According to newly emerged reports, a brand-new Niva will be unveiled in three years' time.
Initially, it was said that the third generation of the Russian 4x4 would arrive afterwards this year. Now, it is claimed its launch has been pushed back to 2018.
Nevertheless, when the new car does launch, it'll complement the recently-unveiled Vesta sedan and XRAY hatchback.
The new Lada Niva will ditch the 83 hp, 1.7-liter petrol engine for an, as yet unknown, new unit that will be mated exclusively to a manual transmission.
To broaden its appeal across the struggling Russian car market, the new Niva is tipped to be offered in both three- and five-door guises.
This won't necessarily mean the end of the aged 4x4, as Izvestia suggests that the new model will actually be available alongside the the one that's currently on sale.