New Lada Niva Design Revealed in Official Patents

Patent images filed with Russia’s Federal Institute of Industrial Property have provided a clear look at the potential successor to the iconic Lada Niva. The design shown is consistent with concepts revealed in 2021, originating from a project that began when Lada was part of the Renault group.

Design and Styling Cues

The vehicle in the patents displays a modern, rugged aesthetic. Key features include a prominent black grille with turn signals positioned above the main headlights, which feature circular daytime running lights. The design incorporates black fender flares, pronounced roof rails, and rear door handles integrated into the C-pillars, giving it a cleaner side profile. This appearance closely matches a teaser sketch Lada released in 2021, suggesting the design is well-developed.

Underpinnings and Powertrain

The new SUV, known internally as project T-134, was initially developed on the CMF-B platform. This is the same basic framework used for many modern Renault and Dacia vehicles. A platform is the car's foundation, determining its size and how components like the engine and suspension fit together. Following Renault's departure from the Russian market, reports suggest the new Niva may instead use the architecture from the Lada Vesta. Power is expected to come from Lada's existing 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter gasoline engines.

Market Context and Future Prospects

This new model would be a significant update for Lada's SUV lineup, which currently consists of the Niva Legend, a design largely unchanged since 1977, and the Niva Travel, which dates back to 1998. While the design appears finalized, the vehicle's path to production is uncertain. The project has reportedly been paused and restarted multiple times, and an original launch target of 2028 is now in question. The public release of these patents indicates that development continues, but a firm timeline for its arrival in showrooms has not been announced.