VAZ-21218 "Fora": specifications, owner reviews, test drive

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

A lot of words have already been said about the VAZ-2121 Niva car. This is the first domestic comfortable SUV in the world.

How much do domestic motorists know about Niva? The Taiga comes off the assembly line of the plant, and a five-door VAZ-2131 is assembled at pilot plants. But even on the roads of the country there are intermediate versions. This is the VAZ-2129 - a three-door modification with a long base, which has already been discontinued, and the VAZ-21218 Fora. This car is very interesting. And despite the fact that it is no longer produced, the model is in demand among fans. In the three-door body of the standard Niva, it’s a bit cramped, and the five-door modification based on the VAZ-2121 is not at all the same. "Handicap" is something like the golden mean.

“Handicap” – what is it?

“Niva Fora” is a three-door cross-country vehicle with permanent all-wheel drive. The salon is made in a complete set "Lux". The car can be operated in any conditions. To do this, the designers equipped the model with everything that is possible. It's permanent all-wheel drive on all four wheels,differential lock, high ground clearance. This model was first introduced in 1998. But all this is not the most important thing.

"Niva" has always interested motorists as a good object for tuning. Spotlights were installed on the roof, the bumpers were equipped with winches, the wheels were necessarily on huge mud tires. There are many variants of these models. The Bronto company was engaged in the production of special cars. The company developed armored vehicles for the needs of collectors. They were called "Force" and were made on the basis of the VAZ-2121. Bronto-mobiles were then in the fleets of all self-respecting banks.

But the company did not stop there, and after the successful development of the machine for banks, it started expanding the gamut. A snow and swamp-going vehicle called "March" and an extended 300 mm "Niva Fora" were released. Together with "March" and "Force", "Foru" was shown at the Moscow Motor Show in 1997. The model was then very interested in off-road lovers. After that, Bronto receives a certificate for the sale of Handicap.

In short, the "Handicap" is the same "Force", but without armor on the body (the so-called civilian version). Consider the features of this car.

Comfort

The most important difference between the VAZ-21218 is, of course, the wheelbase, which was lengthened by 300 mm. The engineers also raised the roof a little. These millimeters, obtained from the rise, were not used to increase the volume of the trunk, but to increase the space in the cabin. The car is also different and morewide doors. The owners know how hard it is for an adult to get into the back row of an ordinary Niva. There is no such problem here - you can enter the car without problems.

Despite the fact that "Handicap" almost does not differ in appearance from the standard model, inside the difference is felt immediately. Now it is not necessary to bend to get on the back sofa. And the front landing is quite comfortable.

Thanks to 300 mm, passengers have become much more comfortable. Now you no longer need to bend your knees. The seats have been removed from the wheel arch area, due to which the already small width of the base has become even more limited.

Trunk

Before the advent of the VAZ-21218, several small suitcases and a meager set of tools were placed in the trunk of the Niva. The Fora's trunk is larger. If you need to carry some bulky cargo, now you do not need to fold the rear seats. In the cabin, the luggage compartment is covered with a shelf from the VAZ-2108. There you can install audio. The rear seat is also borrowed from the VAZ-2108.

Design

VAZ-21218 "Bronto" can be distinguished by appearance only by a few details. The first thing that catches your eye is a longer door. The second detail is the roof, which is now an order of magnitude larger than the regular one. They made it very interesting. She began to resemble the English Land Rover Defender. However, there are no additional windows in Niva. And finally, the third difference is the spare tire hanging behind the back door, like on most foreign-made jeeps.

This move was used not only for aesthetic reasons andergonomics, but also due to the use of wider tires and wheels on the Fore. The spare wheel simply did not fit under the hood. For some time the spare tire hung on a cheap bracket. Feedback from motorists noted that it was very uncomfortable. To open the trunk, the owners of the first versions had to first raise the spare tire, and then fold it to the side. These procedures often resulted in soiled clothing. Then the situation was corrected. You had to put your hand under the spare wheel and turn the lever. Thus, the wheel reclined without any problems.

Long body and its reliability

The body became longer, and lengthened it by the most common method for AvtoVAZ. So, the basic "Niva" is cut in half, and new parts are inserted into the structure. Naturally, this approach does not add reliability.

Therefore, Bronto decided not to act according to standard, well-established technologies, but to go a different way. All non-standard elements were lengthened separately. Every detail was carefully calculated. This was done so that the body did not lose strength. The Bronto engineers tried not to end up with a weakened design as a result.

So, the sidewall was cut from the bottom in front of the threshold. At the top, the incision was made in the back of the doorway. The floor was lengthened with a stepped insert. The roof was raised using amplifiers. Bronto assured that the VAZ-21218 Fora car successfully passed all the tests, the result was more than excellent. Characteristics of the strength and reliability of the structure remained atlevel of the basic Niva.

Welding seams and joints, as well as extension inserts on the body are almost impossible to find. However, you can feel the insert on the part of the roof that closes with the top of the door.

The door is welded from two parts. The outer part of the structure is a monolithic steel sheet. On the long doors in the Bronto, they even installed additional opening handles for passengers in the back row. The glass is large enough - the size of the door. Inside, the part is finished with standard materials. What some owners do not like is the lack of pockets for small items inside on the door cards.

Salon

In the cabin of the VAZ-21218 you will not be able to find anything new. Here is the interior of the usual Niva.

The same uncomfortable gear selector, the same VAZ steering wheel, hard plastic and velor upholstery. In general, nothing has been done with ergonomics, it is still “lame” - note the reviews of the owners. But talking about ergonomics is not entirely correct - the car was designed 40 years ago. Even tuning will not help here. You can equip the car with air conditioning, but this will not completely solve the issue of comfort inside.

Engine and gearbox

Under the hood, as well as in the cabin, there are no changes. Here, the already familiar VAZ engine model 21213 awaits the owner. The power of the unit is 79 horsepower. The engine produces 127 Nm of torque. Since the “Handicap” differs from the standard “Niva” in a larger mass, acceleration to 100 km / h takes 21 seconds. The maximum speed is 135 km/h. ConsumptionFora has a full liter more fuel than the standard Niva.

Earlier, gas generators were installed under the hood instead of a spare wheel in collection vehicles to extinguish a fire, in the civilian version this option is not available due to a cheaper design.

The transmission and running gear have not changed either. The same five-speed manual gearbox and transfer case are installed here. Driving axles - front and rear. Only the cardan shaft differs - since the car is extended by 300 mm, instead of the standard shaft, an elongated one was installed on the Bronto.

Other features

Since this is an elongated car, its main difference from the standard Niva is in body dimensions. The length of the Handicap is 4040 mm, the width is 1680 mm, the height of the car is 1750 mm. The wheelbase of the Fora is 2500 mm. Curb weight - 1270 kg. Maximum weight - 1720 kg. As you can see, on the VAZ-21218 car, the technical specifications remained unchanged. But they love this car not for speed, but for its cross-country ability.

Test drive

On the track the car is quite confident. There are no more those jumps, like the short "Niva". The suspension absorbs road bumps well. It seems that this is not a tough and serious SUV, but a comfortable passenger car. In corners, the car also proved to be better than the standard Niva. However, a larger turning radius was noticeable - after all, the long wheelbase makes itself felt.

But asph alt is no place for VAZ-21218. Test Drivemust be carried out on muddy dirt roads in the mud, in the sands. And the car copes here no worse than the basic version. All the advantages and characteristics that the manufacturer announced were fully confirmed.

Packages

Basic equipment does not include alloy wheels and branded grille on the front bumper. If you already buy a VAZ-21218, it is better to order tuning from the manufacturer. These fenders are a very useful thing in car operation. This element, by the way, is fully certified. From other equipment, the manufacturer offers a hydraulic booster and air conditioning.

Conclusion

What else can you say about the VAZ-21218? Owner reviews will let you know more about this car. Owners consider the car quite comfortable and convenient. Naturally, for lovers of speed, it is not suitable. "Fora" was created for those who are not in a hurry. The machine is maintainable, the units are quite reliable. Breakdowns are all standard for Niva.