Algodoo

Niva (also known by the names of the VAZ-2121 and LADA 4x4) - Soviet and Russian terrain vehicle - a small class coupe with a monocoque body and permanent all-wheel drive.

Commercially produced from 5 April 1977 to the present time (until 2006 - sold under the brand VAZ-2121 "Niva", is currently marketed under the brand LADA 4x4).

In the years 1969-1970 the chief designer of VAZ VS Soloviev came out with an initiative on the development of off-road vehicle for the rural areas. His proposal was the result of study of the so-called "facial features" Minavtoproma USSR for 1971-1980 years, at that time delegated IMZ (IzhMash). Already prototypes AZLK-415 and -416 and Iz-14 have been established, but these cars were not ready for mass production.

Summer of 1970, Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers Alexei Kosygin put before teams VAZ, AZLK and Izhmash task of creating a road vehicle with the comfort of the mass passenger models. In particular, according to the memoirs of the participants in the OGC (chief designer department) on the WHA, after showing him a metal-gypsum layout "car number 2" (luxury version of "Lada", then VAZ-2103), he said the following:

"Working with Fiat on this end (as is caused by the contract), and more will have to rely only on themselves. So, your first step should be an independent creation of car-terrain based on the "Lada" for our villagers. And they unwittingly deprived - millions of citizens, we shall now give a modern passenger car, and it is not very suitable for the village, especially for our "heartland". "