The Lada Nadezhda, or VAZ-2120, was a seven-person four-wheel-drive minivan produced by AvtoVAZ between 1998 and 2006. It was the first minivan produced by the Russian car industry, based on the long-wheelbase Niva, and it never became a commercial success.
Lada Nadezhda at a glance
| Maker | AvtoVAZ, OPP pilot production, Tolyatti |
|---|---|
| Production | 1998–2006 |
| Class | seven-seat minivan |
| Drive | four-wheel drive |
| Based on | VAZ-2131 Niva |
| Engines | 1.8 carburettor VAZ-2130, 80 PS; 1.7 injection VAZ-21214, 84 PS |
| Debut | 1997 Moscow Auto Show |
| Peak annual output | about 1,500 |
| Total built | about 8,000 |
| Discontinued | August 2006 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Lada Nadezhda.
History of the Lada Nadezhda
The VAZ-2120 was the first minivan produced by the Russian auto industry. It was based on the VAZ-2131 Niva line of sport utility vehicles and was first shown to the public at the 1997 Moscow Auto Show. It was built in small numbers by AvtoVAZ’s OPP pilot industrial production subsidiary in Tolyatti, to order.
The Nadezhda could not be sold at a competitive price and did not meet with commercial success. Annual production peaked at around 1,500 units, and about 8,000 examples had been built before the model was cancelled in August 2006. AvtoVAZ preferred to use the production capacity for the 112 Coupé, which could be sold at a higher profit margin. Plans to build the Nadezhda on a dedicated rear-wheel-drive chassis came to naught.
Design and versions
The pre-production examples used the twin round headlamps of the VAZ-2106, set in organically shaped housings. These could not meet newer legislation, and the production models used the headlamps of the Lada 110 instead. Two engines were listed: a 1.8-litre carburettor VAZ-2130 of 80 PS and a 1.7-litre fuel-injected VAZ-21214 of 84 PS.
Besides the standard minivan, AvtoVAZ listed commercial derivatives: the Utiliter van for retail delivery, a pick-up, a mobile workshop called Service, an office on wheels called Manager and a four-seat taxi with a large luggage compartment. A restyled rear-wheel-drive 2120M 4×2 with a rear axle from the Izh Oda and regularly hinged rear side doors did not enter series production.
Design and features
- First Russian minivan: the VAZ-2120 brought the body style to the domestic industry.
- Niva underpinnings: four-wheel drive and the mechanical layout came from the VAZ-2131.
- Seven seats: a family layout in a vehicle derived from an off-roader.
- Lada 110 lights: production cars used the front lamps of the 110 after the 2106 units failed legislation.
Lada Nadezhda versions
- VAZ-2120 1.8: carburettor VAZ-2130 engine, 80 PS.
- VAZ-2120 1.7i: fuel-injected VAZ-21214 engine, 84 PS.
- Utiliter van: commercial retail delivery version.
- Pick-up and Service: commercial truck and mobile workshop.
- Manager and Taxi: office on wheels and a four-seat taxi.
- 2120M 4×2: rear-drive prototype that did not reach production.
The Nadezhda was derived from the Lada Niva and used lamps from the Lada 110. More models are in the Lada collection.
Video: тест-драйв ВАЗ 2120 Надежда
Video by Иван Зенкевич PRO автомобили on YouTube.
Sources
- Lada Nadezhda, English Wikipedia: history, engines, versions, production
