This vehicle dates to the days of the Soviet Union, the Lada Niva off-roader may be the most iconic and most successful of Russian vehicles.
Lada unveiled a concept vehicle previewing a replacement for its 4×4, more than 40 years after the budget off-roader appeared.
The 4×4 continues to sell well despite its age.
Lada Niva/Russian model/Soviet car
“It’s an icon and a legend. We have taken a lot of the design DNA and interpreted it in a modern way and incorporated it into our current design language,” Lada design chief Steve Mattin, told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of the auto show. He didn’t say when a production model would arrive.
The current 4×4 has a devoted following in Russia and other markets because of its traditional looks, low price and off-road ability.
At first glance, the 4×4 Vision looks like it keeps the three-door body style, but the concept is a five-door with the rear pair hinged at the back to help hide them.
The vehicle is still short by modern SUV standards with a length of 165 inches.
The concept updates Lada’s “X” design language that uses a cross motif in the grille and along the body sides.
A future 4×4 would need to address needs of very different buyers compared with the current model, launched in 1977, Mattin said.
