Lada Riva

The VAZ-2105, VAZ-2104 and VAZ-2107 (collectively known as the Lada Riva in the United Kingdom and the Lada Nova in much of continental Europe) are a series of compact cars of Zhiguli brand built by Russian car manufacturer AvtoVAZ, introduced in 1980 in the Soviet Union, and progressively in other European markets through the early 1980s and sold in sedan and station wagon versions. AvtoVAZ cars are currently branded as Ladas.

This article is about the compact car known as the Lada Riva or Lada Nova in some countries. It is not to be confused with the 4×4 vehicle formerly known as the Lada Niva.

Lada Riva
Lada Riva (VAZ 2105)
Overview
ManufacturerAvtoVAZ
Also calledDennis Signet (Canada)
Lada 1500 (Colombia, Canada)
Lada 2104 / VAZ 2104
Lada 2105 / VAZ 2105
Lada 2107 / VAZ 2107
Lada Classic
Lada Clásico (Ecuador)
Lada Nova (Denmark & West Germany)
Lada Kalinka (France, East Germany, Portugal, Spain)
Lada Laika (Argentina & Brazil)
Lada Riva (Yugoslavia & United Kingdom)
Lada Signet (Canada)[1]
Lada Sputnik (Cuba)
Production2105: 1980–December 2010[2]
2107: 1982–2012[3][4]
2104: 1984–September 2012[5]
Assembly6th of October City, Egypt[6]
Argun, Russia (Chechen Avto)
Cairo, Egypt (Alamal Group, 2002 - )[7][8]
Cherkasy, Ukraine (Bogdan)[3]
Izhevsk, Russia (IzhAvto)[3]
Kherson, Ukraine (Anto-Rus)[9]
Kremenchuk, Ukraine (Kremenchug Car Assembly)[9]
Lutsk, Ukraine (LuAZ)[9]
Tolyatti, Russia (AvtoVAZ)
Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan (Azia Avto)[10]
Zaporizhia, Ukraine (ZAZ)[3]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car
Body style2-door pickup
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedBohse Eurostar[11][12][13]
Fiat 124
Izh 27175[14][15]
SEAT 124
VIS-234500
Powertrain
Engine1.2 L I4 (petrol)
1.3 L I4 (petrol)
1.5 L I4 (petrol)
1.6 L I4 (petrol)
1.7 L I4 (petrol)
1.7 L I4 (diesel)
Transmission4/5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,424 mm (95.4 in)
Length4,145 mm (163.2 in)
Width1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Height1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Chronology
PredecessorVAZ-2101
VAZ-2103
VAZ-2106

Today they are generally referred to as the Lada Classic series,[5] being derived from the original Fiat 124 platform which has been the now-iconic mainstay of the AvtoVAZ lineup since the company's foundation in the late 1960s. The production in Russia ended between 2010 and 2012, however, the Lada 2107 remained in production in Egypt until 2015.[3]

It is the third best selling automobile platform after the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Model T,[16][17] and one of the longest production run platforms alongside the Volkswagen Beetle, the Hindustan Ambassador and the Volkswagen Type 2.[18]

History
VAZ 2105 (Lada Riva 1300)

Although introduced in 1979 and first produced in quantity in 1980,[19] the Riva's origins are older: it is a modernised and restyled version of the original Lada type VAZ-2101 Zhiguli saloon,[19] which was introduced in 1970 as a modified license copy of the Fiat 124. VAZ began development work on the facelift version as early as 1975, and the first prototypes were built in 1977, although it would not be until 1983 - three years after its release in the Soviet Union - that the car was made available in Western European markets.

The Riva itself is officially designated – and known in the home market – as VAZ-2105 (base saloon [sedan]), VAZ-2104 (station wagon), and VAZ-2107 (deluxe saloon identified by the large chromed grille). In Russia, VAZ-2105, VAZ-2104, and VAZ-2107 are considered to be different cars rather than variants but nonetheless all of them are part of a single "Klassika" ("Classic") family along with older models such as the VAZ-2101. They are popularly known as Pyatyorka ("the five"), Chetvyorka ("the four") and Semyorka ("the seven").

Mechanically, the car is virtually identical to the first-generation VAZ-2101, featuring the Fiat-derived manual transmissions, coil spring suspension all round, and aluminium alloy drum brakes with cast iron brake shoes on the rear wheels. The smaller-engined variant, the 65 hp (48 kW; 66 PS) 1,294 cc (79.0 cu in) version (VAZ-2105)[19] had a revamp of its inline four-cylinder compared to the original VAZ-2101 (Lada 1200). The old OHC design had its camshaft driven by chain, while the new one had a toothed belt drive. Some modifications of the Riva's larger-engined version (VAZ-2107) carried on with the 1,452 cc (88.6 cu in)[19] chain-driven OHC engine coming over from the original Lada 1500 (VAZ-2103), while others had a later 1,569 cc (95.7 cu in) 1,6L VAZ-2106/21067 engine. Another change was made to the engine in 1992, when single point fuel injection and catalytic converters were specified to keep up with emissions legislation.

The 2107 was announced in 1982, offered as the luxury version (and the most expensive), with improved interior (including front headrests), a new instrument panel, and a chrome grille; it came with either 1,294 cc (79.0 cu in) (21072) or 1,570 cc (96 cu in) (21074) engines.[20] (The 21079 was a Wankel engined version.[20])

The first 2104 station wagon appeared in 1984, in three models: the 2104 with 1,294 cc (79.0 cu in); the 21041 with 1,198 cc (73.1 cu in); and the 21043 with 1,452 cc (88.6 cu in) (VAZ-2103) engine.[20]

Export sales proved to be very good in Eastern Europe. In the West, Rivas had limited presence in such countries as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand (where it served as a taxi), and Canada. In Finland, they had much larger sales due to the fact that Finland had closer economic ties with the Soviet Union.[20] Canada was the only market to offer whitewall tires.[21] Canadian 2107s were "briefly sold as the Dennis Signet", after the importer, Peter Dennis Motor Corporation.[22] Canadian sales, along with several European markets, ended on 4 July 1997.[23]

Tightening safety and emissions legislation combined with the economic instability in the former Soviet Union during the 1990s led to the Riva being withdrawn from most Western European markets by 1997, although it remained in production at the AvtoVAZ factory in the Russian Federation and was sold as the Lada Classic. It was one of the cheapest automobiles available in the Russian market[24] and remains the most popular second-hand car in Russia even after its production ceased.[25]

In 2002, production of the wagon model was taken over by Izh,[26] before assembly was also started at the Bogdan Group's LuAZ plant, and later in Cherkasy, Ukraine. The 2107 model was produced also at the ZAZ factory in Ukraine and at Suzuki's factory in Egypt. In August 2011, Russian production of the 2107 was moved to Izh. After about thirty years of production, the 2105 was discontinued in 2010, followed by the 2104 and 2107 in 2012.

Britain

The British market was opened with the 1300GL in 1983,[27] and the 21051 (Riva 1200L) had the 1,198 cc (73.1 cu in).[20] British sales were based heavily on low sales price and durability.[20] In 1986, 20,000 Ladas were sold in Britain, 30,000 in 1988.[28]

In a review of the new economy car, the British automobile magazine Autocar noted its low price of only £3,158 (£10,736.82 in 2020), improved road performance and an "impressive list of standard equipment", which included "height-adjustable headlamps, internally adjustable driver's door mirror, velour-covered seats, heated rear window, illumination lights for bonnet and boot", and a 21-piece toolkit.[29] However, its spartan interiors and aging design meant that it was never aimed at buyers of market leaders' similar-sized but more expensive products, such as the Ford Sierra, Vauxhall Cavalier and Austin Montego. Nonetheless, the Riva was still selling well in the United Kingdom and many other Western markets in the early 1990s, but the next few years saw a raft of new models come from budget competitors such as Daewoo, Hyundai, Kia and Proton, pushing Riva sales into terminal decline. This, combined with the economic hardships and much-needed investment to adapt cars to stricter European Union emissions requirements not being available, resulted in the decision to withdraw Lada from the UK (and some other European markets) and Canada on 4 July 1997.[23] They had tried to produce catalyst equipped cars (EU mandated from 1992) using carburettors, when all other car makers changed to fuel injection to more accurately control fuel/air ratios, but this caused many reliability and emissions issues.

New Zealand

The car was also sold in New Zealand, where it was distributed by the New Zealand Dairy Board. The Dairy Board received the cars in lieu of cash payments for deliveries of mutton and butter to the Soviet Union. The last such trade was carried out in 1990.[30]

Models

2104
VAZ-21043
VAZ-21043 rear

Estate edition

  • VAZ-2104 - VAZ-2105 engine, a 1.3-litre carburetor, 4-speed transmission (CAT), the base model
  • VAZ-21041 - engine VAZ-2101, 1.2-litre, 4-carb item. PPC. Not commercially produced.
  • VAZ-21042 - engine VAZ-2103, 1.5-litre, right hand drive.
  • VAZ-21043 - engine VAZ-2103, 1.5-litre carburetor with a 4 - or 5-speed. CAT, in versions with electrical equipment and interior of the VAZ-2107.
  • VAZ-21044 - engine VAZ-2107, 1.7-litre, single injection, 5-speed. CAT, export model.
  • VAZ-21045 - engine VAZ-2107, 1.8-litre, single injection, 5-speed. CAT, export model. Not commercially produced.
  • VAZ-21045D - VAZ-341 engine, 1.5-litre, diesel, 5-speed. PPC.
  • VAZ-21047 - engine VAZ-2103, 1.5-litre, carb, 5-speed. CAT, an improved version with the interior of the VAZ-2104/7. Export modifications were equipped with the radiator grille of the VAZ-2107.
  • VAZ-21048 - engine VAZ-343, 1.77-litre, diesel, 5-speed. PPC.
  • VAZ-21041i - engine VAZ-21067 1.6 litres injector, 5-speed gearbox, with the same interior and electrics as the VAZ-2107, the front seats of the IL-2126.
  • VAZ-21041 VF - radiator design VAZ-2107, VAZ-2103 engine of 1.5 litres injector, 5-speed gearbox, interior and electrical VAZ-2107 car, the front seats of the Izh-2126.

Pickup Edition

  • VAZ-21043-33 Pikap - 1.5-litre with 52 kW, produced from 1991 to 2012 at PSA VIS-Avto.

2105
VAZ 2105 (Lada Riva 1300)
VAZ 2105
  • Lada 2105 - with the carb. engine VAZ-2105 (1.29 L, 63.6 hp, 92 N · m) and 4-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 2105 b - the engine VAZ-2103 (distributed injection, 1.6 L, 71.4 hp, 110 Nm, the Euro-2) and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21050 - with the engine VAZ-2105 and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21051 - with carb. engine VAZ-2101 (1.2 L, 58.7 hp, 85 N · m) and 4-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21053 - with carb. engine VAZ-2103 (1.45 L, 71.4 hp, 104 Nm) and 4 of Art. CAT;
  • Lada 21053-20 - the engine VAZ-2104 (distributed injection, 1.45 L, 71.4 hp, 110 Nm, the Euro-2) and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21054 - small series, especially for the traffic police, the Interior Ministry and the FSB. Carburetted VAZ-2106 engine (1.57 l, 80 hp, 122.5 N·m), equipped with an additional fuel tank and battery.
  • Lada 21054-30 - the engine VAZ-21067 (distributed injection, 1.57 l, 72 hp, 116 Nm, the Euro-3) and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21055 - small scale modification for the cab with a diesel engine VAZ (BTM) -341 production Barnaultransmash (1.52 L, 50.3 hp, 92 N · m);
  • Lada 21057 (Lada Riva) - Export version of VAZ-21053 with right-hand drive and a single injection engine (Euro-1) was produced in 1992-1997 for the markets of the UK and countries with left-hand traffic;
  • Lada 21058 (Lada Riva) - Export version of VAZ-21050 with right-hand drive, produced in 1982-1994 for the markets of the UK and countries with left-hand traffic;
  • Lada 21059 - Debut 1980[31] as a small scale spetsmodifikatsiya for the traffic police, the Interior Ministry and the KGB with 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS) 186 N⋅m (137 ft⋅lbf) two-rotor 1,300 cc (80 cu in) VAZ-411M or (slightly larger displacement) 140 hp (104 kW; 142 PS) VAZ-4132 Wankel engine (which both featured a 9.4:1 compression ratio)[32] and four-speed manual transmission.[31] Capable of 112 mph (180 km/h) and 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in nine seconds.[31] Priced at 52,000 rubles.[31]
  • VIS -2345 - pick poluramnoy design based on VAZ-21053 and 21054, produced by JSC VAZInterService with 1995 by 2006 ;
  • Lada 2105 VFTS (Lada VFTS) - a sports car, which was being built at the facilities of the Vilnius factory vehicles under the guidance of the legendary Soviet rallista Stasys Brundza. Homologated to FISA Group B standard. Markets forced engine VAZ-2106, using carburetors WEBER 45 DCOE (1,6 L 160 hp (at 7000 rpm) 164.8 N · m (5500 rpm)) and a spur 4 and 5-speed gearbox, with claw couplings include; since 1986 in order to reduce weight, the car was equipped with doors made of aluminum.
  • Lada 2105 VIHUR - rally car produced industrial association for the production of sports equipment "Vihur" CC DOSAAF in Tallinn. Homologated for Group A-2/1 union classification (the so-called "queen-group"). According to the requirements of the A-2/1, the engines were serially unchanged.

2107
Lada 2107
Classic-2 (2107M) prototype from 2007
Izh 27175, pick-up model derived from the VAZ (Lada) 2104
Rally car
  • Lada 2107 (Engine 2103, 1.5 liter, 4 cyl., Carburetor)
  • Lada 21071 (engine 2105, 1.3L, 4 cyl., Carburetor, timing belt)
  • Lada 21072 (1.7 L engine, Grade 8., Single injection - export version for the European market)
  • Lada 21073 (engine 2106, 1.6 liter, 4 cyl., Carburetor)
  • Lada 21076-20 (motor 2104, 1.5L, 4 cyl., Point Injection)
  • Lada 2107-71 (1.45 liter engine., 66 hp engine 21034 for gasoline A-76, version for China)
  • Lada 21074-20 (21067-10 engine, 1.6 liter, 4 cyl., Distributed injection, Euro-2)
  • Lada 21074-30 (21067-20 engine, 1.6 liter, 4 cyl., Distributed injection, Euro-3)
  • Lada 21077 (engine 2105, 1.3L, 4 cyl., Carburetor, timing belt - export UK version)
  • Lada 21078 (engine 2106, 1.6 liter, 4 cyl., Carburetor - export UK version)
  • Lada 21079 Debut 1982, fitted with 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS) two-rotor 1,300 cc (80 cu in) VAZ-411M or (slightly larger displacement) 140 hp (104 kW; 142 PS) VAZ-4132 Wankel engine (which both featured a 9.4:1 compression ratio)[32] and five-speed manual transmission.[31] Capable of 112 mph (180 km/h) and 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 9 seconds.[31] Priced at 58,000 rubles.[31] Originally created for the needs of federal agencies: the traffic police, the Interior Ministry and KGB.
  • Lada 2107 ZNG (21213 engine, 1.7 liter, 4 cyl., Point Injection)

Other variants

Model variants included the Riva Signet, Riva 1200, Riva 1300, Riva 1500, and Riva 1600, with trim levels "E" and "L". A Turbo charged model Lada 2107 Turbo was sold in Finland, this version was made by Finnish Lada importer.

Small numbers of Lada rally cars were built with 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS) Wankel engines, fitted with a pair of Weber DCOE twin-choke carburettors.[33]

Production at Suzuki Egypt

In Egypt, the Amal Foreign Trade Company and Lada's parent company AvtoVAZ signed a joint venture agreement to assemble Ladas for the North African market in 2000. However, as they did not have their own factory, space was found at a local Suzuki plant in Cairo to assemble the 2107 version of the Riva. As of 2006, production continued at Suzuki with an additional model, the 2110, being produced.

Safety

In the early 1980s, when it was put into production, the car complied with UNECE car safety standards and GOST technical standards.[34]

In 2001, the 2107 version of the Riva scored 0 points out of 16 in a frontal crash test conducted by the modern Russian ARCAP safety assessment program, and was awarded zero stars out of four.[35] The reviewers noted that the result of the test was easily predictable and couldn't be positive, as they were dealing with an old car having an outdated construction of the body and designed at the time when safety tests were different from those of 2001.[36]

In 2002 Za Rulyom magazine performed crash tests on two Lada 21053 models, a new car from 2002 and a used one from 1994. The magazine's experts noted that the newer model complied with UNECE car safety standards 12-03 and 33, but the older and used one failed the latter standard.[37] The story also expressed doubt that the 2002 model could meet the stricter safety requirements that would be imposed in October of the same year.[37]

End of production

In the 2010s, the sales of the Lada Classics remained strong in the car's native Russia and some of the former Eastern Bloc nations. In April 2011, it was reported that Russian sales of the 2105 and 2107 series showed an increase of 140% on a total of 28,633 in the first quarter of the year.[38] However, production of the 2105 ceased at AvtoVAZ's Togliatti plant at the end of 2010 after a 30-year production run and nearly 3,000,000 units, with production of the other variants being fully moved to the IzhAvto plant near Izhevsk.[2]

The 2107 made the transition to the IzhAvto plant in August 2011, thus marking the end of production of the original Fiat 124 derived models at Togliatti after a 41-year production run and over 14 million units.

In September 2012, the history of the sedan model in Russia was over, when the last 2104 came off the IzhAvto assembly lines.[3] The last unit of the Lada Classic series, a 2104 model, was produced by IzhAvto on 17 September 2012.[5] Starting from the same month, production at the Izhevsk factory was replaced with the Lada Granta.[39] However, as of 2014, the 2107 model was still in production in Egypt.[40]

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References
  1. "Lada Signet". Unique-autos.ru. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  2. "The cheapest Russian car was removed from production". Autostat. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  3. "ИжАвто" выпустил последнюю "семерку" [IzhAvto" produced the last "semyorka"] (in Russian). Autocentre.ua. 17 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  4. "АвтоВаз выпустил последний классический автомобиль Lada" [AvtoVAZ produced the last Lada Classic car] (in Russian). BBC Russian. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  5. "17 сентября будут сделаны последние "Жигули"" [The last Zhiguli will be produced on 17 September] (in Russian). Auto.Mail.Ru. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  6. "Lada. Lada in Egypt". Car-cat.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  7. "Assembly of Lada Granta sedan can begin in Egypt". AUTOSTAT. 26 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  8. "AvtoVAZ may establish a joint venture in Egypt". AUTOSTAT. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  9. "Annual Report 2003" (PDF). JSC Avtovaz. 29 July 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  10. "Company / Plant History". Aziaavto.kz. Archived from the original on 16 January 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  11. "Bohse Euro-Star brochure". Storm.oldcarmanualproject.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  12. Börger, Andre. "Bohse EuroStar". Cabrionews.de. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  13. "The Bohse Euro-Star: a unique no-nonsense car". Bohse.nl. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  14. "ИжАвто" сокращает производство из-за низкого спроса на "классику" ["IzhAuto" reduces production due to low demand for "classic"] (in Russian). Autocentre.ua. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  15. "АвтоВАЗ" завершил выпуск последней "классической" модели ["AvtoVAZ" rolled of the last unit of the "classical" model] (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014.
  16. Kowalke, Ron (1997). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-521-3.
  17. Giles Chapman (2005). Car emblems: the ultimate guide to automotive logos worldwide. Merrell. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-85894-317-6. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Combined with the Fiat 1 24, it's the third best- selling single model design of all time, after the Volkswagen Beetle and Ford Model T.
  18. "The Oldest Cars Still in Production". Jalopnik. 14 May 2012. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  19. Andy Thompson (2008). Cars of the Soviet Union: The Definite History. Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-84425-483-5.
  20. Thompson, p. 229.
  21. Thompson, p. 227 (caption).
  22. Thompson, p. 232 (caption).
  23. Rogers, Peter. "UK Lada history". Lada Owners Club of GB. Archived from the original on 21 October 2010.
  24. "The cheapest cars in the Russian market" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 17 December 2013.
  25. "Ranking of the best-selling automobiles in the Russian secondary market" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 11 December 2015.
  26. "На "ИжАвто" выпущена 100-тысячная Lada 2104" [IzhAvto produced the 100,000th Lada 2104] (in Russian). Autocentre.ua. 7 March 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  27. Thompson, p. 228 (caption).
  28. Thompson, pp. 232 & 235.
  29. Autocar, 14 January 1984
  30. Brown, Bruce (1 March 1999). "New Zealand in the World Economy: Trade Negotiations and Diversification". New Zealand in World Affairs, 1972-1990. Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University Press. 3: 44. ISBN 978-0864733726. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016.
  31. Thompson, p.236.
  32. Thompson, pp.115 and 236.
  33. Thompson, p.237.
  34. Вершигора, В. А.; Игнатов, А. П. Автомобиль ВАЗ-2105. М.: ДОСААФ. 1982. С. 3-4
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  36. "Краш-тест ВАЗ-2107 // Авторевю, №22, 2001 г." Archived from the original on 14 August 2010.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  37. Крючков, В. (March 2002). "Пятёрка в кубе". За Рулём (3): 30–34. Archived from the original on 21 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  38. "Sales of cars and LCVs in Russia up 77%". RIA Novosti. 8 April 2011. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  39. История вазовской "классики" завершится 17 сентября [VAZ Classic history will end on 17 September] (in Russian). Auto.Vesti.Ru. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  40. "Egyptian automotive corp to exclusively manufacture Russia Lada Granta". Ahram Online. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
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