If you get a masterpiece right away, you can’t improve it! You can only ruin it. Apparently, AvtoVAZ is guided by this simple truth and protects the design of the Niva. The model, which was released in 1977, is still produced almost in the same form as its first copies came off the assembly line. The “stuffing” has changed: the interior has been modernized several times, the engine, gearbox, and suspension have been modernized. But the appearance of the Niva remains the same – canonical! The only serious restyling occurred in 1993, when the design of the rear lights of the SUV was changed: instead of the horizontal rectangles of the “six”, new vertical lights began to be installed.
And that’s all, in fact, if you don’t take into account the appearance of the five-door version (in the same 1993), which, however, has already been forgotten.
But even classics sometimes require new readings. And AvtoVAZ announced this year a three-stage modernization of its legendary model. In July, the Niva received improved noise insulation and solid plastic interior parts. This was the first stage. The third is expected closer to the end of the year: they plan to equip the SUV with a new, more modern engine (it is not yet known which one), and also add an airbag for the driver to the package. But the main changes have taken place now: Niva has finally, after almost 30 years, found a new face! Namely…
LED headlights and position lights (more precisely, in this case, position lights) and indicators in the original white colour. Previously, there were classic, yellow ones…
So that buyers, delighted with the new appearance, did not rush to burst into dealer showrooms and snatch up new Nivas, these radical changes were made at a cost. In fact, this is an option that will cost customers an additional 7,000 rubles. Moreover, it is not available for the basic, cheaper Classic version. Do you want a Niva with white eyelashes and fashionable optics? Get ready to take at least the Luxe package for 1,097,000 rubles.
We just have to wait for the details: exactly how much money AvtoVAZ invested in the redesign of the car’s exterior. And be patient and fantasize: what will the designers of the Russian auto giant come up with over the next 30 years to make their masterpiece even brighter?
ASK FOR PRICE
Price increases are just around the corner
The latest changes in the prices of AvtoVAZ products occurred less than a month ago: on August 14, prices for Niva and Grants rose (by 20-45 thousand rubles). The “restyling” of the SUV did not change its price: the basic version is still available at a price of 981,000 rubles, the most expensive (Black’24 version) – from 1,162,000 rubles. But experts warn that another increase is just around the corner.
“As always, it all comes down to the new recycling tariffs, which should come into force on October 1,” says Anton Shaparin, vice-president of the National Automobile Union. – Of course, AvtoVAZ will not stand aside and will also raise prices. But, of course, not by much, and it will also act taking into account competitors. The recycling fee implies an increase in tariffs from about 250,000 (for cars with engines up to 2 liters) to 2.3 million rubles (3.5 liters and more). The Chinese can either completely pass on this difference to their customers or try to partially compensate for it to the detriment of their own profits. If the first option works, I think that the prices for the same Nivas will increase by 100,000 rubles. More or less, the same applies to the rest of the AvtoVAZ line. But all this will happen gradually, so as not to anger people. You should not expect new prices right on October 1.
