Crossed out "Field", type "Chevrolet"

ONE of the big news last week was the decision of the Board of Directors of the American automotive corporation "General Motors" (GM) to create a joint venture with "AvtoVAZ". As it became known, the joint venture will manufacture a new four-wheel drive station wagon VAZ-2123 ("Field"). To do this, planned to Togliatti assembly plant, scheduled for launch in late 2002. In the future, the new plant will produce up to 75 thousand cars per year. About a third of the new "Neve" will be exported to Europe and Latin America. It is assumed that the cost of an SUV in the base will be about $ 7,500. In the meantime, pilot production of the VAZ started to collect goods, that is not designed to test and to sell copies of the new "Niva" VAZ-2123. There is an opportunity to buy a new SUV VAZ, although at very high prices. The first VAZ-2123 stand at retail for about 10 thousand dollars (first car was "sold" to 283 000 rubles) - more expensive than some foreign cars. While on the consumer as the new "Niva" has to be judged not by commodity cars, prototypes, and for those who demonstrated at trade shows. But apparently, the big difference will not be. To create a fundamentally new car at the WHA had no money. Therefore, the overall layout, circuit design-wheel drive transmission and new suspension with "Niva" is the same as that of the old one. Designers have developed a new body and tried to improve the performance of major components. By the external design VAZ-2123 claims are not: the car turned completely modern and totally proportional. The radiator grille in the style of "Grand Cherokee" will not please everyone, but it's easily replaceable item. Apparently, soon to be non-standard grid that will be easy to buy auto parts store. Spare wheel did not huddle under the hood, and hung on the back door open, as in many SUVs. Baggage door itself in the new "Niva" opens sideways, and, in contrast to the UAZ-3160, to the left side - which is easier to load things from the sidewalk. Salon turned out quite spacious. High, not too inclined windshield provided a very good visibility. The front desk is not under pressure of excessive thickness. The instrument panel is made in the same style as the new panel for VAZ-21099 and VAZ-2115, - it looks quite modern. The only claim to "torpedo" - the lack of clothing racks to the right and a strange form of cover glove box. The long gear lever like the new "Field" also has its origin from the good old classic "Lada". Only now shifted to the right arm strangely. It turns out that it is connected to the box via an extension cord, but it can reduce the sharpness of the gear. Instead of two levers, off-highway transmissions only one remains. When you move back and forth, it includes step-down transmission, as if moving it from right to left, center differential is locked. To reduce vibration, the intermediate shaft between the frame and "razdatki" made longer, and very "razdatku" hung up on three legs, and now it does not require alignment. Front axle gearbox mounted on the power unit is not like the old "Neve" and on the beam suspension and stabilizer bar. Due to the increased gear ratio steering gear, linkage refinement, the pendulum arm and the weave, the wheel rotates the VAZ-2123 with considerably less effort than the VAZ-2121. Long-travel suspension has avoided "breakdowns", improved smoothness. True, some decreased clearance. 1.7-liter engine with fuel injection is set as the new "Niva", and the old part of VAZ-21213. VAZ, as a rule, many years launching new vehicles in parallel with the old. So for the foreseeable future is not expected phase-out the usual "Neve" VAZ-2121. SERGEI Jonas