VAZ-21218 "Handicap": technical characteristics, owner reviews, test drive

About the car VAZ-2121 "Niva" has already said a lot of words. This is the first domestic comfortable SUV in the whole world.

And how many domestic motorists know about the "field"? From the assembly line of the plant "Taiga" comes off, in the pilot plants, a five-door VAZ-2131 is assembled. But even on the roads of the country there are intermediate versions. This VAZ-2129 is a three-door modification with a long base, which has already been removed from production, and VAZ-21218 "Fora". This car is very interesting. And despite the fact that it is no longer produced, the model is in demand among fans. In the three-door body of the standard "Niva" is a bit crowded, and the five-door modification based on the VAZ-2121 is completely different. "Handicap" is something like the golden mean.

"Handicap" - what is it?

"Niva Fora" is a three-door off-road vehicle with a permanent all-wheel drive. The salon is made in a complete set of "Lux". The car can be used in any conditions. For this, the designers have equipped the model with everything that it can. This is a permanent all-wheel drive for all four wheels, differential lock, high ground clearance. This model was first introduced in 1998. But all this is not the most important thing. "Niva" has always been interested in motorists as a good object for tuning. On the roof mounted searchlights, bumpers equipped with winches, the wheels were always on the huge mud rubber. There are a lot of options for these models. The company "Bronto" was engaged in the production of special cars. The firm developed armored vehicles for the needs of collectors. They were called "Force" and were manufactured on the basis of VAZ-2121. Bronte-mobile then were in the car parks of all self-respecting banks.

But the company did not stop there and after the successful development of the machine for banks, it began to expand the range. A snow aerobot called "Marsh" was produced and a "Niva Fora" elongated by 300 mm. Together with the "March" and "Force" "Foro" in 1997 showed at the motor show in Moscow. The model was very interested in SUV enthusiasts. After that, "Bronto" receives a certificate for the sale of "Fora". In short, the "Fora" is the same "Force", but without armor on the body (the so-called civilian version). Let's consider features of this car.

Comfort

The most important difference between the VAZ-21218 is, of course, the wheelbase, which was extended by 300 mm. Also, the engineers lifted the roof a little. These millimeters, obtained from the lift, were not allowed to increase the volume of the trunk, but to increase space in the cabin. The car also differs with wider doors. Owners know how hard it is for an adult to make his way to the back row of the usual "Niva". Here such problem is not present - in the car it is possible to enter without problems.

Despite the fact that the "Fora" almost does not differ in appearance from the standard model, the difference in the inside is immediately felt. Now it is not necessary to bend to get on the back sofa. Yes, and the front landing is quite convenient. Thanks to 300 mm passengers it became much more comfortable. Now you no longer need to bend your knees. The chairs removed from the zone of wheel arches, because of which the narrow width of the base became limited even more.

Trunk

Before the appearance of VAZ-21218, several small suitcases and a meager set of tools were placed in the trunk of the Niva. The "Fora" trunk is bigger. If you need to transport some bulky cargo, now you do not need to fold the rear seats. In the cabin, the luggage compartment is covered by a shelf from the VAZ-2108. There you can install audio. The rear seat is also borrowed from VAZ-2108.

Design

In appearance, VAZ-21218 "Bronto" can be distinguished only by several details. The first thing in the eye rushes a longer door. The second detail is the roof, which is now an order of magnitude larger than the standard one. It was made very interesting. She began to resemble the English "Land Rover Defender". However, in the "Field" there are no additional windows. And finally, the third difference is the reserve, hanging behind the back door, as on most jeeps of foreign manufacturers.

This move was used not only because of aesthetics and ergonomics, but also because of the application of wider tires and wheels on the Fores. The spare wheel just did not fit under the hood. For some time the reserve hung on a cheap bracket. Reviews of motorists noted that he was very uncomfortable. To open the trunk, the owners of the first versions had to first lift the spare, and then throw it aside. These procedures often led to stained clothing. Then the situation was corrected. I had to put my hand under the spare tire and turn the lever. Thus, the wheel reclined without any problems.

Extended body and its reliability

The body became longer, and it was extended by the most common method for AvtoVAZ. So, the base "Niva" is cut in half, and new details are inserted into the construction. Naturally, such an approach does not add reliability. Therefore, the "Bronto" decided not to act on standard, developed technologies, but to go the other way. All non-standard elements were lengthened separately. Every detail was carefully calculated. This was done so that the body did not lose its strength. Engineers of Bronto tried not to get a weakened design as a result.

So, the sidewall was cut from the bottom in the front part of the threshold. At the top the incision was made in the back part of the doorway. The floor was lengthened with a stepped insert. The roof was raised using amplifiers. In the "Bronto" assured that the car VAZ-21218 "Fora" successfully passed all the tests, the result was more than excellent. The strength and reliability of the structure remained at the level of the base "Niva".

Welding seams and joints, as well as inserts-extensions on the body is almost impossible to find. However, you can find the insert on the part of the roof, which is closed by the upper part of the door.

The door is welded in two parts. The outer part of the structure is a monolithic steel sheet. On long doors in the "Bronto" even installed additional openers for passengers on the back row. The glass is large enough - according to the size of the door. Inside the part is decorated with standard materials. What some owners do not like is the lack of pockets for small things inside the door cards.

Salon

In the cabin at VAZ-21218 it will not be possible to find something new. Here the interior of the usual "Niva". All the same uncomfortable gearbox selector, the same VAZ steering wheel, hard plastic and velor upholstery. In general, nothing has been done with ergonomics, it is still "limping" - they mention the owners' feedback. But to talk about ergonomics is not entirely correct - the machine was designed 40 years ago. It does not help even tuning. You can equip the car with air conditioning, but this does not completely solve the issue of comfort inside.

Engine and gearbox

Under the hood, as, indeed, in the cabin, there is no change. Here the owner already expects the usual VAZ engine of the model 21213. The power of the unit is 79 horsepower. The engine produces 127 Nm of torque. Since the "Fora" from the standard "Niva" is more massive, acceleration to 100 km / h takes 21 seconds. The maximum speed is 135 km / h. Fuel consumption for "Fora" is more by a liter than in the standard "Niva".

Previously, in machines for encashment under the hood, gas generators were installed instead of the reserve for extinguishing the fire, in the civil version of this option there is no cost in view of the cheapening of the structure. The transmission and the chassis are also unchanged. It has all the same five-speed manual gearbox and transfer case. The leading bridges are front and rear. Only the cardan shaft differs - because the car is extended by 300 mm, instead of the standard shaft on the "Bronto" an elongated one was installed.

Other Features

As it is an elongated car, its main difference from the regular "Niva" in body dimensions. The length of "Handicap" is 4040 mm, width - 1680 mm, in height the car - 1750 mm. Wheelbase at the "Fora" - 2500 mm. The curb weight is 1270 kg. The maximum weight is 1720 kg. As you can see, on the car VAZ-21218 the technical characteristics remained unchanged. But they love this car not for speed, but for its patency.

Test Drive

On the road the car keeps quite confident. There are no more jumps than the short Niva. The suspension well swallows the road irregularities. It seems that this is not a tough and serious SUV, but a comfortable car. In the turns the car also proved to be better than the standard "Niva". However, a larger turning radius was noticeable - after all, the long wheelbase makes itself felt.

But asphalt is not a place for VAZ-21218. Test drive should be carried out on depressed dirt roads in mud, in sands. And the car does not cope worse than the basic version here. All the advantages and characteristics, which the manufacturer claimed, were fully confirmed.

Packages

The basic equipment does not provide for the presence of cast discs and a branded grille on the front bumper. If you really want to buy VAZ-21218, you better order tuning from the manufacturer. These bumpers are a very useful thing in the operation of a car. By the way, this element is fully certified. From other equipment the manufacturer offers the hydraulic booster and the conditioner.

Conclusion

What else can you say about VAZ-21218? Reviews of owners will let you know more about this car. Owners consider the car quite comfortable and convenient. Naturally, for fans of speed it will not work. "Fora" is created for those who do not hurry. The machine is repairable, the units are quite reliable. Breakdowns are all standard for the Niva.