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

"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 into full readiness and launched into mass production. Under the brand name "Chevrolet" the car is introduced since 2002. Let us consider in more detail the characteristics of the new Chevrolet Niva and the history of its creation.

A bit of history

Chevrolet Niva - five-door SUV, belonging to the class SUV. The 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 fully justify itself. Originally, an SUV was created for residents of agricultural regions, but since the price of the car was high, not all could buy it. The model was very popular due to its good performance and simplicity of design. At the Moscow Motor Show in 1998, AvtoVAZ introduced the concept car, which was supposed to replace the obsolete "Niva". It can not be said that he was radically different from his predecessor, but one of the innovations was a five-door body. The new model under the VAZ-2123 index appeared in 2001, but it was never launched into mass production due to financial problems. The brand "Niva" as a result of the situation was sold to the American concern General Motors. American experts have thoroughly completed the "Niva", making in its design about 1700 changes. 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 salon received a new finish, improved noise insulation, as well as other technical innovations.

Waiting for the next generation model

Soon the third generation of the popular domestic SUV model was due to leave the assembly line, but, as the manufacturer announced, the project was frozen, and the new generation will be born at best only by 2018. The updated "Niva" was presented in 2014 at the Moscow auto show, but in order to launch it into batch production it takes about 12-14 billion rubles. The government of the country in connection with the financial problems of VAZ is ready to support it in the form of a loan for the development of the project. As a result, the car "Chevrolet Niva" will be radically different from its predecessor, but the main features will still remain.

Specialists of the American auto giant GM have developed a new appearance and technical part of the car, as well as a saloon. In the exterior there were many angular shapes and stylish stamps, as well as an additional off-road kit. Chevrolet Niva is still a true off-roader because this is what the fans of the brand want. It will, as before, be equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive system, and also have a large 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 axis, as well as with a manual transmission.

Features of the car "Chevrolet Niva"

What is the difference between the Chevrolet Niva and the conventional model? Design SUV is made in a different style, which is close to the model range of "Chevrolet". The back door began to open in the side, and not upward, as before. At VAZ-2121 the spare wheel was in the engine compartment, now it became attached to the door. As for the powertrain, transmission and suspension, they have not undergone any significant changes. "Chevrolet Niva" is equipped with frost-resistant bumpers, the color scheme of the body has expanded.

The advantages of the "Chevy Niva" in comparison with other cars are not limited to the ease of construction and, consequently, increased patency. The main rival of this model is the Renault Daster: unlike it, the SUV described has a 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 safety. However, despite a number of minuses, 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 nominations SUV and "Premiere of the Year", and also awarded the "For High Performance" award.

Clearance "Niva Chevrolet"

It should be noted that this parameter pleases its enviable height because the all-terrain vehicle must have a significant ground clearance. This figure was a car 22 centimeters. It should be noted that the clearance of the Niva Chevrolet ranges from 20 to 24 cm, depending on the principle of measuring this distance. Recall that the ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of the machine and the surface of the earth. An off-road vehicle when driving on dirt roads and damaged areas simply requires the presence of high indicators in this aspect.

The ground clearance "Niva Chevrolet" can be increased in two different ways: body 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 instead of shock absorbers, shock absorbers from the "Volga" are installed on the front suspension. At the first method it is necessary to replace old wheels with new ones, with a diameter larger than the standard one. It must be remembered that the load on the engine will increase after the clearance of the Niva Chevrolet is increased, so it is necessary to change all four wheels simultaneously, in addition, the size of the tires should not exceed 30% of the factory parameters.

Updated "Shevi Niva"

The second generation of "Chevrolet Niva" is a successful joint development of engineers. The car has good indicators on the strength of the body, torsional stiffness, the quality of paint and varnish. In terms of interior comfort, the SUV looks rather modest, and its main advantage is off-road qualities.

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

The test "Chevrolet Niva" can tell about some features of the model, for example, that the car can not be called dynamic. It will have to the liking of those drivers who prefer a quiet ride style. On the road, "Niva" behaves quite reasonably, but the following feature is noted: it is necessary to switch the gear strictly on time, that is, when the engine reaches 3000-3500 revolutions. Not bad proved during the testing and suspension, which allows you to comfortably overcome obstacles on the roads. On the road, the car moves confidently and does not even need to switch to a lower gear, but notes that when you hit 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" during the restyling has been improved in different directions in order to get rid of some disadvantages: for example, the leakage of the engine cooling system has been eliminated, the assembly of the front suspension has been changed, and the noise insulation has been improved. At all premium trim levels after 2013, there were new seats, ABS, belts with pretensioners and front airbags. As for the power unit, it managed to make it more dynamic and economical. Its volume is now 1.8 liters, and the power reaches 122 liters. from. This engine is mounted on a special modification with the FAM-1 marking. The 1.7-liter engine on the standard versions has a small capacity equal to 80 liters. from. The motor is aggregated by a 5-speed manual transmission.

Conclusion

The legendary domestic SUV, undoubtedly, was improved due to the intervention of GM and acquired a spectacular appearance in conjunction with improved technical qualities. The price category in which the car is located is fully consistent with its characteristics, among which the most important is good cross-country ability and high ground clearance. "Niva Chevrolet" is still a popular car among Russian drivers and not only.