Lada Riva

Infobox Automobile


name = Lada Riva
manufacturer = AutoVAZ
production = 1980-Present
class =
body_style = 4-door sedan, 5-door estate
engine = 1.2 I4
1.3 I4
1.5 I4
1.6 I4 Petrol
1.7 I4 Diesel
length =
width =
height =
weight =
predecessor = VAZ-2101
successor =
aka =
related = Fiat 124
similar = Zastava SkalaThe Lada Riva is a medium-sized family car from Russian manufacturer AvtoVAZ, introduced in 1980 and sold under the Lada brand in saloon and estate car forms. It was marketed as the Lada Nova in some (but not all) European countries, and as the Lada 1500 and Lada Signet in Canada. In Brazil it was sold as the Lada Laika.

History

Although introduced in 1980, the Riva's origins are older: it is a restyled version of the Fiat 124-based Lada Type VAZ-2101 / "Zhiguli" saloon, which was introduced in 1970. The Riva itself is officially designated as VAZ-2105 (base saloon), VAZ-2104 (estate), and VAZ-2107 for the deluxe saloon with a large chrome grille, sometimes known (in Eastern Bloc countries) as the BA3-2105 (VAZ-2105), BA3-2107 (VAZ-2107), 'Pyatyorka' ('The Five') or Semyorka ('The Seven'). In Russia, VAZ-2105, VAZ-2104 and VAZ-2107 are considered to be different cars rather than variants. Nonetheless all of them are unofficially included in a single 'Klassika' ('Classic') family along with older models such as the VAZ-2101 'Kopeika'.

Mechanically, the car is virtually identical to the first generation VAZ-2101 model, featuring the Fiat-derived engines and transmissions, coil spring suspension all round and aluminium drum brakes on the rear wheels. The major mechanical changes came in the 1990s when single point fuel injection and catalytic converters were specified in an attempt to keep up with emissions legislation.

Tightening safety and emissions legislation led to the Riva being withdrawn from most Western European markets by 1997, although it is still in production at the AvtoVAZ factory in Russia. In 2005, production of the estate model was taken over by Izh, before assembly was transferred to the Bogdan Group's LuAZ plant. The 2107 model is still in production, not only at AutoVAZ but also at the ZAZ factory in Ukraine, and at Suzuki's factory in Egypt.

In the United Kingdom, the Lada Riva was one of the most popular budget offerings on sale. Its spartan interiors, dated styling and outdated mechanicals meant that it was never actually aimed at buyers of market leaders' similar-sized products such as the Ford Sierra, Vauxhall Cavalier and Austin Montego. It was a competitor for fellow East European and Far Eastern cars from makes like Skoda, Yugo, FSO and Hyundai. Sales were initially very strong, with Lada passing the 20,000 mark in Britain's car sales charts for the first time in 1987. The Riva was still selling well in the early 1990s, but a lack of changes at a time when the rest of the competition was coming up with more modern designs counted against the Riva's fortunes and its sales fell. Combined with the need to adapt the car to stricter emissions regulations, this led to it being withdrawn from Britain (along with the rest of the Lada range) in 1997.

Other Variations

Model variants included the Riva Signet, Riva 1200, Riva 1300, Riva 1500, and Riva 1600, with trim levels "E" and "L". A Turbo charged model Lada 2107 Turbo was sold in Finland.

Production at Suzuki Egypt

In Egypt, the Amal Foreign Trade Company and Lada's parent company AvtoVAZ signed a joint venture agreement to assemble Ladas for the North African market in 2000. However, as they did not have their own factory, space was found at a local Suzuki plant in Cairo to assemble the 2107 version of the Riva. As of 2006, production continued at Suzuki with an additional model, the 2110, being produced. Plans are under-way for a separate factory to open in Egypt later this year for Lada production. [Global Auto Index : [http://www.globalautoindex.com/maker.plt?no=2256&g=Lada Lada Egypt] ]

Image Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.ladaparts.ru/riva Lada Riva OEM diagrams, Riva manuals, parts]
* [http://www.ladacars.org/ Lada Cars reviews, images, infos] (English)