autoevolution
 

Segment: Small
Production years: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

LADA Samara 4 Doors 1984-2004 3 Photos
LADA Samara 4 Doors (1984-2004)LADA Samara 4 Doors (1984-2004)LADA Samara 4 Doors (1984-2004)

The Samara was the Russian way of saying that they could build cars even without the Italians' help, and the result proved that they couldn't, at least in 1984.

In 1984, the Russian carmaker AvtoVaz introduced the Samara to the market. It was a big success for the communist company to switch from a longitudinally-mounted engine and rear-wheel-drive system to a more modern transverse front engine and front-wheel-drive system. To do that, the engineers took their inspiration from other European carmakers, where Lada sold the car. Lada was the commercial name for the AvtoVaz (which was an acronym for Volga Automobile Factory).

The form-follow-function was the car's main theme, and the sedan shape was the main choice for Russian customers. Its square-looking headlights and almost closed front grille evoked a simple design system with straight lines. In the back, the flat and slightly sloped trunk lid was often adorned with a small spoiler.

Inside, there was a cubist design language with straight lines and a boxy instrument panel. The very optimistic speedometer showed a speed of up to 180 kph (112 mph), while the car was able to go as fast as 156 kph (97 mph). The cranked windows were the only way to open them, and there was just a simple ventilation system without air-conditioning. On the Western Europe market, the dealers installed aftermarket an audio system with a stereo-cassette. An unusual feature for the sedan was the folding rear bench, carried over from the five-door version.

Under the hood, the Soviet engineers installed a 1.3-liter or a 1.5-liter gasoline engine fed by a carburetor and paired it to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Later on, Lada introduced a fuel-injected version for the 1.5-liter version.

LADA Samara 4 Doors 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
  3 gasoline engines
  • 1.3L 4MT FWD (65 HP)
  • 1.5i 5MT FWD (72 HP)
  • 1.5L 5MT FWD (72 HP)

LADA Samara 4 Doors
1.3L 4MT FWD (65 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (65 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1288 cm3
Power:48 KW @ 5600 RPM
65 HP @ 5600 RPM
64 BHP @ 5600 RPM
Torque:68 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
92 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:11.4 gallons (43.2 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:92 mph (148 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):16 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:165/70 R13S
DIMENSIONS
Length:165.6 in (4206 mm)
Width:63.8 in (1621 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Wheelbase:96.9 in (2461 mm)
Cargo Volume:12.9 cuFT (365 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2094.39 lbs (950 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3075.44 lbs (1395 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:33.12 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km)

LADA Samara 4 Doors
1.5i 5MT FWD (72 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.5i 5MT FWD (72 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1499 cm3
Power:52 KW @ 4800 RPM
71 HP @ 4800 RPM
70 BHP @ 4800 RPM
Torque:87 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM
118 Nm @ 2800 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:11.4 gallons (43.2 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:99 mph (159 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):14 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:165/70 R13S
DIMENSIONS
Length:165.6 in (4206 mm)
Width:63.8 in (1621 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Wheelbase:96.9 in (2461 mm)
Cargo Volume:12.9 cuFT (365 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2094.39 lbs (950 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3075.44 lbs (1395 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:33.12 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km)

LADA Samara 4 Doors
1.5L 5MT FWD (72 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.5L 5MT FWD (72 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1499 cm3
Power:53 KW @ 5600 RPM
72 HP @ 5600 RPM
71 BHP @ 5600 RPM
Torque:81 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM
110 Nm @ 3400 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:11.4 gallons (43.2 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:95 mph (153 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):15 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:165/70 R13S
DIMENSIONS
Length:165.6 in (4206 mm)
Width:63.8 in (1621 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Wheelbase:96.9 in (2461 mm)
Cargo Volume:12.9 cuFT (365 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2094.39 lbs (950 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3075.44 lbs (1395 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:31.78 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km)
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