Engineering changes in Chevrolet NIVA, year 2009
Exterior changes
Style and design of all plastic elements are developed by BERTONE (Italy). Tooling for interior/exterior plastic elements is developed by Tecno ISA (Italy) and HCM (Italy).
The radiator grill with the larger Chevrolet bowtie on it is integrated into the front bumper, therefore, there is no clearance between the bumper and radiator grill; and it gives the finished appearance to the vehicle at the front that corresponds to the Chevrolet brand views. In comparison with the old version, the new facelifted vehicle has 2 larger air intake grills of bee’s cells form; it improves air intake and temperature at the hood compartment. It was confirmed during validation tests in the Middle Asia. The chrome grill facing makes GLS even more elegant.
The front bumper has a new shape, and at the middle bottom it has an unpainted protective facing with larger stamping on it to make it more resistant to scratches and small damages. The L version is equipped with unpainted bumper. In GLS version, the bottom part of the bumper, which is the most frequently damaged when driving in off-road conditions, is colored with black to avoid chips. At that, all geometric parameters required to provide the cross-country ability are retained.
In accordance with the EEC directive #78/549 new side wheel arch flares were installed to “protect other road users from stones, dirt, ice, snow, water and to reduce potential damage when wheels are rotating.” Black colored and stamped they are more resistant to small damages and scratches. In GLS version they are of the body color.
Plastic door mouldings are wider now and protect wider area of metal door parts from small damages. In GLS version they are of the body color to improve vehicle general appearance.
Plastic rocker panels (black, stamped) were installed to improve resistance to small damages and scratches and to protect body sills from mechanical damages.
The rear bumper has a new shape; it is black colored in L version and of body color in GLS. It has unpainted vertical loading tray at the upper part. It has 2 air grills located at the right and at the left; they are equipped with check valves to provide better ventilation inside the vehicle and to reduce fogging of windows.
All exterior plastic parts (bumper with the radiator grill, rear bumper, arch flares, facings) are made of polypropylene with increased rubber content; they are more shock-proofed, especially in low temperature conditions.
Front/rear mudguards have a new shape without changing the surface area; they are made of elastic rubber-plastic with improved fitting and bracing. As a result they provide better resistance to damages, deformation or tearing out when a vehicle is running in severe conditions.
The headlights are produced by Automotive Lighting, they have a new interesting shape, improved lighting performance, a separate low-beam lens which gives better light pattern and more light to the right roadside.
GLS version is equipped with new fog-lights; they have better lighting performance, improved dust- / waterproof features as they are better sealed and it helps to avoid condensation.
New rear lamps.
New turn indicators on front fenders.
CHEVROLET sign on the rear door.
GLS External distinctive features
Door handles in body color
Outside rear-view mirrors in body color
Outside B-pillars are covered with black matt film. It produces visual effect of common inside area and longer body part which gives more dynamic look to the vehicle.
Roof rails are produced by Jac-Products (Germany). They are made of high-strength aluminum alloy and can bear loads of up to 100 kg; they are compatible to the standard crossbows.
New design 16-inches light-alloyed wheel disks with CHEVROLET signed caps.
Interior changes
The B-pillar (GLS) has an additional door weather-strip to improve sound isolation and to protect the interior, locks and doors from dirt, dust and water.
The 3-spoked steering wheel (TRW, Portugal) is shared with OPEL products and it allows to be equipped with the driver air bag in the future.
A new roof console (GLS) provides with a new option – an eyeglass case and a new front 3-zone interior lamp with better illumination performances.
GLS vehicles are also equipped with a rear 2-zones interior lamp. Both lamps are shared with CHEVROLET products.
The windscreen has a sun protection at the middle top. The inside rear-view mirror (shared with GM products) is now fixed onto the screen thus eliminating its vibration while driving.
The gear shift knob is now of more ergonomic shape. In case of GLS version, the knob has aluminum imitating plates.
New design of the tunnel facing between front seats; it has a package compartment and 2 glass-holders, and removable ash-tray with a cover. The ash-cover can be installed into any of the glass-holders.
The instrument panel is of new shape; it is equipped with control units for outside mirrors, seat heating, and a lighter.
Block of control lamps (signals of central differential blocking and immobilizer activation) is removed from electronic cluster. Its functions are redirected to the instrument board.
New aluminum imitating decorative facing is placed on the front panel from the passenger side in GLS version.
GLS version is equipped with rear headrests of Ã-shape. So, they can be dropped down, when no rear passengers, to improve rear visibility. Besides, rear seats can be fold up together with the headrests on. This option is available in GLS version.
Floor carpet integrated with sound insulation (of sandwich type) enables to lower the noise by 12% in the front seats area and by 26% in the rear seats area.
Alarm System
New security warning device is connected with immobilizer block. In vase of unauthorized opening of any of five doors, the turn signals and sound signals will follow. In additions to the standard alarm system one more sensor (impact, volume or position) can be set up.
One of the ignitions keys (provided in the set) is of retractable type with 2 buttons on the remote control (to block and unblock). LED (light-emitting-diode) point indicator shows the level of the battery charge. Working radius of the remote control is up to 30 meters.
