VAZ-2108

The front-wheel drive scheme has long attracted automotive designers, but a massive transition in the world to such models began only in the mid-1970s. At the same time, even in the conditions of the European road network, their distribution was constrained by the insufficient elaboration of the design and technology of the wheel drive units, steering, and suspension of the power unit. However, the transverse arrangement of the power unit and the front drive wheels with the then existing level of technological development already made it possible to make a small class car more compact and lighter than usual. The design of the front-wheel drive car began to be developed by the Volga Automobile Plant in 1971. From 1971 to 1977, several prototypes of front-wheel drive cars were designed and built at the plant. The design of the VAZ-2108 began in May 1977. On February 17, 1978, the USSR Ministry of Automotive Industry approved the terms of reference for a VAZ for a family of front-wheel drive cars. ^[3] At this point, the factory already had a well-developed concept for the future machine. The first prototype VAZ-2108 was ready at the end of 1978, and in February 1979 its laboratory tests began. Some components and assemblies of the VAZ-2108 were developed jointly with Western companies Porsche and UTS ^[4] . On May 29, 1979, Council of Ministers of the USSR issued Decree No. 470 “On the Development and Development of the Family of Front-Wheel Drive Cars at the Volga Automobile Plant”. The creation of a new car model in Tolyatti was officially announced by the Minister of the Automotive Industry V.N. Polyakov in his speech at the XXVI Congress of the CPSU in February 1981. He said that in the eleventh five-year period a car with front driving wheels will be created at the VAZ, which is not connected in design and technology with the classic Zhiguli produced.

Production of the first batch of 2000 freight cars was started on December 17, 1984 ^[5] , on December 22, 1984 the first production VAZ-2108 rolled off the assembly line ^[6] , and in the first half of 1985, cars began to arrive at stores at a price of 8345 rubles. ^[7] 80% of all funds allocated to the powerful SCST (State Committee for Science and Technology) for the purchase of licenses and new types of equipment for all industries of the USSR, at that time was mastered by AvtoVAZ. A total of 20 were purchased. In particular, Lucas purchased front disc brakes and a vacuum brake booster, Zahnradfabrik purchased rack and pinion steering gears, Automotiv Prodax had a clutch, Way-Assauto had a front axle , for Hardy Spicer - for constant velocity joints, for Solex - for carburetor. Later, they bought a rear suspension beam from Volkswagen. Michelin acquired a license and technological equipment for the production of a tubeless radial tire with a steel cord dimension 165 / 70R13 (later an option with a profile width of 175 mm was added to it). Fiat's technological partner, UTS, rendered assistance to AvtoVAZ in organizing new production and setting up equipment ^{[8], the} VAZ-2108 is included in the Porsche story time line called The Lada Samara -1984 ^[9]

Exterior

Initially, the car was produced with the so-called “short” front wing, but this turned out to be impractical, since the plastic trim on the front quickly “departed” from the wings and was deformed from exposure to the sun. Since 1989, a new front end design has been developed, with wings and an extended hood. In addition, the false radiator grille has changed, which gave the car a more modern look ( facelift ).

Interior

From the beginning of production, the car was equipped with a “low” dashboard. Since 1991, the VAZ-2108 began to install a “high” instrument panel, which was distinguished by the presence of a tachometer and the absence of a voltmeter , as well as altered ergonomics.

Body

The VAZ-2108 body has a three-door all-metal welded supporting structure. The car has options for both passenger and utility vehicles. All parts and components of the body, except the hinged ones, form a single unit, welded by contact spot welding, and heavily loaded parts are additionally welded by electric arc welding. The main body parts are stamped from mild steel sheet. The thickness of the main body parts is 0.8 mm, and the outer door panels and front wings - 0.7 mm, amplifiers 1-1.2 mm. Small parts are stamped from steel with a thickness of 0.8-2.5 mm.

Chassis

The vehicle is equipped with a four-cylinder, four-stroke carburetor or injection engine with a cylinder capacity of 1100 cm³, 1300 cm³ or 1500 cm³ (depending on version) with an in-line arrangement of cylinders with a camshaft in the cylinder head driven by a toothed belt. The engine is specially designed for lateral arrangement on a front-wheel drive vehicle. The engine assembly with gearbox and clutch forms a power unit mounted in the engine compartment on three elastic bearings.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, a four- or five-speed gearbox is installed. The gearbox housing is integrated with the final drive. Torque from the main gear is transmitted to the drive wheels through the front wheel drives with CV joints .

A rack and pinion steering gear is installed on the vehicle.

The front brake mechanism is disc , open. Rear - drum , with automatic adjustment of the gap between the pads and the drum.

The VAZ-2108 uses a single-wire connection diagram (minus the ground). On the modification of the VAZ-21083, a microprocessor engine control system is installed.

Pendant

The vehicle is equipped with a “swinging candle” or MacPherson suspension.

The vehicle is equipped with a torsion-link suspension of the rear wheels. Suspension guides are two trailing arms interconnected by an elastic connector. Independence of the stroke of each wheel is ensured by twisting the amplifier, which has a U-shaped section, which has great bending stiffness and low torsional rigidity.

Rear suspension hydraulic telescopic double-acting. Elastic suspension elements consist of a spring and a compression stroke buffer. The spring is made of round spring steel. It is mounted on a shock absorber. The springs of the rear suspension, as well as the front, are divided into two classes, A and B, under a control load. The springs of class A are marked with yellow paint on the outside of the middle turns, class B - green.

Serial

• VAZ-2108 is the basic model of a car with a 1.3-liter carburetor engine and a 4- or 5-speed gearbox.
• VAZ-21081 is a model with a deformed engine of 1.1 liters and a 4-speed gearbox.
• VAZ-21083 - a model with an engine of 1.5 liters and a 5-speed gearbox.
• VAZ-21083-20 - a model with an injection engine of 1.5 liters and a 5-speed gearbox.
• VAZ-21083-37 - a model with an injection engine of 1.5 liters and a 5-speed gearbox for participation in the NG Lada Cup
• VAZ-21086 - a similar basic export model with the right steering arrangement.
• VAZ-21087 - similar to the model VAZ-21081 export model with the right steering arrangement.
• VAZ-21088 - an export model with the right steering arrangement similar to the VAZ-21083 model.
• VAZ-2108-91 - model with a two-section RPD VAZ-415 with a capacity of 140 liters. s., volume 1308 cm³.

Experienced and small

• VAZ-210834 - in 1998, based on the 21083 and 21213 models, an off-road vehicle VAZ-210834 was developed - a prototype of Lada Tarzan
• VAZ-21084 - looks completely identical to VAZ-2108, an engine with a volume of 1600 cm³ is installed. It is a VAZ-21083 motor with a 1.2 mm increased block, a slightly modified head and a new crankshaft and camshaft. A piston with a diameter of 82 mm, cut 1.8 mm in height, has a stroke of 74.8 mm. It was produced in small batches in pilot production.
• VAZ-21085 is a model with an injection 16-valve engine VAZ 2112 with a volume of 1.5 liters and a 5-speed gearbox.
• VAZ-2108 IKS - a car - a measure of the coefficient of adhesion of the runway. By order of Aeroflot, 10 cars were produced.

• VAZ-2108 Natasha , VAZ 21081 Cabrio is a convertible based on the VAZ-2108. Made from the usual "eights" by European dealers selling Togliatti cars ^[10] .
• Lada-EVA is a sports car based on the VAZ-2108, built by the Experimental Vilnius Automobile Plant.
• Lada-2908 LSGA is a mid-engined racing car with VAZ-2108 elements built by LSGA (Torgmash, TMS).
• Lada-2108 COUPE - a car based on the VAZ-2108, with a body like targa , designer V. Pashko . Built 2 copies, both sold.

The car participated in all-Union races of the USSR, after its collapse, participated in the ring championships of Russia in the classes "Tourism" ("Tourism - 1600") and "Supertourism". From 1998 to 2002 - a member of the National Racing Series " Lada Cup ".

In total, 884,657 cars of this brand were produced ^[11] .

• Lada samara

• The history of domestic front-wheel drive: traction vector