A tuner from New Zealand presented a new Lada Niva with a 5.7-liter V8
The legendary Lada Niva is extremely popular abroad, especially in Australia and New Zealand. It is there that the most daring and unusual tuning projects based on this domestic SUV are born. The approach of foreign tuners is radically different from the off-road style we are used to. Abroad, the Niva is often converted into a powerful car for high-speed racing.
One such project was created by Daniel Daninett-Rees from New Zealand. He managed to fit a powerful Holden V8 engine under the hood, which required major modifications to the engine compartment. The engine was installed longitudinally and significantly pressed inward; it was probably necessary to partially deepen the shield. Outwardly, everything looks quite spontaneous, but the main thing is high output characteristics. In addition, the car received a lowered suspension focused on asphalt, as well as a massive snorkel – an attribute of SUVs. At the rear, custom exhaust pipes are visible on the sides.
The condition of the body leaves much to be desired – numerous traces of repairs, dents and rust are visible on it. But for such experimental projects this is not so important. It is based on a rare export modification of the VAZ-21212 with right-hand drive, produced in small quantities for foreign markets. This gives the project additional uniqueness. An interesting detail is that in the engine compartment you can see well-known Russian “autographs” in the form of swear words. Apparently, the previous owner left this comment about the breakdown.
In Australia, a dragster with a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine was created on the basis of the Niva; a real monster with a twin-turbo was also previously built, running a quarter mile in 8.59 seconds. So foreign tuners are approaching the Niva very creatively, turning the modest domestic SUV into powerful beasts for the track. (photo: carakoom.com)
