Lada 1300
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 1966 in Tolyatti, Soviet Union |
| Headquarters | Tolyatti , Soviet Union (now Russia) |
| Products | Automobiles, including VAZ-2101 ("Zhiguli") |
| Website | www |
The VAZ-2101, widely recognized as the "Zhiguli", and often referred to by the nickname "Kopeyka", is a compact four-door sedan or station wagon. Classified within the Soviet small passenger car category, it was manufactured by the Soviet company AvtoVAZ. Launched in 1970 as AvtoVAZ's inaugural model, this vehicle was a licensed adaptation of the Fiat 124, extensively redesigned to endure the challenging environments of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. For over twenty years, it was exported under the Lada marque to Western countries. The wagon version, derived from the Fiat 124 Familiare, was sold as the VAZ-2102.
Development
The Fiat 124, an Italian model awarded the 1967 European Car of the Year, served as the basis for a version modified to cope with Russia’s rugged roads and severe climate. Key adaptations included aluminium rear brake drums, substitution of Fiat’s original engine with an updated overhead camshaft design developed by NAMI, suspension raised for rough terrain navigation, and a reinforced steel body with thicker panels to enhance durability. Early editions were equipped with a manual starting crank for cold weather ignition and a hand-operated auxiliary fuel pump to support operation in Siberian conditions.
Certain enhancements introduced by VAZ engineers, such as reinforced chassis components, were later discreetly adopted by Fiat in its concluding production years of the "124R" variants. The initial Lada powertrains featured a 1.2L inline-four engine with two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft. The drivetrain utilized a straightforward rear-wheel-drive configuration with a live rear axle.
History
The 2101 represents a re-engineered iteration of the Fiat 124 manufactured under license from Fiat and customized for Eastern Bloc markets, while also being extensively exported as an affordable vehicle to Western countries. Although facelifted models like the VAZ-2105, 2104 & 2107 largely supplanted it in Western markets during the early 1980s, production for domestic consumers persisted until 1988. Known domestically as the Zhiguli, it featured substantial differences from the Fiat 124 including thicker gauge steel body panels, rear drum brakes replacing disc brakes, and a unique engine design. Early models also incorporated a manual starting crank and auxiliary fuel pump for cold climates.
Due to licensing restrictions imposed by Fiat, VAZ was prohibited from marketing this car in Italy or in territories competing directly with the Fiat 124. Nevertheless, exports to Western Europe commenced in 1974 following the discontinuation of the Fiat 124 in favor of the Fiat 131 Mirafiori. The 2101 was marketed under various names including Lada 1200, Lada 1300, Lada 1200S, and Lada 2101 up until 1989, positioned as an economical, no-frills automobile. It made its UK debut in May 1974 and remained available there until replaced by the Riva in 1983, marking Lada’s initial entry into that market.
Production started at 22,000 units during its first year and expanded to 660,000 by 1973. By December of that year, sales reached one million vehicles, climbing to one and a half million by 1974. The car was launched in Britain with a price tag of £979.
From its introduction in 1970 until 1982, the original 2101 saw minimal changes; an improved iteration known as the 21013 continued production until 1988.
VAZ-2101
- VAZ-2101 (1970–1982) — powered by an overhead camshaft engine distinct from Fiat’s original design, delivering , and reaching a maximum speed of . Compared to the Fiat 124, it incorporated approximately 800 modifications such as rear drum brakes replacing the discs, a suspension system with increased ground clearance, a different carburettor, a thicker steel body weighing , making it about heavier than the Fiat, and softer suspension tailored for uneven terrain. Early versions featured a manual crank start and an auxiliary fuel pump. Demand greatly exceeded supply, resulting in customers often waiting several years to acquire one. Export shipments commenced in February 1971 to countries including Yugoslavia, Finland, Holland, and Belgium. The name Lada was selected in September 1971 following a public contest; export versions were marketed as Lada 1200s. Production initially struggled to meet demand but improved by 1980, reducing waiting periods to one year. The estate variant (2102) began production in April 1972. Major export destinations included Cuba starting in 1971 and Canada from 1978, with Angola becoming a significant purchaser by the late 1970s.
- 21011 (1974–1981) — featured an upgraded engine. Enhancements included self-adjusting rear drum brakes, redesigned front indicators and rear lights incorporating reflectors, rubber bumper strips replacing over-riders, a foot-operated windshield washer pump, wood-effect dashboard trim, improved seating, and updated instrument panel illumination. Exported under the name Lada 1300.
- 21012 — right-hand drive sedan fitted with a four-cylinder engine introduced in May 1973 for export markets such as Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- 21013 (1977–1988) — closely resembled the VAZ-21011 but equipped with a engine; exported as Lada 1200 featuring upgraded exterior styling and dashboard known as Lada 1200S.
- 21014 — estate version with a engine launched in May 1973 aimed at export markets including Japan and Britain.
- 21016 (1976–1981) — specialized police model fitted with a engine sourced from the VAZ-2103.
- 21018 (1978) — rotary engine prototype designed for Soviet police and KGB use, featuring a single-rotor Wankel engine with electronic ignition; only about 250 units produced due to reliability problems.
- 21019 Arkan (circa 1983) — second-generation rotary engine model developed for Soviet security agencies equipped with twin-rotor Wankel engines.
VAZ-2102
The station wagon variant of the VAZ-2101 (based on the Fiat 124 Familiare) was designated as the 2102, introduced in 1971 and succeeded by the 2104 (marketed as Lada Riva in certain regions) in 1985. Production exceeded 660,000 units by 1986. It entered the UK market in May 1974 with a retail price of £979.
- VAZ-2102 (1971–1986) — also known as Lada 1200 Combi or 1200 ES Estate.
- VAZ-21021 (1974–1985) — powered by a 1,294 cc engine; also referred to as Lada 1300 Combi. Export versions included rear washer/wiper systems.
- VAZ-21023 (1973–1985) — equipped with a larger 1,452 cc engine; marketed as Lada 1500 Combi or 1500 DL Estate. Sold in the UK from October 1977 through October 1985.
VAZ-2103
The VAZ-2103 (sold abroad as Lada 1500) bore strong resemblance to the VAZ-2101 but incorporated styling cues inspired by the more upscale Fiat 125, including quad headlights and a more angular grille design. In some markets, the VAZ-2106 (Lada 1600) was also offered, providing enhanced specifications.
Technical specifications
| Model | VAZ-2101 | VAZ-21011 |
|---|---|---|
| Unladen weight | 890 kg | |
| Curb weight | 945 kg | 1010 kg |
| Maximum authorized weight | 1345 kg | 1400 kg |
| Overall length | 4073 mm | |
| Overall width | 1611 mm | |
| Overall height | 1440 mm | |
| Wheelbase length | 2424 mm | |
| Front track width | 1349 mm | |
| Rear track width | 1305 mm | |
| Ground clearance (loaded) | 170 mm | |
| Minimum turning circle diameter | 5.6 m | |
| Approach angle (front) | 36 ° | |
| Departure angle (rear) | 17 ° | |
| Tire size | 114-330 mm (4½-13 in) | |
| Engine designation | VAZ-2101 | VAZ-21011 |
| Engine configuration | Water-cooled, inline four-cylinder Otto cycle, counterflow cylinder head, overhead camshaft driven by duplex chain | |
| Fuel delivery system | Two-stage downdraft carburetor model 2101-1107010-02 | |
| Engine displacement | 1198 cm3 | 1294 cm3 |
| Cylinder bore × stroke | 76 mm × 66 mm | 79 mm × 66 mm |
| Compression ratio <math>\varepsilon</math> | 8.5:1 | 8.8:1 |
| 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 (8.9 kp·m) at 3400 rpm" | "93 N·m (9.5 kp·m) at 3400 rpm" |
|- ! style=text-align:left |Fuel grade
|colspan=2 |Petrol AI-93 GOST 2084-67 |- ! style=text-align:left |Maximum speed |140 km/h |145 km/h |- ! style=text-align:left |Acceleration (0–100 km/h) |22 s |18 s |- ! style=text-align:left |Braking distance (from 80 km/h) |38 m | |- ! style=text-align:left |Combined fuel consumption (l/100 km) |8.0 l |9.0 l |- ! style=text-align:left |Hill climbing ability (1st gear) |34 % | |- ! style=text-align:left |Fuel tank capacity |colspan=2 |39 l |}