Izh 2715

Lada Izhevsk (IzhAvto)
Company type	Manufacturer
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1972
Headquarters	Izhevsk, Soviet Union → Russia
Products	Light commercial vehicles (Izh 2715 series)

The Izh 2715 () series comprises a range of light commercial vehicles including panel vans and pickup trucks, manufactured by Soviet and later Russian company Lada Izhevsk (IzhAvto) from 1972 until 2001. These models, built on the Moskvitch 412 passenger car chassis and equipped with a 1.5-liter engine, became some of the most prevalent light commercial vehicles across the Soviet Union and were also exported globally starting in the late 1980s.

Introduction of the van and commencement of production

From 1968 to 1973, Lada Izhevsk produced the Moskvitch 433/434 van, which was a derivative of the Moskvitch 412 passenger vehicle. This design featured a low roof and rear hatch that restricted cargo accessibility and overall functionality. To enhance practicality, Izhevsk's engineering team developed prototypes by 1970 with a redesigned body featuring either a rectangular cargo compartment or a pickup bed; however, these early versions had an elevated center of gravity that necessitated additional improvements.

Following further modifications, production of the Izh 2715 van began, featuring an integrated cargo section as part of the lower body structure with an attached upper shell—allowing assembly on Moskvitch 412 manufacturing lines. The cargo space was expanded relative to earlier models, boasting a higher roof and symmetrical double rear doors, increasing cargo volume to 2.6 m³ compared to the previous 1.5 m³. Despite this, structural rigidity and sealing quality declined, limiting its effectiveness for certain types of freight. The vehicle included a partition separating the cabin from the cargo area with a window, and the spare tire was stored behind the front passenger seat. Payload capacity ranged from 350 to 400 kg.

The removable upper cargo section allowed conversion into a pickup-style body without a tailgate, though this configuration was seldom utilized. Production models featured reinforced body panels with horizontal grooves to enhance strength. Power was supplied by a 1.5-liter UZAM-412 gasoline engine delivering 75 hp, identical to that used in the Moskvitch 412, while the floor structure and suspension system remained mostly unchanged.

Initial manufacturing started in late 1972 with an output of 829 units; full-scale production commenced in 1973 with over 33,000 vehicles produced, rising to nearly 46,000 units by 1974. The model was also sold commercially under the name Izh 1500 GR.

Izh 27151 pickup truck

Introduced in 1974, the Izh 27151 pickup truck variant featured a tailgate and was primarily developed to meet export market demands since pickups were less favored domestically due to inferior protection against weather conditions and theft risk. Production volumes were lower than the van counterpart, with approximately 4,200 units built in 1974 and around 5,000 in 1975. Although rated for a payload of 400 kg nominally, practical capacity could reach between 500 and 600 kg. A vertical grille adorned the rear window of the cabin. Export versions—both vans and pickups—were equipped with upgraded trim including rectangular headlights resembling those on the Moskvitch 412, along with chrome grilles and bumpers; domestic models featured round headlights and body-colored trim elements. For international markets, pickups were branded as Moskvitch 1500 GR or Elite Pick Up in Western countries. The cargo bed measured 1,655 mm in length by 1,440 mm in width, with wheel arches spaced at 940 mm apart and a floor height of 565 mm.

Second generation – 1980s and 1990s

In 1982, Izh vehicles underwent minor updates in line with the Moskvitch 412 sedan's revisions. The refreshed vans and pickups were labeled Izh 2715-01 and Izh 27151-01. The front fascia was redesigned featuring a black metal grille, with turn signals and parking lights repositioned vertically beside it. Door handles became recessed, while model designations were embossed on the rear doors or tailgates. Enhancements included improved electrical systems and dual-circuit brakes; interiors received upgraded seating for greater comfort and relocated lighting controls. Payload capacity was increased by 50 kilograms. The standard powerplant shifted to a detuned UZAM-412DE engine producing 67 hp, calibrated to operate efficiently on lower-grade A-76 gasoline; export versions retained the previous engine setup and frequently came with rectangular headlights not found on sedans.

Also launched in 1982 was an extended wheelbase pickup (Izh 27151-013-01), primarily intended for export markets and produced until 1997. Although it exhibited handling difficulties when fully loaded, demand persisted—especially in Latin America and Finland—where it commonly featured rectangular headlamps. A stretched van variant designed for ambulance purposes was conceptualized in the early 1990s but never entered production.

Throughout the 1980s into the early 1990s, incremental modifications included replacing hinged triangular windows with fixed single-pane glass, moving side mirrors from fenders to doors, and redesigning cargo area reinforcements with window-like embossments. Rear bumpers evolved from dual bent pipes to a single straight pipe doubling as a step. Rear turn signals were integrated into horizontal light assemblies, accompanied by the addition of a central reversing light. A plastic front bumper was introduced in 1995 but was subsequently reverted to metal due to durability concerns.

Despite the arrival of the more contemporary yet initially problematic and costlier Izh 2717 van during the 1990s, production of the Izh 2715 continued until 2001 because of sustained market demand. In 2000, Agropromprogress developed an economical refrigerated body variant, positioning it as the most affordable refrigerated vehicle available within Russia.

Izh 27156

The Izh 27156, launched in 1988, was a cargo-passenger model equipped with two foldable two-person benches featuring backrests along the cargo compartment sides, large partially sliding side windows, and a sliding partition window between the driver's cabin and cargo area. Drawing inspiration from the French Matra Rancho, it lacked rear compartment heating and suffered from leaks that allowed exhaust gases and rainwater to enter. Despite these shortcomings, it gained practical popularity during the economic transition of the early 1990s, with production numbers rising from 536 units in 1990 to 4,260 by 1994. Nearly 20,000 units were manufactured by the end of its production run in 2001. Some initial models were produced without rear side windows due to component shortages, while users often retrofitted standard vans with additional glazing.

Sales and operation

Mass-produced Izh vans became widespread throughout the Soviet Union because of their practicality and distinctive tall silhouette, earning colloquial nicknames such as kabluk ("heel") and pirozhok ("little dumpling"), reflecting their frequent use in food delivery services. Within the Soviet planned economy framework, vans and pickups were categorized as means of production and thus restricted to institutional usage; private ownership was prohibited until the late 1980s. These vehicles saw extensive deployment within state enterprises and socialized trade networks, including specialized variants like RBTM workshop vehicles manufactured from 1982 for teams repairing electronic and household appliances. Izh vans were also exported to socialist countries lacking similar models as well as to markets in Greece, Finland, Latin America, and Africa where their affordability and robustness were valued.

With perestroika reforms in the late 1980s, limited private use of cargo-passenger vehicles such as the Izh 27156 became permissible. Following political shifts, all restrictions on commercial vehicle ownership were abolished. During the early 1990s economic transition period, these affordable Izh vans gained popularity among entrepreneurs and small-scale merchants engaged in business activities including cross-border trade. Although overall production declined, these models played a crucial role in maintaining operations at the IzhAvto plant throughout that challenging decade.

Technical specifications

Izh 2715:

Construction: steel unibody, two-door, seating for two occupants
Overall dimensions (length/width/height): 4,130/1,590/1,825 mm (height of pickup bed: 1,470 mm)
Wheelbase length: 2,400 mm
Track width (front/rear): 1,270/1,270 mm
Cargo area size (length/width/height): 1,600/1,440/1,160 mm
Vehicle curb weight: 1,015 kg (Izh 27156 variant: 1,095 kg)
Maximum gross weight: 1,615 kg
Ground clearance: 160 mm measured beneath axles
Engine details: UZAM-412DE carbureted inline four-cylinder OHC, liquid-cooled, front longitudinal installation powering rear wheels
Engine displacement: 1,478 cm³
Cylinder bore and stroke: 82 mm bore / 70 mm stroke
Peak power output: 67 hp (also available with 75 hp) at 5,800 rpm
Maximum torque: 100 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Compression ratio specification: 7.2:1
Carburetor types: K-126N or DAAZ-2140 models
Gearbox: four-speed manual transmission featuring synchronized forward gears
Final drive ratio: hypoid gear set at 4.22:1
Front suspension system: independent setup with transverse arms, coil springs, and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers
Rear suspension configuration: solid axle mounted on longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers
Braking system: front disc brakes and rear drum brakes; hydraulic vacuum-assisted dual-circuit design; mechanical parking brake acting on rear wheels
Tire dimensions: 165–330 (equivalent to 6.45–13)
Maximum velocity: 125 km/h
Fuel efficiency: consumes approximately 6.9 liters per 100 km at a steady speed of 80 km/h
Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h: approximately 19 seconds

References

Bibliography