine

Years of release - (1994 - our time)
Cylinder block material - cast iron
Power system - carburetor (21213) / injector (21214)
Type - in-line
Number of cylinders - 4
Valves per cylinder - 2
Piston stroke - 80mm
Cylinder diameter - 82mm
Compression ratio - 9.4
Engine capacity Niva 21213 - 1690 cc.
Engine power Niva 21213 - 81 hp /5200 rpm
Torque - 125Nm / 3000 rpm
Fuel - AI93
Fuel consumption — city 11.5l. | track 8.3 l. | mixed 10.5 l/100 km
Oil consumption - 700 gr per 1000 km
Niva engine weight - 117 kg
Overall dimensions of the Niva 21213 engine (LxWxH), mm —
Engine oil Niva 21213:
5W-30
5W-40
10W-40
15W-40
How much oil is in the Niva 21213/21214 engine: 3.75 liters.
When replacing, pour about 3.5 liters.

Niva engine resource:
1. According to the plant - 80 thousand km
2. In practice - up to 150 thousand km

TUNING
Potential - 200 HP
Without loss of resource - 90 hp

The engine was installed on:
VAZ 21213 "Niva"
VAZ 21214 "Niva"
Chevrolet Niva

Faults and engine repair VAZ 21213 / 21214 Niva

Engine VAZ 21213 1.7 liters. carbureted/injektorsion (21214) in-line 4-cylinder with an overhead camshaft, timing Niva has a chain drive. On the basis of the 214 engine, the VAZ 2123 engine for the Chevy Niva is produced, the differences in adapting the block for installation in the engine compartment of the shniva and attaching attachments are technically almost identical.
The main differences between the VAZ 21213 engine from 2106 are the cylinder diameter - 82 mm., The cylinder head, the Niva 21213 engine block from 2106 has a lower height. Of the advantages of the 213 motor, it is worth noting the presence of a chain tensioner (no need to tighten) and hydraulic compensators (adjust valvesno need). Cons of the Niva engine - noisy, eats oil, prone to overheating to vibrations, low resource.
The motor has all the problems of the classic series, the 21213 Niva engine is also warming up, troiting, knocking, etc., what are the problems, for each case, are described in detail, in the Troubleshooting section.

Tuning engine Niva 21213 and 21214

Chip tuning engine Chevrolet Niva or 21214

It makes no sense to write about this for a long time, because the Niva chip is useless, the atmospheric engine cannot be stirred up with a chip, and all the rave reviews are nothing more than an attempt to justify a waste of money, let's move on.

How to cheaply increase engine power VAZ 21213

The question on the agenda: how to increase the power of the cornfield engine without any special tricks? The first stage is to increase the piston stroke to 84 mm using the crankshaft from VAZ 2130, 82mm pistons with a piston pin offset of 2mm and we already have 1.8l. The second stage is to bore the cylinders under the 84 mm piston, thus we assemble the 1.9 engine on the field. To fully boost the VAZ 21213 engine, you need to add a more efficient carburetor, bore the cylinder head channels (as described in), the intake diameter is 33 mm and the exhaust is 31 mm, it is advisable to use light connecting rods, as a result we get about 100 hp.
The third stage - we build a 2 liter engine. We buy on the market a tuning crankshaft with a stroke of 88mm and 84mm pistons with a pin offset of 4mm. A full refinement of the VAZ 21213 engine will be completed after installing the Nuzhdin camshaft (or equivalent) with a lift of 11.2, a light flywheel, light connecting rods and a modified carburetor, all this will give about 110 hp in total.

Niva engine boring options

- piston of standard diameter, increased stroke
1.8 l. 82x84 ~85 hp
Maximum torque ~135Nm at 3000rpm

1.9 l. 84x84
- larger diameter piston, increased stroke
2.0 l. 84х88

16 valve engine for Niva

From time to time, the question of installing the 2112 motor in the field is raised on the forums, this is a rather complicated and pointless task, due to the fact that 16V motors love speed and are not well adapted for an SUV. If you want speed, sell your car and buy Priora. The Niva is not suitable for high speeds and its tuning should be aimed primarily at increasing traction on the bottoms.

Turbine on Niva

Pros and cons described in the "Turbo Classic" section.

Compressor for Niva

We use kits based on the PK-23-1 supercharger or analogues with a pressure of 0.5 bar, nozzles from the 406th Volgovsky engine, the piston remains factory, the output is more than 100hp. The resource will be reduced, but not critical.
It is not recommended to install more efficient superchargers, the factory piston one will not stand up and the motor will require significant costly changes.

It is also known that in addition to assembled cars, car kits were supplied to some countries for assembly on site. This is confirmed in order No. 19 dated January 28, 1981 of the General Director of the AvtoVAZ association A.A. Zhitkov “On the preparation of production and the supply of VAZ-21212 vehicles in disassembled form”.

VAZ - 21213 "Taiga"

In 1989, work began on the modernization of the field.

Since 1991, the plant began to produce a transitional model VAZ-21219 which was equipped with an engine and chassis from the VAZ-21213, and the body with the interior corresponded to the model 2121.

Production of 21213 did not begin until January 1994.

Distinctive features of the new model:

• New engine;
• Other rear optics;
• New tailgate;
• The interior has changed;

At 21213, a 1.7-liter engine, 81.8 hp, a torque of 125 N m was installed. Solex carburetor and a non-contact ignition system.

It was assumed that the front of the body would also change in the new model, in particular, the dimensions and turn signals should have been located on the sides, next to the headlights, but for certain reasons, the alteration did not take place.

The name “Taiga” assigned to the car did not take root inside the country, and was later used to designate it in some markets abroad.

Vaz - 21214 (Lada 4×4)

Modification of model 21213. Produced since 2000 for export and since 2002 for the domestic market.

A distinctive feature is the engine with central fuel injection.

Modification of the VAZ-21214-20 with an electronic engine control system, the system was manufactured in Russia.

Modification 212146 - for countries with left-hand traffic, with a right-hand drive.

Vaz - 21215

Machines with a diesel engine. For the first time, the task of developing a diesel field was set by the Minister of the Automobile Industry of the USSR V.N. Polyakov in 1979.

Vaz 21216

The modification corresponds to model 21213, but with a right-hand drive.

Vaz 21217

The modification corresponds to 21213, and the engine of modification 21211 is low-power - 21011. It was made for export.

VAZ-21219

Transitional model with body 2121, and engine and interior from 21213.

VAZ-2121B

1992-1993 Limited edition.

Armored modification. Developed by the scientific and technical center of the AvtoVAZ concern together with the commercial social development bank Lada-Bank.

Designed for the transportation of valuable goods, a collection vehicle.

The result of the shooting test confirmed the protection of the cabin from the impact of a steel bullet of a Kalashnikov assault rifle of 7.62 mm caliber, and the bottom from grenade fragments.

Foamed polymers were tested for the first time for anti-fragmentation armor.

The engine compartment is equipped with a fire extinguishing system.

This car became the beginning of the BRONTO Force family of armored vehicles.

VAZ-2121F

The commercial version with a van-type body was made on the basis of the VAZ-2121 and 21213 models.

The modification was different in that the rear side windows were replaced with metal panels, the rear seat was missing. Behind the front seats there is a metal panel and tubular protection to prevent cargo from shifting while driving.

It is known that the 2121F was manufactured in small batches at the OPP AvtoVAZ and was only exported to non-CIS countries, where local legislation provided for tax incentives for such commercial vehicles.

In addition, some foreign dealers made their own vans. The applicability of the model name 2121F to them is doubtful.

For example, the Czech company CS AUTO LADA produced vans called Niva Praktik.

Moreover, the company produced a modification of the Niva Praktik Special with a rear overhang increased by 365mm and a reinforced plastic insert in the roof. The rear shock absorbers and springs are reinforced.

VAZ-212180 "Fora"

Extended by 300 mm version of the model 21213. It features larger doorways and a raised rear part of the roof, which is made of durable plastic. Rear sofa type 2108, triple.

Produced by PSA BRONTO.

As standard, it was equipped with a fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment, as in the Force armored car.

The following were installed as options:

• Power steering
• Air conditioner
• Plastic "kenguryatnik"

It is interesting that due to the fact that wheels of increased diameter were installed on the Fora (Disks manufactured by Slick and Nokian HRC tires), the spare wheel did not fit in a standard place under the hood, so it is installed on a special mount on the rear door .

VAZ-212182 "Force"

Armored car based on 21218.

Equipped as standard with:

• Automatic fire extinguishing system under the hood;
• Explosion and fireproof gas tank;
• Additional battery;
• Remote lock of the right door with a button for the driver;
• air conditioner;
• Reinforced suspension because due to the armor, the car became 430 kg heavier. Springs with increased coil thickness and reinforced shock absorbers were installed.

As additional equipment, the car could be equipped with an armored bottom, light beacons, etc.

VAZ-212183 "Landole"

It was produced only under the order of the PSA BRONTO company based on model 21218.

A distinctive feature is an open body without doors and the rear of the roof, the tailgate leans back.

A tubular frame is provided to strengthen the body.

The standard package includes:

• Front and rear seats VAZ-2108 with removable covers;
• Full set of seat belts;
• heater;
• Hinged plastic capes on the body;
• Spare wheel mounting bracket on the rear side;

As options:

• Wheels with alloy wheels made of aluminum alloy;
• Grille-chipper on the front bumper;
• Power steering;
• Exterior mirrors with electric drive.

Cars were produced with 1.7 and 1.8 liter carburetor engines.

VAZ-2129 "Kedr"

A version of the Niva extended by 500 mm, built on the basis of 21213. The body was lengthened due to the central insert, one more side glass appeared.

Initially, it was conceived as a carrier of units for the promising VAZ-2120 minivan, but it was produced in small batches. Later, the model served as the basis for the creation of the five-door Niva 2131.

VAZ 2129 "Utiliter"

The commercial modification of the "Cedar" was distinguished by barred rear side windows, there was no rear seat.

The car was made to order at OPP AvtoVAZ.

VAZ-2130 "Kedr"

modification of the VAZ-2129 with a modified interior layout. Triple rear seat type 2108 moved forward. According to unverified information, the model index was subsequently changed to 2129-01. Served as the basis for the creation of the five-door model 2131.

VAZ-2131 (Lada 4×4 5-door)

1995 - present time.

Five-door, extended by 500 mm version of the Niva. Created on the basis of 2129 and units 21213, 21214.

The people received the nickname "crocodile", "sausage", etc. because of his awkward appearance.

VAZ-2131 SP

Ambulance. The base increased by 300 mm due to the rear overhang and the high roof made it possible to transport the patient on a stretcher and two doctors with equipment.

Subsequently, with minor changes, modifications were produced with the designation 2131-05 and 2131-45.

2131 joint venture

VAZ-2131-02

Like the 2131, it featured a high roof and an increased rear overhang, but was a civilian vehicle, not an ambulance. There were 2 additional seats in the trunk, so 7 seats were organized.

Subsequently, with minor changes, modifications were produced with the designation 2131-22 and 2131-42.

VAZ-2121 sugar-1

The first extended version, created in 1991 as a prototype by enthusiastic designers at the VAZ plant.

A total of 6 cars were made. Some of the cars were registered as homemade by private individuals, the rest were bought out by the Lada Bank, and were registered under their own name "Sahara" and used for official purposes.

In the future, using the developments on this machine, other elongated versions were created, such as 2129 "Cedar" and 21218 "Bronto".

VAZ-2328

An experimental pickup truck with a two-seater cab built on the basis of the 2131 model. It is known that cars were assembled with a short and long overhang.

It was supposed to start production in parallel with the 2329 model, but only the pilot batch was released. there was not much demand.

You can find references that the name of the model is "Wolf", but the model did not receive an official name, just at one of the exhibitions on only one car a wolf was depicted.

VAZ-2329, Niva Pickup, LADA 4×4 Pickup

A pickup truck with a five-seat cab built on the basis of the 2131 model. The rear overhang is increased by 300 mm. The rear seat folds down to form a flat cargo area.

The carrying capacity was 650 kg.

There are two kits:

VAZ-2329-01 basic

VAZ-2329-04 basic, equipped with an awning for the cargo area.

As options:

• plastic superstructure for the cargo area;
• additional guards for the front;
• safety pads on the sidewalls;
• rear window protection;
• fog lights;
• air conditioner;
• and etc.

Also, under the order, instead of the engine 21213, the engine 2130 with a volume of 1.8 liters and a power of 84 liters was installed. from.

You can find references that the name of the model is "Bear". According to one version, the first cars had their own name, according to another version, model 2329 did not have its own name.

It was produced at OOP AvtoVAZ, and then production was transferred to a subsidiary of Motorika LLC.

BRONTO-1922 "March-1"

snow and swamp vehicle ("pneumatic") on ultra-low pressure wheels on VAZ-21213 units. Since 1997 JSC "PSA BRONTO" has been producing in small batches.

FVK-2302 "Bizon"

A pickup truck with a frame chassis, a double cab and a wooden platform, was created on the basis of the Niva units.

It was produced in small batches by the Togliatti company "Eastern Ring" in 1993-1995. Reinforced rear suspension "Bizon" was spring.

The pickup was not in demand and did not receive mass distribution.