Design, chassis and engine "Chevrolet Niva"

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

New suspension, gearbox, steering, brakes, interior, body design and, of course, a modern Niva-Chevrolet engine - GM knows how to surprise its Russian consumers. This happened for the first time at the beginning of the 2000s and is expected to happen again in 2016, after the start of the expected serial production of the Chevy-2.

History of the creation of the model

At the 1998 Moscow Motor Show, AvtoVAZ management presented a new model of the old Niva. It was assumed that this version would replace the old one, but the concern did not have enough money for mass production. Then it was decided to sell it to the North American corporation General Motors.

By the beginning of 2002, engineers, designers and planners had developed and put into mass production a completely different car, called the Chevrolet Niva. The new model compares favorably with its predecessor, which has not been restyled for 24 years.

Initially it was supposed that the modern version will replace the "old lady", butafter evaluating its preliminary cost, it turned out that the Chevy was almost twice as expensive as its prototype. Despite the fact that many Russians appreciated the domestic Niva-Chevrolet SUV with dignity, the price for it was unattainable for some of them. Thus, AvtoVAZ management decided to keep both models, which, by the way, are still popular today.

Specifications

The modern Niva-Chevrolet engine is adapted to 92-octane gasoline. The presence of four cylinders fully provides the car with traction in any ascents, despite the fact that the declared curb weight is 1410 kg, and a fully loaded Chevy already weighs just under two tons.

Separately, you can highlight the low fuel consumption of the car - 10.4 liters per 100 km in a mixed type (highway - 8.5 liters, city - 13.9 liters). It should be borne in mind that he has a permanent four-wheel drive on all 4 wheels, carried out through a center differential lock. It is especially worth noting that with such an expense, the power of the Niva-Chevrolet is sufficient and does not allow us to say that the engine is rather weak.

The car is 48mm longer than the four-meter mark. Together with excellent ground clearance, this makes it optimal for use both in urban areas and in the absence of road surfaces.

Do the valves bend?

For car owners, it is worth adding separately that there is no timing belt in it, instead of it there is a chain. But this does not guarantee that when it is stretched or broken, the valve will not bend. "Niva-Chevrolet "due to the lack of a belt, it is somewhat protected from rupture, well, if the metal of the chain or" plate "does not stand up, there will be more problems from this. Possible damages are listed below:

• The valves will bend along with the guides.
• Cover may be damaged.
• The hydraulic tensioner will fail.
• The expansion joints will be damaged.

And these are far from all the problems that can arise when the timing chain breaks on the Chevy Niva. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the level and quality of the oil in the engine and the condition and tension of the chain itself.

Off-road qualities are increased by a two-stage transfer case, which has a center differential with forced locking.

Trick adapted for domestic operation

Some advantage over imported counterparts lies in the small volume of the power unit, equal to 1.7 liters and the power specified in the TCP - 80 horsepower. Russian insurers and the taxation system, after exceeding the 100-strong limit, increase the calculation coefficients. Thus, the economical engine of the Niva-Chevrolet with such power equates it in these criteria to passenger cars: Kalina or Grant.

2009 facelift

Until 2015, the VAZ 2123 is produced without serious restyling. Only in 2009, a slight modification of the Chevrolet Niva car was made, the new model of which did not differ much from the previous one: it received updated bumpers andgrille, as well as taillights and plastic lining on the doors. This is where the differences from the previous version end.

The gearbox, suspension and engine of the Niva-Chevrolet remained unchanged. But the opposite can be said about the braking system and steering. The new hydraulic booster made in Germany, as well as the Valeo vacuum brake boost system, made it possible to increase comfort and quality when driving a domestic SUV.

Restyled 2016: "Chevy Niva"-2

The global crisis affected the timing of the start of serial production of Niva-Chevrolet-2. The expected launch of the conveyor in 2016 may be somewhat delayed. Everything depends on the situation in the world market. But, despite the fact that the model is not yet on sale, a lot is known about it.

At first glance at the car, it seems that it was the appearance that was restyled. The car began to look more aggressive and grew in length by 25 cm. The hood of the model is now one piece with a false radiator grille and elongated “snarled” optics. The sloping and voluminous front bumper with recessed fog lamps protrudes slightly forward. This emphasizes the predatory mood of the model.

The restyled Niva-Chevrolet, the price of which has not yet been announced, will be presented in several variations with a rich selection of additional options:

• automatic transmission;
• rearview mirror and heated front windshield;
• headlight washers;
• parktronic;
• climate or air conditioning at the buyer's choice;
• electric windows for all side windows;
• multimedia system.

And this is not all the declared advantages of the new version, the most comfortable and expected domestic SUV. It remains only to wait for its premiere release for sale and personally check the quality of the expected model.