Chevrolet Niva: ground clearance. "Niva Chevrolet": description of the car, characteristics

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

"Chevrolet Niva" is a joint development of domestic and American automakers. To be more precise, Russian specialists worked on the creation of this car, and their foreign colleagues brought it to full readiness and launched it into mass production. Under the Chevrolet brand, the car has been presented since 2002. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the new Chevrolet Niva and the history of its creation.

A bit of history

Chevrolet Niva is a five-door SUV belonging to the SUV class. Production of the all-wheel drive VAZ-2121 Niva began in 1977. The abbreviation NIVA means "The Best Invention of the Volga Automobile Plant" and its name has nothing to do with wheat fields and plowing. Despite the fact that the car was given such an ambitious name, unfortunately, it did not quite justify itself. Initially, the SUV was created for residents of agricultural regions, but since the price of a car was high, not everyone could buy it. The model had a largepopularity due to good performance and simplicity of design. At the Moscow Motor Show in 1998, AvtoVAZ presented a concept car that was supposed to replace the outdated Niva. It cannot be said that it was radically different from its predecessor, but one of the innovations was the five-door body. A new model under the index VAZ-2123 appeared in 2001, but it was never put into mass production due to financial problems. As a result of the situation, the Niva brand was sold to the American concern General Motors. American specialists thoroughly finalized the Niva, introducing about 1,700 changes to its design. The following year, the first Niva car was produced under the Chevrolet brand. The old modification of the VAZ-2121 was renamed "Lada 4x4". In 2009, the Chevrolet Niva was restyled: the exterior was changed, the interior received a new finish, improved sound insulation, as well as other technical innovations.

Waiting for a new generation model

Soon the third generation of the popular domestic SUV model was supposed to roll off the assembly line, but, as the manufacturer announced, the project was frozen, and the new generation will be born only by 2018 at best. The updated Niva was presented in 2014 at the Moscow auto show, but in order to put it into mass production, about 12–14 billion rubles are required. The government of the country in connection with the financial problems of the VAZ is ready to support him in the form of issuingloan for project development. As a result, the Chevrolet Niva car will be radically different from its predecessor, but the main distinguishing features will still be preserved.

Specialists of the American auto giant GM have developed a new appearance and technical part of the car, as well as modified interior. The exterior has a lot of angular shapes and stylish stamps, as well as an additional off-road body kit. Chevrolet Niva will still remain a real SUV, because this is exactly what fans of the brand want. It will, as before, be equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive system, and also have high ground clearance. Niva Chevrolet is equipped with a modified suspension and large mud tires. It is noted that now there will be modifications with a drive on one axle, as well as with a manual transmission.

Features of the car "Chevrolet Niva"

What is the difference between the Chevrolet Niva and the regular model? The design of the SUV is made in a different style, which is close to the Chevrolet lineup. The back door began to open to the side, and not up, as before. At the VAZ-2121, the spare wheel was in the engine compartment, but now it has become attached to the door. As for the power unit, transmission and suspension, they have not undergone significant changes. "Chevrolet Niva" is equipped with frost-resistant bumpers, body colors have expanded.

The advantages of the Chevy Niva compared to other cars are not limited to the lightness of the design and, accordingly, the increase in cross-country ability. The main rival of this model is RenaultDuster ": unlike him, the described SUV is equipped with permanent all-wheel drive. "Chevrolet Niva" combines the comfort of a city SUV and the dignity of the old model. But there are also disadvantages, for example, such as a weak motor and a low level of security. However, despite a number of disadvantages, this SUV became the best-selling in the period from 2004 to 2008. Chevrolet Niva has a number of awards, such as SUV of the Year in two SUV nominations and Premier of the Year, and was also awarded the High Performance Award.

Chevrolet Niva clearance

It should be noted that this parameter pleases with its enviable height, because the all-terrain vehicle must have significant ground clearance. This figure was 22 centimeters for the car. It should be noted that the clearance of the Chevrolet Niva ranges from 20 to 24 cm, depending on the principle by which this distance is measured. Recall that ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of the car and the ground. An SUV when driving on dirt roads and damaged areas simply needs to have high performance in this aspect.

The Chevrolet Niva's ground clearance can be increased in two different ways: bodywork and suspension. In the first case, washers are installed under the suspension springs, the necessary changes are made in the depreciation system: springs are installed on the rear suspension instead of shock absorbers, and shock absorbers from the Volga are installed on the front suspension. The first method is to replace the oldwheels on new, with a diameter larger than the standard. It must be remembered that the load on the engine will increase after the clearance of the Chevrolet Niva is increased, therefore it is necessary to change all four wheels at the same time, in addition, the tire size should not exceed 30% of the factory values.

Updated "Chevy Niva"

The second generation of the Chevrolet Niva is a successful joint development of engineers. The car has good performance in terms of body strength, torsional rigidity, and the quality of the paintwork. In terms of cabin comfort, the SUV looks rather modest, and its main advantage is its off-road qualities.

Chevrolet Niva's decoration is an updated radiator grille with a large golden logo. The head optics looks original, round fog lights are located on the sides of the bumper. Plastic lining appeared on the body sidewalls, in expensive trim levels the SUV is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Chevrolet Niva test can tell about some features of the model, for example, that the car cannot be called dynamic. It will appeal to those drivers who prefer a calm driving style. On the road, the Niva behaves quite acceptable, but the following feature is noted: it is necessary to change gear strictly on time, that is, when the engine reaches 3000-3500 rpm. The suspension also performed well during testing, which allows you to comfortably overcome obstacles on the roads. Byoff-road, the car moves confidently and there is not even a need to switch to a lower gear, but it is noted that if you get into a rut, you have to work hard to get out of it. At times, the car does not have enough power to overcome certain obstacles, and the engine often stalls.

"Chevrolet Niva" in the course of restyling was improved in various ways in order to get rid of some shortcomings: for example, the leak of the engine cooling system was eliminated, the assembly of the front suspension was changed, and noise isolation was also improved. On all premium trim levels after 2013, new seats, ABS, pretensioner belts and front airbags appeared. As for the power unit, it was possible to make it more dynamic and economical. Its volume is now 1.8 liters, and the power reaches 122 hp. With. Such an engine is installed on a special modification marked FAM-1. The 1.7-liter engine on standard versions has a small power equal to 80 hp. With. The motor is aggregated with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Conclusion

The legendary domestic SUV has undoubtedly been improved thanks to the intervention of GM and acquired a spectacular look, coupled with improved technical qualities. The price category in which the car is located is fully consistent with its characteristics, among which good cross-country ability and high ground clearance are of the greatest importance. Chevrolet Niva is still a popular car among Russian drivers and is notonly.