Two approaches to building motorhomes on the Niva are on offer in Russia. Both stress the off-road qualities of the Lada 4x4 and easy maintenance, but the compromise is a small naturally aspirated engine and modest pace on the motorway.
Niva Camper by Lux Form
Lux Form builds its motorhome on the three-door Lada 4x4 (VAZ-21214) using a semi-frame layout. The vehicle is 4.8 m long, 1.75 m wide and about 2.7 m high. The rear suspension is reinforced with leaf springs, while the engine stays standard: a 1.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit with 83 hp, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Inside, part of the sleeping area converts into a kitchen zone during the day, and the bed is almost two metres long. There is a gas hob, a 70-litre fridge with freezer compartment, a cassette toilet and shower tray, a 5-litre boiler, a 70-litre fresh water tank and a 40-litre waste tank. The base version starts at 1.6 million roubles and the most fully equipped reaches 2.1 million. Lux Form also makes habitation modules for the UAZ Patriot, Lada Granta and Bukhanka.
Avtokemper Prom project on the VIS-2346 chassis
Avtokemper Prom offers a motorhome on the chassis of the VIS-2346, a semi-frame light truck built by the Tolyatti plant VIS-Avto. The project was originally developed for a customer in Germany and is aimed at greater off-road ability and autonomy. The chassis has a final drive ratio of 4.44 and a low-range ratio of 3.15, and the rear suspension uses few-leaf springs with additional air elements. The engine is enlarged to 1.8 litres and develops about 100 hp.
The habitation module is in a European style: a fixed kitchen with hob and fridge, a washroom with shower and toilet, a pull-out double bed, air conditioning and a water heating system. The price is comparable to professional off-road campers.