Everybody's Favorite Russian 4x4 is Reborn
Photos of Russian 4x4 SUV, the Lada Niva, have been leaked ahead of its August debut at the Moscow Auto Show, and it appears that the 37-year-old vehicle will see a serious facelift .
AvtoVaz originally called the Niva ,now the ‘4×4’, into production in 1977 and as you can see from the styling and amenities in the new ‘Urban’ model, the company hasn’t exactly changed the formula much. The new 4×4 Urban channels iconic Range Rovers of the past with a revised three-slat front radiator grille as well as body-colored bumpers. New 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels tuck underneath those rugged bumpers, albeit covered by plastic hubcaps.
Inside the New 2017 Lada Niva 4x4 Urban, more sound-deadening material has been added, along with power windows and air-conditioning. While subtle, the changes do help to remove a bit of the agriculture from this barebones off-roader. Power for the Lada Niva Urban is expected to come from the current 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 84 stampeding Russian ponies, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox that feeds power to a full-time four-wheel drive system.
