VAZ-2105: The Modernized Zhiguli Tale

with square eyes

The chassis indicates that the VAZ-2105 did not differ from the earlier Zhiguli.

The VAZ-2105 marks the first major modernization of the Zhiguli line. As prestigious as the six-cylinder model was, its exterior resembled a luxury version of the VAZ-2103. When the VAZ-2105 debuted in 1980, it not only looked fresh, it carried the aura of a car from abroad.

In 1980 the five appeared distinctly modern. It stood out thanks to a clean, contemporary design. New doors and handles, new front and rear bodywork, oversized aluminum bumpers, and the first rectangular USSR headlights integrated with turn signals and large taillights created a striking look under a single glass. Those headlights quickly earned praise from buyers who had previously driven other Soviet cars.

Beyond the new headlights, lighting in general was upgraded. Inside, the five featured a stylish instrument panel and a bold steering wheel with a substantial center hub that felt more progressive than earlier Zhiguli models.

The cabin of the VAZ-2105 won broad appeal among Soviet drivers. The molded door panels and the new seats with prominent headrests, larger than those in the Niva and the VAZ-2106, were particularly popular. The five was the first Soviet car to offer front doors without vents and to include a mirror adjustable from the passenger compartment, initially installed only on the left side.

The VAZ-2105 also introduced a new instrument cluster and steering wheel. Its rise reshaped the standing of the VAZ-2106 among the most coveted Zhiguli models of the era.

Never a FIAT!

Savvy motorists saw similarities between the five and the FIAT 131 Mirafiori, which had debuted in 1974 and was updated in 1978. This marked the first major leap of the FIAT 124/125 family that influenced the Zhiguli line. In overall styling, the VAZ-2105 bore some resemblance to the FIAT 131, though differences remained clear. The body panels, bumpers, and door handles of the Italian car differed, and the headlights did not align with the turn signals. The steering wheel and instrument panel of the VAZ-2105 also diverged from the FIAT 131. Notably, the five introduced deflectors to blow air across the side windows for the first time in the Zhiguli.

In terms of chassis, the two cars diverged significantly. The FIAT 131 used a MacPherson front suspension with springs and shock absorbers forming a rear strut arrangement, while the VAZ-2105 shared the basic Zhiguli chassis design. The Italian Twin Cam engine carried a double overhead camshaft, whereas the five employed a new, distinct engine design.

Give a belt

The VAZ-2105 engine featured a timing belt drive. This was an important difference from the earlier Zhiguli and marked the USSRs first such belt-driven configuration. Earlier experiments in the VAZ-E1101 series explored similar belt-driven layouts. The goal was to reduce metal use and noise while keeping the engine closely aligned with the prior layout.

The VAZ-2105 engine powered the five with a 1.3 liter displacement (79 by 66 mm) and produced 69 horsepower at 5600 rpm. Reactions among drivers varied. The engine ran quietly, yet many viewed the belt as a reliability risk, worrying about a possible belt failure on the road. Initially, replacing the belt around 60 thousand kilometers was common practice.

Over time, standard 1.2 liter chain engines with 64 horsepower (VAZ-21051) and 1.5 liter engines with 77 horsepower (VAZ-21053) were introduced. The latter would become the most popular version, though some drivers remained satisfied with lower-powered options because the car retained its appeal.

In addition to foreign cars

The VAZ-2105, known abroad as Lada Riva and Lada Nova, enjoyed strong sales outside the Soviet Union. British commentators sometimes quipped that Lada was a car for dock workers or for those with a Che Guevara poster at home, yet they still acknowledged the model for its affordability and harmonious design.

The five drew less external tuning in the West due to its overall balance. On occasion, wheel rims, black moldings, or a sunroof appeared as minor updates. In the late 1980s, the Belgian importer Scaldia-Volga attempted to enhance the VAZ-2105 with a different radiator grille, larger bumpers, and higher sills, though the result was not widely adopted. A German variant offered a more striking look with a custom plastic body kit and single-color bumpers and side sills, later appearing in local forms as well.

exotic

The VAZ-21055 might have become the USSRs first serial diesel passenger car. Its naturally aspirated 1.5 liter engine produced about 53 horsepower. Yet the push at the time was toward the VAZ-2108, and the diesel version never entered production. Instead, another model, the four, emerged later and with its own adventures.

In 2002 a large VAZ dealer in Moscow, Eleks-Polyus, offered an expanded version of the VAZ-2105 alongside the VAZ-2104. The cars were intended for taxi work, but carrier fleets showed little interest.

Among the sports variants produced in Lithuania, Estonia, and even Czechoslovakia, the notable VAZ-2105 VFTS stood out for its 160 hp engine. The French project Poch built a four-wheel drive version for the Paris-Dakar rally around 1983–1987. The spaceframe chassis carried lightweight panels, and the engine sat behind the front seats. A 2.7 liter V6 developed roughly 300 hp, paired with a Niva-based four-wheel drive system.

Five to thirty!

In the long-life category among Soviet models, the VAZ-2105 earned a respectable rank, with production extending to 2010 and totaling over two million units. The line also expanded production beyond Tolyatti to plants in Kremenchug and Cairo. Over time, the sculpted door cards faded, the steering wheel was updated, and some later cars used a dashboard integrated with the seven. The later injection engine at 1.5 liters produced 70 horsepower. The once-chic charm of the five faded, leaving a clean, well-engineered design at a low price. The model ultimately closed its chapter as the most affordable option in the Russian market, while still remembered for its distinctive balance and practical engineering. [citation:historical records]