All-new Lada Niva coming 2025

Off-road stalwart set to adopt Renault platform but will retain its go-anywhere ethos

- PIERS WARD

The all-new Lada Niva, due in 2025, will spearhead a four-car family of off-roaders, completed by a "big brother" Grand Niva and the existing Niva Legend 4x4 and Niva Travel crossover.

The new Niva will be based on Lada parent company Renault Group's CMF-B platform, as used by the overtly road-focused Renault Captur and Arkana SUVs, but the Russian manufacturer is looking at special modules to enable the Niva to live up to its forebear's off-road capability.

Lionel Jaillet, vice-president for product performance at Dacia and Lada, explained: "We're trying to improve [the platform) as much as possible. The front and rear overhangs will be reduced and the technology will be adapted so that it's even more capable than the [Dacia] Duster."

Lada will change the CMF-B's dimensions and approach and departure angles, as well as offering a low-range gearbox and a new four-wheel-drive system (also set to be available on the next Duster) to ensure that the new Niva will be a "very good modern 4x4".