Lada 2101
| Company type | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | April 1, 1966 |
| Headquarters | Tolyatti , Soviet Union |
| Products | Automobiles (including VAZ-2101) |
The VAZ-2101, known as the "Zhiguli" and affectionately called "Kopeyka" (named after the smallest Soviet coin), is a compact four-door sedan or station wagon manufactured by the Soviet company AvtoVAZ. It was introduced in 1970 as the firm's inaugural vehicle.
This model is a licensed adaptation of the Fiat 124, extensively reengineered to withstand the severe weather and challenging road conditions found throughout the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. For over twenty years, it was exported to Western countries under the Lada brand. The wagon version, derived from the Fiat 124 Familiare, was marketed as the VAZ-2102.
Development
The Italian Fiat 124, a lightweight car that earned the 1967 European Car of the Year award, was modified to meet the demands of Russian terrain and climate. Notable alterations included aluminium rear brake drums, substitution of Fiat's original engine with an advanced overhead camshaft powerplant developed by NAMI, elevated suspension to handle rough surfaces, and a reinforced steel body shell that was thickened following durability testing which uncovered cracking issues. Early editions were equipped with a manual starting handle to assist battery failures in Siberian winters and featured a manual auxiliary fuel pump to facilitate cold starts.
Certain enhancements implemented by VAZ engineers, such as chassis reinforcement, were later incorporated by Fiat into its final production series, internally known as "124R" ("R" standing for Russian).
The initial Lada 2101 employed a rear-wheel-drive configuration with a live rear axle and inline four-cylinder engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 liters, featuring two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft.
History
The 2101 represents a reworked iteration of the Fiat 124, produced under Fiat’s license and customized for markets within the Eastern Bloc. It also gained significant export presence in Western countries as an economical vehicle. Although facelifted models such as the VAZ-2105, 2104 & 2107 gradually replaced it in Western markets during the early 1980s, production for domestic consumers persisted until 1988. Known domestically as Zhiguli, it differed from the Fiat 124 by utilizing thicker steel for its body panels, rear drum brakes instead of discs, and a unique engine design. Early versions included features like a manual starting crank for frigid environments and an auxiliary fuel pump.
Under Fiat’s licensing terms, VAZ was prohibited from selling this vehicle in Italy or exporting it to countries where it would directly compete with the Fiat 124. Nevertheless, exports to Western Europe commenced in 1974 after Fiat ceased production of the 124 in favor of the newer 131 Mirafiori. The 2101 was marketed abroad under names including Lada 1200, Lada 1300, and Lada 2101 until 1989, positioned as an affordable, no-frills automobile. It entered the UK market in May 1974 and remained available until replaced by the Riva model in 1983, marking Lada’s initial foray into this region.
Production began at 22,000 units in its first year and expanded to a capacity of 660,000 vehicles by 1973. By December of that year, sales had reached one million units, climbing to one and a half million in 1974. Upon its British launch in May 1974, it was priced at £979.
The original 2101 design remained largely unchanged from its debut in 1970 until 1982. The improved 21013 variant continued manufacturing until 1988.
VAZ-2101
- VAZ-2101 (1970–1982) — powered by an overhead camshaft engine distinct from Fiat’s design, delivering and achieving a maximum speed of . In comparison to the Fiat 124, it incorporated roughly 800 alterations such as rear drum brakes instead of discs, a suspension with increased ground clearance, thicker steel panels resulting in a weight of , which is heavier than the Fiat by , and modifications tailored for severe Russian weather conditions. Initial versions included features like a manual crank and an auxiliary fuel pump. Production struggled to meet demand, causing extended waiting periods; exports commenced in February 1971 starting with Yugoslavia, followed by shipments to Finland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The export brand name "Lada" was adopted in September 1971 following a public naming contest.
- 21011 (1974–1981) — came with a engine producing , self-adjusting rear drum brakes, redesigned bumpers featuring rubber strips instead of over-riders, upgraded lighting assemblies with built-in reflectors, a foot-operated windshield washer pump, dashboard trim with a wood-effect finish, enhanced seating, and updated instrument panel colors and illumination. Exported internationally as the Lada 1300.
- 21012 — right-hand drive sedan fitted with a engine, manufactured from May 1973 for export markets including Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- 21013 (1977–1988) — closely related to the VAZ-21011 but equipped with a engine; exported under the name Lada 1200. An improved variant called Lada 1200S featured exterior refinements and dashboard enhancements.
- 21014 — station wagon version powered by a engine produced since May 1973 targeting principal export destinations.
- 21016 (1976–1981) — specialized police edition fitted with a engine sourced from the VAZ-2103 model.
- 21018 (1978) — the first rotary-engine model designed for Soviet police and KGB use, featuring a single-rotor Wankel engine with electronic ignition; only about 250 units were manufactured due to reliability concerns.
- 21019 Arkan (circa 1983) — second-generation rotary model equipped with twin-rotor Wankel engines intended for Soviet official use.
These models illustrate Lada’s approach of modifying core platforms for various markets while developing specialized versions for governmental applications.
VAZ-2102
The estate variant derived from the VAZ-2101 and inspired by the Fiat 124 Familiare was designated as the 2102. Production spanned from 1971 until it was succeeded by the 2104 (marketed as the Lada Riva in some regions) in 1985. By the conclusion of its manufacturing run in 1986, over 660,000 units had been produced. It entered the British market in May 1974 priced at £979.
- VAZ-2102 (1971–1986) — also referred to as Lada 1200 Combi or 1200 ES Estate.
- VAZ-21021 (1974–1985) — powered by a 1,294 cc engine and known as Lada 1300 Combi; export versions included rear washer/wiper systems.
- VAZ-21023 (1973–1985) — equipped with a 1,452 cc engine and marketed as Lada 1500 Combi or 1500 DL Estate; exported models featured rear washer/wiper systems. The UK market received the Lada 1500 DL Estate from October 1977 until October 1985.
VAZ-2103
The VAZ-2103—sold internationally as the Lada 1500—bore strong resemblance to the 2101 but incorporated styling cues from the Fiat 124 Special alongside trim elements inspired by the more premium Fiat 125. It is recognizable by its four-headlight configuration, more squared-off grille design, and an upgraded interior cabin. Certain markets also offered the VAZ-2106 (known as Lada 1600).
Technical specifications
| Model | VAZ-2101 | VAZ-21011 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unladen weight | 890 kg | ||
| Curb weight | 945 kg | 1010 kg | |
| Maximum allowed weight | 1345 kg | 1400 kg | |
| Overall length | 4073 mm | ||
| Width | 1611 mm | ||
| Height | 1440 mm | ||
| Wheelbase length | 2424 mm | ||
| Front track width | 1349 mm | ||
| Rear track width | 1305 mm | ||
| Ground clearance (fully loaded) | 170 mm | ||
| Minimum turning circle diameter | 5.6 m | ||
| Approach angle (front) | 36 ° | ||
| Departure angle (rear) | 17 ° | ||
| Tire dimensions | 114-330 mm (4½-13 in) | ||
| Engine designation | VAZ-2101 | VAZ-21011 | |
| Engine configuration | Water-cooled, inline four-cylinder Otto engine, 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) | |||
| max. torque (GOST–14846) | (87 N·m at 3400 rpm) | (93 N·m at 3400 rpm) | |
| Recommended fuel | "Petrol AI-93 GOST 2084-67" | "Petrol AI-93 GOST 2084-67" | |
| Maximum speed | "140 km/h" | "145 km/h" | |
| Acceleration (0–100 km/h) | "22 seconds" | "18 seconds" | |
| Braking distance (from 80 km/h) | "38 meters" | ||
| Fuel consumption (combined cycle) | "8.0 l/100 km" | "9.0 l/100 km" | |
| Hill climbing ability (1st gear) | "34 %" | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | "39 liters" | "39 liters" | |
| Reference source | |||