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AvtoVAZ presented an updated Lada Niva Legend at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Despite the familiar exterior, this is one of the most significant technical updates to the legendary SUV in recent years.
The main change is hidden under the hood. The Niva Legend received a new 1.8-liter eight-valve engine, which is already used in the Niva Travel. Its power has increased to 90 hp, and the maximum torque reaches 153 Nm. For a model that has been equipped with a 1.7-liter engine for decades, this is an important update: low-end torque has increased, which is especially important off-road.
Along with the engine, engineers modernized the transmission and chassis. A refined gearbox, a stiffer anti-roll bar, and an updated transfer case design are reported. The SUV also received ergonomic improvements, which AvtoVAZ spoke about even before the premiere.
External changes affected the taillights — now they are LED, a new bumper, radiator grille, and fog lights appeared. Inside, the updates include a new instrument panel, steering wheel with an airbag, steering column switches, climate control unit, and a height-adjustable seat.
The Niva remains one of the few models on the market with permanent all-wheel drive, a low-range gear, and a unibody at the same time. That is why even small technical changes significantly affect its off-road behavior.
For buyers, this means a more modern and comfortable SUV without abandoning the classic design. If the updates prove their effectiveness in operation, the Niva Legend could get a second wind amid growing interest in affordable vehicles for travel and off-road.