"Moskvich-2140". "Moskvich-2140" suite. "Moskvich-2140" - the engine

"Moskvich-2140" is a light passenger car, which was produced in the Soviet Union in the period from 1976 to 1988. Serial production of this machine was established at the Moscow plant AZLK. In fact, the new model 2140 was the next generation of the legendary 412 "Moskvich", which by that time did not meet the requirements of the domestic car industry.

In this regard, at the end of 1975, the design bureau raised the issue of creating a new model of a car that would meet all modern requirements of the Soviet car industry and at the same time preserve the merits of previous models of the AZLK. What is this wonder machine and why is today called "Moskvich-2140" a legend of the automobile industry of the USSR? About all this and much more later in our review.

Design

As for the appearance of the machine, then there have been no revolutionary changes. The car body was taken from the same 412th "Moskvich". The only thing that differed from the novelty of its predecessors, so it's a new grille, a boot lid and headlights, which now have a square shape. In other respects, the new "Moskvich" practically did not differ from other models, which were issued 5-10 years ago. This is not surprising, because the designers had to create a new car, investing minimal changes in its previous design. But nevertheless the car became on the order more attractive and modern. Especial attention deserves export versions of "Moskvich", but we'll talk about them a little later. In the meantime, look in the salon.

Interior

Inside the image of the car was radically redesigned. The main difference of the new model is the safety torpedo with a new steering wheel. The panel flap has also undergone changes - now it has acquired a modern combination of instruments with round dials. Seats and upholstery were also recycled. The lighting system was replenished with a new alarm lamp. But this is not the only thing that has been changed in the field of illumination: the signs of turns and stop signals are also refined - in the daytime they burned brightly, and in the dark - weaker (switched to "night mode"). Thus, the headlights and dimensions did not blind the drivers, and at the same time, "Moskvich" was well seen in the day on the road.

Technical data of engines

In the mid-1970s, work began immediately on two families of the "Moskvich" series 1500 and 1360 with completely new power plants. It was these models that were supposed to replace the finally obsolete 412 and 408.

In accordance with the industry normality, a new series of cars was equipped with two petrol engines: a 1.5-liter 75-horsepower M 412 was supplied with the Moskvich-2140 series 1500, and accordingly, the 1360th was equipped with a gasoline power plant with a working volume of 1.36 liters. The car was equipped with DAAZ carburetor.

"Moskvich-2140" and its dynamics

For those times the new AZLK 2140 was considered one of the most dynamic cars of the Soviet car industry. "Hundred" car recruited in no more than 19 seconds, while its maximum speed was 140 kilometers per hour. By the way, in the new version of the 2140th model, the brake system was significantly improved.

Fuel consumption

By today's standards, the domestic "Moskvich-2140" is quite a gluttonous car. According to the passport data, the novelty consumed 10.2 liters of AI-76 gasoline per 100 km of run. However, according to car owners, with a misconfigured fuel system, "Moskvich" could "eat" and up to 15-20 liters.

Dimensions and capacity

Dimensions of the machine, even by today's standards are very standard. The new "Moskvich" had the following dimensions: 4.25 / 1.55 / 1.48 m (length / width / height, respectively). However, such a road clearance, as in AZLK (17.3 centimeters), can even envy the prestigious German SUV "Audi Q7". And the volume of the trunk in the Soviet sedan was decent - 600 liters.

The start of series production and the first modernization

The first production cars began to descend from the Moscow assembly line already in early 1976, and this despite the fact that the development of a new model began in December 1975. The novelty was produced at a huge pace - by mid-1980 AZLK had produced a 3 millionth Moskvich.

The first modernization was done very quickly - just 6 years after the start of the series production. For comparison: all-wheel drive off-road car VAZ-2121 "Niva" was waiting for its modernization for 13 years.

Among the significant changes in the 2140-m "Muscovite" should be noted the presence of new bumpers of a different design, as well as the lack of classic windows on the previous side doors. The body trim has been simplified - now the car does not have emblems from the side panels and decorative moldings.

AZLK "Moskvich-2140" lux

This modification of the machine was specially developed for a foreign buyer and was produced exclusively for export. Also the model "Lux" was called "2140SL". Compared with the standard "Moskvich" series 214, its export analogue has undergone much more upgrades and improvements. So, the car "Moskvich-2140" suite was equipped with an injured steering column, disc brakes (versions aimed at the domestic market, supplied exclusively with drum), breaker-distributor P147, as well as a modified gearbox with a revised gear ratio. By the way, the body of these cars was painted in the color of "metallic". But let's not rush and tell everything in order.

Design of luxury version

Since the body of the export version did not differ from the bodies of the models of the domestic market, the main differences between the Moskvich SL were new front and rear bumpers made of plastic, taillights and moldings on the side doors. There are also "SL" badges on the wings and trunk lid. Slightly changed its design and grille. In other respects, the luxury version was practically the same as its counterparts focused on the Soviet market - no aggressive and embossed body shapes, aerodynamic bumpers, prominent thresholds and muscular wheel arches.

Interior of the luxury version of "Moskvich"

The main difference between the export version inside is the so-called low dashboard. Its design was developed by American designers on special orders. However, the panel had a lot of ergonomic miscalculations, because of what it was repeatedly elaborated by the hands of domestic engineers. In addition to the safety steering column, which we mentioned earlier, the export version had the Yugoslav interior upholstery, inertia seat belts and, most importantly, the stalk switch of speeds.

Specifications

AZLK 2140 lux was supplied with the same 1.5-liter engine, which was serially installed on ordinary "Muscovites", oriented to the domestic market. The only difference between them was the dynamics of acceleration and maximum speed. The luxury version with the redesigned transmission was accelerated to 142 kilometers per hour instead of 140, as was the case with standard models. On the car "Moskvich-2140" ignition was non-contact, however, as on all its modifications.

To illuminate the full picture of the differences between the Moskvich export series and the usual ones, below, we posted photos of both versions.

As you can see, the differences between these modifications are very significant. But nevertheless in the West this car did not have huge success, and after 7 years of mass production, in 1988, the model "luxury" was removed from the assembly line. Later, several decades later, export "Muscovites" began to come back to Russia from abroad, such copies are highly respected by fans of the domestic car industry.

And our folk craftsmen will improve to their liking "Moskvich-2140". The tuning to which the machine is subjected significantly changes its appearance.

Modifications

It should be noted that the AZLK 2140 series 1500 had a lot of modifications, among which the most famous were:

• "Moskvich 2140-121" is a specialized version of a taxi. Equipped with a special engine, leatherette upholstery and a taximeter. Produced from 1982 to 1987.
• "Moskvich 21403" - a special modification of cars with manual control for the disabled. Manufactured from 1980 to 1987. Under the hood of the car was also a de-engine.
• "Moskvich 2140 - 2" - a rare model with a right-hand drive.
• "Moskvich 21401" is a modification created for the needs of the medical service. It was produced serially from 1984 to 1988.
• "Moskvich 214027" - a specially developed version of the car, designed to work in a tropical climate. Just like the previous version, it was released from 1984 to 1988.

The release of the car "Moskvich-2140" was discontinued in 1988 year. At that time AZLK managed to produce more than 800 thousand machines (with all modifications and export series taken into account).