Tag Archives: Lada

Motorsport

This Lifted Lada On Portal Axles Fears Nothing

You know once you see a janky Lada with ft of floor clearance bashing via the mud on the web, you are in for time.

This Lada was put collectively by the oldsters on the Russian-language Garage 54 YouTube channel. Thanks to a set of customized portal axles on the rear, there are roughly 300 millimeters of clearance (about one foot) between the automotive and the bottom. That’s far more than a Lada sedan, and even a bit greater than a Ford Bronco with the Sasquatch package deal. Provided this setup holds collectively, this might be a surprisingly succesful off-roader. At the very least, oil adjustments can be simpler.

Lada On Custom Portal Axles

A typical portal axle setup sees energy from the engine finally going to a prime sprocket, which then meshes with a gear mounted decrease that drives the wheel. In true Garage 54 trend, the highest and backside sprockets are spaced manner out for extra journey peak and are linked by a motorbike chain. And as an alternative of enclosing the chain for security, it is left open to the weather so we will all see the second it fails. But alas, that second by no means arrives.

Instead, the Lada goes soft-roading in some rutted parking tons earlier than heading down a terrifically muddy (and tough) street. It passes the modest endurance take a look at with flying colours, at which level obstacles are introduced forth. Three tires are stacked on the muddy street, then 4, and at last the armchair is introduced in as a result of who would not wish to drive over a chair in a Lada? Oh, did we point out there aren’t any rear brakes?

The video concludes with a proclamation that the modified sedan “reliable,” which may imply something on this context. There’s no denying the success of this proof-of-concept, although. Here’s to hoping we get a sequel to this journey with a four-wheel-drive model as a result of truthfully, we would like to see it go full monster truck and drive over a automotive. If that does not occur, we at all times have the Lada on legs to maintain us pleased.

Motorsport

The 47-Year-Old Lada Niva Lives To See 2024 With Fancy Features Like ABS

Much just like the not too long ago updated Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series, the Lada Niva refuses to die. Despite being round since 1977, Lada remains to be buliding the spartan off-roader and it is even getting an replace for 2024.

One of the massive updates AvtoVAZ is bringing again is anti-lock brakes, after having to briefly discontinue ABS following sanctions in opposition to Russia. When meeting resumed in mid-2022, the Niva did away with airbags, ABS, and different important options vehicles have had for a lot of many years. Now, anti-lock brakes are again for 2024 for each the basic Niva Legend and the Niva Travel.

In case you are unfamiliar with the latter, that automotive has been round since 1998 because the VAZ-2123 earlier than being rebadged the Chevrolet Niva in 2003. When the GM-AvtoVAZ collaboration resulted in 2020, the no-frills SUV was rebranded because the Niva Travel.


Motorsport

Toyota-Powered Lada Niva Is Super Capable V8 Dune Crawler

# Toyota-Powered Lada Niva Is Super Capable V8 Dune Crawler

The Lada Niva was first introduced in 1977, designed to be a rugged car suitable for Russia’s rural areas. It was essentially a Renault 5 built on a Land Rover chassis, resulting in a hatchback-style crossover with impressive off-road capabilities. Although the Niva has undergone some changes over the years, the current model sold in Russia remains largely unchanged from the original version. However, one off-road enthusiast felt that the factory qualities of the Niva were not enough for serious dune crawling, so he decided to modify every aspect of the vehicle.

In the video at the top of this page, we meet Andries from South Africa and his modified Lada Niva. The small off-roader hasn’t been particularly popular in the country, but in the 1980s and 1990s, Lada officially imported several versions of the Niva into South Africa. These vehicles are now hard to find on the used car market, and sourcing parts has become increasingly difficult. This presented the perfect opportunity for Andries to install a new engine under the hood.

Andries decided to replace the original four-cylinder gas engine with a 4.0-liter 90-degree V8 from a first-generation Lexus LS. While not the most powerful engine, the V8 is known for its reliability. In its early years, it produced 254 horsepower (191 kilowatts), although Andries says the peak power of his modified Niva is slightly lower. However, the engine can be revved to the redline without any worries of overheating or stalling.

Why didn’t Andries opt for more power? Simply because it is challenging to find a transmission and differential that can handle the increased horsepower from the Lexus V8 engine. Instead, Andries focused on modifying the suspension to enhance the Niva’s performance in mud and sand. Combined with lifted suspension and Maxxis off-road tires, this once humble Niva is now a formidable rock- and dune-crawling monster. Watch the video above for the full story.