The VAZ 2106 Zhiguli is a Soviet subcompact class with a sedan-style body, the successor to the VAZ 2103. The characteristics of the car fully met the requirements of that time, and the production of VAZ 2106, the most popular and mass car, continued for 30 years, from 1975 to 2005 year.
In the post-perestroika period, in 1998, the assembly of the model was moved from Tolyatti to Syzran, to the Roslada enterprise, and in 2001 the car began to be produced at the Ukrainian factory located in the city of Kherson. In the last three years, before being discontinued in December 2005, VAZ 2106 cars were produced at the IzhAvto plant in the city of Izhevsk. In just 30 years of production, 4 million 300 thousand machines left the conveyor.
Production start
The development of the model started in 1974, at the Design Center of the Volga Automobile Plant, under the index "21031". The project provided for deep restyling of the already existing VAZ 2103. In the process of updating the Troika, AvtoVAZ management expected to reduce the cost of the car by reducing the number of expensive chrome parts and introducing new lighting elements that meet European standards. The exterior of the VAZ 2106 was designed according to the latest designer fashion - black plastic, which replaced all the chrome trim parts. The front of the car has radically changed: instead of the previous sparkling radiator grille , a black matte hydrocarbon module was installed. The twin headlights received plastic “glasses”, black “corners” appeared at the ends of the front and rear bumpers, which immediately became the car's trademark; they were recognized precisely by these details. The rear of the VAZ 2106 has also been updated: the trunk lid looked more stylish due to the horizontal lining, the taillights were also trimmed with black plastic parts.
The Italians jealously watched the development of the updated model, since VAZ cars are, in fact, a copy of the Fiat, they began to produce them under license in Tolyatti in 1971. Modernization of the “troika” was successful: a new model was obtained with impeccable driving characteristics, a high level of comfort and low-cost maintenance. At that time, the price of the “six” was quite high, but even so, the car still did not go on sale, the deficit remained. Special commissions distributed cars according to the order of the Ministry of Commerce.
Updates
Designers intended to continue their improvements, but they were stopped by production workers. So that the car does not become too expensive, we decided to be satisfied with what has already been achieved. The interior of the VAZ-2106 has also undergone changes: comfortable head restraints were installed on the backs of the front seats, door armrests became more luxurious. The dashboard was enriched with a panel lighting rheostat, an indicator of the critical level of brake fluid, a windshield washer switch and an alarm button with red backlight. More expensive equipment included a radio, heated rear window, and a red fog lamp mounted under the rear bumper.
Power point
The engine on the VAZ 2106 was installed brand "2103", with cylinders with a diameter of 79 mm and a displacement of 1.57 liters. The engine power was supposed to be increased from 76 to 80 hp, but the previous intake system did not allow this, and I had to leave everything as it is. The gearbox was adapted to the new engine: in the first three gears, gear ratios were reduced, and the direct gear remained unchanged. The result of these improvements was quite satisfactory. Later, the power plant in the same set was installed on the VAZ 2121 Niva model.
Initially, it was planned to call the new model a VAZ 21031 so as not to tear itself away from the base "troika", but the radically modified car was so different from its predecessor that it was assigned its own number. So the VAZ 2106 brand appeared in the AvtoVAZ family. The first "six" rolled off the assembly line in December 1975, and serial production began on February 21, 1976.
Carburetors: which is better
In the production process, the VAZ 2106 was constantly improved. Since 1980, the Ozone carburetor began to be installed on the car instead of the economical Weber. The new carburetor was structurally unsuccessful because it was designed to save fuel at the same power. But, as it turned out, there are no miracles in the automotive world, and the Ozone, with its most complicated adjustments, somehow did not take root. Fortunately, the proven single-chamber carburetor of the Italian Eduard Weber, was produced in the range of spare parts, and each owner of a VAZ 2106 car and other VAZ brands could, if desired, buy it in a car shop.
Improvements also touched the exterior details of the Six, first of all, the moldings were modified, which now ended with black plastic tips. Along the way, the fringing of the wheel arches was abolished. Outdated ventilation grilles on the rear racks were replaced with new ones from the VAZ 2105 model. The chassis was also improved, the rear brakes were replaced with units of the same "five", which were much more efficient. In 1986, a transmission was borrowed from a VAZ 2105.
Saving mode
I must say that since 1987 the AvtoVAZ leadership has been persistently pursuing a policy of cheapening the Six: the red doorlights were replaced with simple reflectors, the red parking brake flashing relay was removed. The chrome lining of the body drains disappeared. Wheel caps were abolished, the interior also “suffered”, ceased to install panels with imitation “under the tree”. In 1993, the side moldings were even canceled, but the car began to look like bare, and the chrome trim was returned.
Export modification
The saving mode did not affect the VAZ 2106, sent for export, and small series intended for sale on the domestic market, with a complete set of type "Lux". In this version, the car received a non-contact ignition system, the best carburetor of that period was the Solex brand, halogen headlights, velor upholstery of seats and door shields, and improved head restraints. The modification was produced with an engine of 1,500 cubic meters, bumpers from the VAZ 2105 model, a reinforced generator and a five-speed gearbox. Modification of the VAZ 21064, which was exported, in addition to the listed accessories, was equipped with exclusive bumpers with integrated turn signals and an improved electrical circuit. The export version was equipped with a five-speed gearbox with a reduced gear ratio, which significantly reduced fuel consumption. Salon of export cars was made using expensive materials, in some cases, by order of foreign dealers, the seats were fitted with genuine leather, which significantly increased the cost of the car.
Popularity
In the first seven years of production, the VAZ Six consistently remained the most prestigious model in its class, being considered an example of reliability and a high level of comfort. Due to its reputation, the VAZ 2106 was one of the most popular among middle-income Russians from the late eighties to the year 2000, despite the fact that the model was already outdated and the build quality left much to be desired.
Characteristics :
- Body - four-door sedan, five-seater.
- Chassis - VAZ 2101.
- The engine of the brand VAZ 2106.
- Fuel is gasoline.
- The number of cylinders is 4.
- The volume of the cylinders is 1570 cm3.
- Power - 76 hp at 5400 rpm
- The arrangement of the cylinders is in-line.
- The number of valves is 8.
- The piston stroke is 80 mm.
- The cylinder diameter is 79 mm.
- The compression ratio is 8.5.
- Power - carb.
Dimensions:
- Length - 4166 mm.
- Height - 1440 mm.
- Width - 1611 mm.
- Wheelbase - 2424 mm.
- Weight - 1045 kg.
Dynamics:
- Acceleration to 100 km / h - 17.5 seconds.
- The maximum speed is 154 km / h.
How much is a VAZ 2106
VAZ 2106 cars are still in steady demand among Russians, the car was and remains reliable, quite comfortable and high-speed. High-speed engine provides throttle response, in addition, the motor is relatively economical. Prices for the car range from 20,000 to 65,000 rubles, depending on the year of manufacture and technical condition.
Owner reviews
Since the VAZ 2106 was generally considered the best model in its class for 30 years, the majority of customer reviews were positive. Even now, after almost ten years from the day when the last “six” left the assembly line, the reviews on the car did not get any worse. Owners note primarily its reliability, efficiency and relatively inexpensive service. Many owners consider the Six to be a prestigious model. The best VAZ 2106, which have survived to this day, look good and can even be considered rare items.