
New genuine mass air car, called the VAZ-2101 “Zhiguli”, was significantly different from the traditional Soviet cars — quite modern, fast, dynamic and reliable, devoid of the heaviness of “Moskvich” and not serious lightness “Zaporozhets”.
VAZ-2101 was a classic three-box four-door car is a sedan with the leading of the rear wheels and the front engine. The basis of the power unit of the car was a petrol 4-cylinder gasoline engine working volume of 1.2 l, was used as fuel unusual at that time for Soviet motorists gasoline AI-93. Gear box mechanical, four-stage. Clutch single disc, dry, with hydraulic drive.
Front suspension is independent, spring, wishbone, hydraulic shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. Rear suspension — dependent spring.
Steering consisted of a steering gear, the gear of which was based on the globoid worm with dvuhgrivnevka roller, and a three-tier steering gear from one medium and two symmetrical lateral rods, and Pitman arm, pendulum and rotary switches.
VAZ-2101 “Zhiguli”: 4073 length mm, width-1611 mm height 1382 mm, base 2424 mm gauge 1345/1304 mm curb weight 945 kg ground clearance is 170 mm, the maximum speed of 140 km/h fuel consumption 8 liters per 100 km, engine capacity 1198 cm3, the maximum power of 60 HP, acceleration to 100 km/h 20 — 22, fuel tank capacity 39 L.