Dreams about something more: the history of all-wheel drive on a VAZ

Many drivers would like to install all-wheel drive on a VAZ 2108 with their own hands. After all, it was this model of the front-wheel drive offspring of AvtoVAZ that turned out to be the most convenient for various modifications. In addition, this particular car is best suited for the role of an SUV. Thanks to its small dimensions, it climbs quite well even without any modifications. Also, the G8’s body is more resistant to higher settings. And this is an important indicator for any SUV.

Thus, this particular car is converted into both an SUV and other types of tuning.

Why is this necessary?

All-wheel drive on a VAZ 2108 is a do-it-yourself thing, but at the same time quite complicated. As a rule, the main problem arises with the fit of rear-wheel drive parts. Car enthusiasts overcome this inconvenience in different ways. Usually they use various assemblies from the transmission of real all-wheel drive SUVs. Most often you can find 2 options for a fitted transmission:

• Niva;
• Volkswagen Golf Syncro.

Moreover, the first one is somewhat less common. Indeed, in general, the transmission on Nivas cannot boast of ideal operation and high reliability.

Such modifications are usually done by people who love domestically produced cars. In addition, making a real SUV out of an ordinary car is considered a sign of superior skill among people who are fond of tuning. Many people make such modifications to comfortably overcome off-road conditions. Of course, such a car is not suitable for a serious raid, but you can easily just crawl through the mud.

This is a rather difficult option to remake. But it is quite possible to make an SUV from 2108 using Niva components. To do this you will need the following structural elements:

• Handout;
• Cardan;
• Rear bridge.

In addition, you will need a bunch of bolts and some small elements, also borrowed from the Niva. These include parts of the brake system and suspension.

The most difficult part of the preparation is the placement of the gimbal. It is located at a slight angle. Therefore, you will have to adjust it using the fitting method. A bridge is also being installed. The figure-of-eight beam fasteners do not fit under the bridge. In this regard, you will have to struggle with welding new fasteners suitable for the rear Niv axle. But in general, this will allow you to raise the car, increasing the ground clearance. You will also have to tinker with the transfer case. It is necessary to make additional gadgets.

To do this you will have to contact an experienced turner. You will also have to cut an additional hole for the transfer case control lever. The result is a good SUV.

Design

As for the design of the new Lada Granta 2022 car, it has undergone truly revolutionary changes. Among the main neoplasms are:

• The front part is created in the original style of the latest modifications of the concern. It is characterized by a powerful X-shaped bumper in dark colors, which is equipped with a radiator grille.

The modification of the grille includes three massive longitudinal elements, which provide dynamism and an original appearance. This shape allows you to significantly increase engine cooling.

• The head optics have become elongated and oblong; they are slightly pointed at the point where they merge with the grille.
• In the lower position of the bumper there are fog lights of a certain shape with a slight slope and wide air intakes.
• In place of the molding there is a regular-looking stamping, which, together with the side mirrors and sloping roof, provide stability and elegance to the appearance.
• At the rear, the shape of the headlights with black color inserts stands out effectively; it combines with the whole restyled image of the car.

Volkswagen Golf Syncro

The all-wheel drive installation of this car has its roots in Togliatti. After all, it was these components that were used to create and assemble all-wheel drive VAZs. These cars were called "Victoria". But, unfortunately, they did not go further than prototypes. To assemble an SUV yourself according to this scheme, you will need:

• Angular reducer;
• Rear axle gearbox;
• Viscous coupling;
• 4 axle shafts (VAZ).

This is enough to assemble a fully functional off-road vehicle. A feature of this type of transmission will be the transmission of force to the rear wheels through a viscous coupling. It works as follows. The coupling contains silicone fluid. As the load on the rear wheels increases, it heats up, its viscosity increases, and more torque is transmitted to them. Therefore, despite permanent all-wheel drive, the torque supplied to the wheels will vary depending on conditions.

To attach the rear axle shafts you will have to find a subframe from Golf Syncro. The cardan transmission is assembled from two axle shafts. From the box, torque is transmitted using an angular gearbox; it transmits force to the rear wheels through a viscous coupling. To attach these elements you will have to use a special plate. It should be done by an experienced turner. Perhaps this is the only thing that cannot be done in a simple garage. This plate is secured with bolts. You should also make a suspension for a homemade cardan. You can use the standard one from the classics.

As a result, you will get a great SUV. In terms of driving performance, it is not inferior to many light SUVs. You can safely drive such a car in almost any dirt. If everything is done correctly, then you can safely go even on serious hikes.

VAZ Tarzan-2

In 1999, it was decided to develop a new family of Tarzans, this time based on the Niva and VAZ-2111 station wagon and hatchback.

Tarzan-2 differed from the previous generation only in a couple of points:

• A new body from a VAZ-2111 or VAZ-2112 with a power body kit made of steel pipes on the sides and in front of the front and rear bumpers;
• Enlarged 15-inch wheels;
• New carburetor engines: 1.7-liter VAZ 21214-20 with 81 hp. or 1.8-liter VAZ 2130-20 with 86 hp. A small series of “Tarzan-2” was also produced, equipped with a 1.9 liter Peugeot diesel engine with a power of 80 hp.

But, despite all the efforts of the designers and engineers of the Scientific and Technical Center OPP AVTOVAZ and the Lada-Consul enterprise, who developed both generations of the VAZ Tarzan, the car was never able to gain popularity.

Firstly, it was an attempt to combine the incompatible - in terms of cross-country ability, Tarzan was seriously inferior even to the regular Niva, not to mention its modernized version, the Niva Lynx.

Secondly, due to the increased altitude, aerodynamics decreased and control at speed deteriorated.

And thirdly, as mentioned above, the price of the Lada Tarzan was 2 times higher than the price of a regular serial “nine” or “ten”. In addition, for the same money at that time you could buy an inexpensive Japanese or Korean SUV with low mileage, the comfort of which was an order of magnitude higher than that of the already obsolete VAZ-2109 or VAZ-2111.

Companies producing pickup trucks, vans, special vehicles based on VAZ passenger cars

The first company to start manufacturing pickup trucks and special models under the nickname “Heel” from VAZ cars is considered to be JSC “Production of Special Vehicles VIS-AUTO” (PSA VIS-AUTO), which exists under the current name, located in Tolyatti. For its products, it currently uses wheelbases from the Lada Granta and Lada 4x4 models. The main product range consists of platforms and vans, as well as armored and a large number of different rescue and fire fighting vehicles on an all-wheel drive basis.

The next major manufacturer of cars of this class is the Nizhny Novgorod Special Vehicles Plant (Promtekh LLC). The company uses the Lada Largus model for its vehicles. The same base is used by the company located in Zavolzhye (Nizhny Novgorod region), which produces medical service vehicles, isothermal vans and refrigerators. Another Nizhny Novgorod enterprise, Luidor, also produces ambulances and refrigerators using the Largus base.

Brake system

Front brakes are disc, rear brakes are drum. Although the brakes on the “two-wheeler” are quite mediocre and ineffective, owners most often do not complain about them, because repairs cost a small amount. The brake pedal is usually a little stiff, but the braking distance is acceptable.

Lada 2112 (1999–2008)

We will enter the remaining technical characteristics into the table.

When will the all-wheel drive Lada Vesta and X Rey go on sale?

Car enthusiasts who have acquired a taste for it, after the brilliant start of the front-wheel drive sedan, are looking forward to the announced crossover and Lada Vesta 4x4. There are no grounds for mistrust. So far, the company's new policy has not disappointed consumers and there is no doubt that promises will be fulfilled. What to expect from these “charged” versions? Why are these cars so desirable? The reasons are on the surface. The power of the car, and of course the price, which promises to be reasonable. The fact that the enterprise has reached a completely new technical level can already be considered a fait accompli.

A huge amount of work has been done to introduce the most advanced production methods. And most importantly, we have assembled a team that is unique in terms of professional training. This immediately affected the build quality. Products of high production standards come off the assembly line. Car enthusiasts will also be pleased with the variety of models. The upcoming all-wheel drive Lada X Ray Cross 4x4 becomes a hit even before its release.

A similar evolution awaits Vesta. 2022 promises to be very interesting, as presentations and sales of a number of new cars are planned.

Lada 2112