Launched the Lada Niva SUV with a fresh 90 hp engine, with plans to begin sales in 2024. This information comes from Public Avtograd News on the social platform VKontakte. A more powerful 122-hp version is also expected to follow, widening the lineup for drivers who want added performance.
According to industry insiders, the Niva line should offer two engine options — 90 hp and 122 hp — to meet different needs. Production is anticipated to start in 2024, and the development is attributed to the Lada Sport division, which has been driving the project forward.
AvtoVAZ is currently conducting field tests of the Lada Niva equipped with the 90 hp engine. The test runs are taking place at a training ground near the village of Sosnovka, close to Samara. Alongside the Niva, tests continue on other models such as the Largus, Vesta, and Granta, all fitted with an updated eight valve 1.6-liter engine. After modernization in 2021 this powerplant delivers 90 hp and a torque of 143 Nm, a boost that supports the vehicles in everyday driving and tougher conditions alike.
There is also mention of SAIPA, the Iranian automobile brand, looking to organize production of its cars in Russia. While these plans speak to a broader wave of joint ventures and local manufacturing, the focus for now remains on the Lada Niva and its evolving engine lineup. [Source: Public Avtograd News via VKontakte; industry reports compiled for this overview]