Also a diff-lock and an off-road double rate transmission on base model. And it is still lightweight. Beats Land Rover on dirt easily.
Posted on 08/27/2014 11:17:15 PM PDT by wetphoenix
The Chevrolet Niva, a mini-SUV produced as a joint venture between GM and Russian automaker AvtoVAZ, is a beige little ute based on a Lada. It's an incredibly boring car in current form, but the next generation Niva concept unveiled today ahead of the Moscow auto show is a strong enough idea to make us wonder why Chevy hasn't tried something like this over here.
Even if you ditch the concept-y winch up front, knobbly tires, off-road snorkel and roof rack featuring enough lights to illuminate Norilsk, the new Niva still manages to look far more aggressive than the standard compact ute. If the Niva went into production with the same purposeful stance, it could be quite appealing to younger buyers. But regardless, it's only for Russian consumption.
In the United States, Chevy will soon scratch the mini-SUV itch with the Chevy Trax -- a small crossover originally designed for Europe that's currently making the rounds in Mexico and Canada. While not an inherently bad car, GM calls it a "youth-focused" vehicle. Having sampled it, the Trax offers a lukewarm addition to a segment filled with quirky fare like the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. So why, I ask, would a young, hip buyer want a Trax?
Back to the Niva concept: this rugged little shoebox is precisely what a buyer of that description might desire -- something fun, different and, yes, practical. If it came with, say, the concept-style off-road tires, it might blend the niche between folks that think the Juke is too weird and despise frogs, and those that find a Jeep Wrangler too adventurous and have never heard of Deadmau5.
The last time Chevy had a youth-focused off-roader in its dealerships?
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
Available as factory options in Somalia ...
really looks, like very old Ford Bronco. (Form follows function :)
Nice looking truck.
Yeah, those tires would last about 20,000 miles on US streets.
Also a diff-lock and an off-road double rate transmission on base model. And it is still lightweight. Beats Land Rover on dirt easily.
and for the same $$$$, you could buy two of the less expensive.
If not, you can go to MacMillan’s in Deer Valley, AZ and get it done.
Won’t be cheap, but it will be a blast! (Pun intended)
Perhaps not many of the young urban men; but when you get out into small-town America you’re going to find a lot of us do work on our own cars.
I would love to have something like this when I go hunting/fishing/camping. It will take you into areas most others can’t get to.
Yep, great offroad capability, my point. And a gift to those hunters who spent most of their money on hunting stuff (guns, optics...) and thus don’t have enough left over for that Merc G-Model (boulevard cruiser mostly these days - not that it’s bad as such). Added bonus: That idiotic “environmental classification” is sure to piss off the greenies. Win-win!
I'm quite sure that you do. I know what range of tools and machines are available in American DIY shops - there must be the people who buy this stuff.
Oh, I didn’t understood what you mean initially. I thought you was talking about making Caravan into SUV. Yes, the longer wheel base requires higher ground clearance to negotiate the same obstacles. It is pure geometry. As for adding a 4WD it is an extra $1,500-2,000. They’ve probably didn’t think it would sell well at higher price.
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