Thicker body panels mean absolutely nothing in the event of a crash, the structure underneath is all that matters and even newer Ladas are still more or less structurally unaltered when compared to original models and the 124 they were based on. One of the reasons why "classic" Ladas were withdrawn from all western-european markets in the mid '90s is that, as it was, the car wouldn't even pass homologation crash tests anymore. Maybe they would withstand harsher climate conditions better than european cars of the '60s, but that's about it. Also, steel used for sheet metal by Lada was surely thicker... but also notoriously poorly treated up to the mid '80s, which gave them (and FIAT) an hilariously bad reputation for rust in the West. Honestly, I wouldn't even call that a positive perk...
you seem to not know what communism was and you propably didnt even see a lada in your life just saying
yeah, not like I own one, oh wait... --- Post updated --- The last part is not true. It's a myth that it was russian steel that's to blame for fiats rusting. And Ladas rust because the chemical industry of ussr was underdeveloped and the paints they used were crap. The main reason for withdrawal is emissions, crash safety may have been another, not denying that.
It was overexaggerated and not the only cause, but it is true and documented that Lada paid back the Tolyatti plant with locally-produced steel, which FIAT in turn used for their own cars. Also, Ladas were sold in Western Europe as well for a while (in some countries, up to the mid '90s, as mentioned) and they developed the same reputation of very rust-prone vehicles. Probably also an issue overinflated by the circulating rumors (most cars of the time would rust pretty badly), but still, there's some truth in the whole story. As it's undeniable that thicker sheet metal wouldn't really help in case of a crash. They couldn't bring it up to standards (not without massive investments that would have taken away the main selling point of the car, the bargain price) required to sell any newly-homologated vehicle in the EU. That includes emissions and crash safety, and it's the reason why most long-lasting classics like the 2CV, the R4 or the Beetle went out of production at around the same time as the Riva.
While the Lancia Beta was widely praised upon its launch by the motoring press and general public,[43] it soon gained a reputation for being extremely rust-prone, especially with the early models. At the time, it was widely rumored that this was due to the vehicles being constructed with Soviet steel which was allegedly supplied to Lancia's parent company Fiat in exchange for building the main Lada factory.[44] However, these claims were never verified, and it has been suggested that these issues were more likely the result of poor rustproofing techniques as well as the prolonged factory strikes that plagued Italy at the time.
About the standarts, they only developed one engine throughout the classic lada history that had euro 3 standarts. Others were not even evaluated.
There are crumple zones, altho basic, doubt they were strengthened as much, so it's still a little bit safer --- Post updated --- It's the same basic engine as the 2121's, which have a Euro-5 version --- Post updated --- If they wanted they could have continued importation --- Post updated --- Interesting how the 4x4 is still sold if it doesn't cover crash safety
Use of russian steel for the Lancia Beta and the Fiat 131 is pretty much confirmed and it was never denied by FIAT either. At the time even Alfa Romeo, partially state-owned, reportedly purchased cheaper russian steel for the new Alfasud plant. Inadequate materials + industrial unrest never bring quality products to the market... The whole rust scandal involving Lancia in the UK was overinflated and partially debunked only years later, but still... raw materials processed in the Tolyatti plant were subpar quality, no two-ways about it. Limited numbers. Low-volume vehicles are exempt from certain homologation tests, see also kit cars or vintage british roadster replicas. Also worth mentioning that the Niva isn't available in Europe anymore. Oh, and this: https://autoreview.ru/arcap/cars/Лада/ВАЗ-21213 Нива
Will there be an off road version of niva? with bigger tires, lifted suspension and with more suspension travel? and will the lada niva have 4 doors?
The Niva is being sold in Turkey actually (3 and 5 doors, Urban and old looking version), yet they are rare when it comes to sales. Not that you would call it a European country anyway.
--- Post updated --- Issues with the model: this is very wrong: Should be like this: Also, which year is the 2107 model based on? The engine names are almost all wrong: 1.2 version of 2107 didn't exist 1.3 2105 1.5 2103 1.6 and 1.7 I guess are right As I said, no 1.8L engine in 2101-2107 LADA-21078 (двигатель 2106, 1,6 л, 8 кл., карбюратор — экспортная версия для Великобритании) The closest is the 2107 ЗНГ (двигатель 21213, 1,7 л, 8 кл., центральный впрыск) --- Post updated --- The brakes aren't fixed, still drums in the front and no model for discs
1.8 engine was in 2104. --- Post updated --- 1.2 version of 2107 was a prototype, not a public model.
