Lada 1200
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 1966 (exact founding date not specified, inferred from context) |
| Headquarters | Togliatti , Soviet Union (now Russia) |
| Products | Automobiles (including VAZ-2101 "Zhiguli") |
The VAZ-2101, widely known as the "Zhiguli" and often referred to by the nickname "Kopeyka", is a compact four-door sedan or station wagon categorized as a small passenger vehicle within the Soviet classification system. Manufactured by AvtoVAZ starting in 1970, it marked the company's very first automobile model.
Derived from a licensed and significantly reengineered Fiat 124, the VAZ-2101 was specifically modified to withstand the severe conditions of Soviet roads and climate. For more than twenty years, it was successfully exported to Western countries under the Lada marque. The wagon variant, based on the Fiat 124 Familiare, was sold as the VAZ-2102.
Development
The Fiat 124 from Italy, which earned the title of 1967 European Car of the Year, underwent substantial redesigns to meet Russia’s demanding driving environments. These adaptations featured thicker steel panels with reinforced chassis sections to enhance durability, elevated suspension systems for rough terrain, and aluminium rear brake drums. The original Fiat powerplant was replaced by a novel overhead camshaft engine engineered by NAMI, exclusive to this model.
Additional cold-weather adaptations included a manual auxiliary fuel pump and an initial hand-crank starter designed to assist with battery failures in Siberian winters—both later phased out. Certain enhancements made by VAZ engineers, such as chassis reinforcement, were eventually incorporated by Fiat during its final production phase under the internal code "124R."
The initial VAZ-2101 employed a rear-wheel-drive configuration with a live rear axle and an inline-four engine featuring two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft, beginning with a 1.2-liter displacement.
History
The 2101 represents a licensed and reengineered version of the Fiat 124, customized for Eastern Bloc countries while also being exported as an economical car to Western markets. Although it was superseded in Western Europe by the facelifted VAZ-2105, 2104 & 2107 series during the early 1980s, production continued domestically until 1988. Known in the Soviet Union as the Zhiguli, it incorporated thicker steel gauge bodywork, rear drum brakes instead of disc brakes, and a unique engine design. Early units were equipped with a manual starting crank for cold starts and an auxiliary fuel pump.
Under Fiat’s licensing terms, VAZ was prohibited from selling this model in Italy or competing against the Fiat 124 in export markets; nevertheless, exports to Western Europe commenced in 1974 following discontinuation of the Fiat 124. The vehicle was marketed under various names including Lada 1200, Lada 1300, Lada 1200S, and Lada 2101 up until 1989 as an affordable, no-frills option. It became the first Lada available in the United Kingdom starting May 1974 until it was replaced by the Riva in 1983.
Initial output totaled 22,000 units in its debut year, expanding to an annual capacity of 660,000 by 1973. By December of that year, sales had reached one million vehicles and climbed to one and a half million in 1974. The car was introduced to the British market at a price of £979 in May 1974.
From its launch in 1970 until 1982, the original 2101 remained largely unchanged, while the improved 21013 variant stayed in production through to 1988.
VAZ-2101
- VAZ-2101 (1970–1982) — featured an overhead camshaft engine delivering , achieving a maximum speed of and accelerating to in about 20 seconds. Compared to the Fiat 124, roughly 800 alterations were implemented, including rear drum brakes replacing discs, suspension with increased ground clearance, thicker body panels resulting in a weight of , and modifications to endure harsh Russian weather conditions. Initial versions included a manual crank starter and an auxiliary fuel pump. Production demand at the Togliatti facility surpassed supply, leading to extended waiting periods. Export shipments commenced in February 1971, initially reaching Yugoslavia, then expanding to Finland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The export brand name "Lada" was adopted in September 1971; exported units were marketed as Lada 1200s. The station wagon variant (2102) began manufacturing in April 1972. Significant export destinations included Cuba (from 1971), Canada (starting in 1978), and Angola (since 1977). The model was not exported to the United States.
- 21011 (1974–1981) — powered by a engine producing , equipped with self-adjusting rear drum brakes, updated exterior features such as flat front indicators and rubber bumper strips, and an enhanced dashboard featuring wood-effect trim and revised instrument panel lighting. Exported under the name Lada 1300.
- 21012 — a right-hand drive sedan with a engine manufactured from May 1973 for export markets including Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- 21013 (1977–1988) — closely resembling the VAZ-21011 but fitted with a engine; exported as Lada 1200 with an improved Lada 1200S version.
- 21014 — station wagon model equipped with a engine produced from May 1973 for international sales.
- 21016 (1976–1981) — specialized police version powered by the engine from the VAZ-2103.
- 21018 (1978) — rotary engine variant designed for Soviet police and KGB use, featuring a single-rotor Wankel engine; production was limited to only 250 units due to reliability concerns.
- 21019 Arkan (circa 1983) — second-generation rotary model with a twin-rotor Wankel engine intended for law enforcement applications.
VAZ-2102
The VAZ-2102 is the estate counterpart of the VAZ-2101 (derived from the Fiat 124 Familiare), produced between 1971 and 1986 with over 660,000 units manufactured. It was later replaced by the 2104, which was marketed as the Lada Riva in certain regions. The model debuted in the UK market in May 1974 at a price of £979. Notable variants include:
- VAZ-2102 (1971–1986) — also referred to as Lada 1200 Combi or 1200 ES Estate.
- VAZ-21021 (1974–1985) — equipped with a 1,294 cc engine; export versions featured rear washer/wiper systems and were sold as Lada 1300 Combi.
- VAZ-21023 (1973–1985) — powered by a 1,452 cc engine; exported models included rear washer/wipers and were marketed as Lada 1500 Combi or 1500 DL Estate. UK availability spanned from October 1977 through October 1985.
VAZ-2103
The VAZ-2103 (exported under the name Lada 1500) shared numerous parts with the VAZ-2101 and was developed concurrently with the Fiat 124 Special. It featured unique design elements such as four headlights and a more angular grille, resembling the upscale styling of the Fiat 125. In some markets, the VAZ-2106 (Lada 1600) was also available.
Technical specifications
| Specification | VAZ-2101 | VAZ-21011 |
|---|---|---|
| Dry weight | 890 kg | |
| Curb weight | 945 kg | 1010 kg |
| Maximum permissible weight | 1345 kg | 1400 kg |
| Length | 4073 mm | |
| Width | 1611 mm | |
| Height | 1440 mm | |
| Wheelbase | 2424 mm | |
| Front track width | 1349 mm | |
| Rear track width | 1305 mm | |
| Ground clearance (fully loaded) | 170 mm | |
| Turning circle radius | 5.6 m | |
| Approach angle (front) | 36 ° | |
| Departure angle (rear) | 17 ° | |
| Tire size | 114-330 mm (4½-13 in) | |
| Engine code | VAZ-2101 | VAZ-21011 |
| Engine configuration | Water-cooled inline-four Otto cycle, counterflow cylinder head with duplex-chain driven overhead camshaft | |
| Fuel system | Two-stage downdraught carburetor type 2101-1107010-02 | |
| Displacement volume | 1198 cm3 | 1294 cm3 |
| Bore × Stroke dimensions | 76 mm × 66 mm | 79 mm × 66 mm |
| Compression ratio <math>\varepsilon</math> | 8.5 | 8.8 |
| Power output (GOST–14846) | 46 kW (62 PS) at 5600 rpm | 51 kW (69 PS) at 5600 rpm |
| Power output (DIN 70020) | 44 kW (60 PS) at 5600 rpm | 48 kW (65 PS) at 5600 rpm |
| Power output (SAE J1349) | 48 kW (65 PS) at 5600 rpm | |
| Maximum torque (GOST–14846) | 87 N·m at 3400 rpm | 93 N·m at 3400 rpm |
| Fuel type used | Petrol AI-93 GOST 2084-67 | |
| Top speed | 140 km/h | 145 km/h |
| Acceleration from zero to100 km/h | 22 s | 18 s |
| Braking distance from80 km/h | 38 m | |
| Fuel consumption combined cycle | 8.0 l/100 km | 9.0 l/100 km |
| Gradeability in first gear | 34 % | |
| Fuel tank capacity | 39 l | |