Interior and Exterior Upgrades Anticipated for the Lada Niva Line
Early reports describe first-stage changes focusing on the vehicle’s interior. The new panels are said to be solid and molded plastic rather than the current vacuum-formed construction. The front floor area will gain integrated sound insulation, boosting cabin quietness. In addition, wheel arches will use wood-filled polypropylene, a material previously seen on models like the Vesta and Grant during the Renault collaboration era. These interior and chassis refinements are slated to begin in spring 2023.
The second phase introduces LED daytime running lights and taillamps, along with an electric headlight adjuster. Notably, the headlights themselves will remain halogen. The target completion for this stage is the end of 2023.
The third phase envisions a more powerful engine for the front-wheel-drive variant, which will sit on a reinforced subframe. There is speculation that a dedicated subframe could appear behind the transfer case. Transmission components will stay structurally similar but receive reinforcement. One possibility is replacing a CV joint with a more robust, albeit bumpier, cardan joint. Reports also indicate that a four-satellite differential on the rear axle is not planned for the upcoming model cycle.
Many of these changes are expected to be tested on the compact Niva Sport, which is planned for release in 2023.
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Note: This summary reflects industry and media reports current at the time of writing.