VAZ had made their first front-wheel drive prototype, the VAZ-1101, in the early 1970s.
The engine from the Fiat 127 was used.
Further development of this project led to the 900 cc (55 cu in) Ladoga three-door hatchback prototype in 1976.
The decision to build the Samara was taken on 16 September 1978, the intention being to build a car with strong potential sales in Western European export markets.
Proposals for a distinctive saloon, four-door, and both three- and five-door hatchback were considered; it was decided instead the saloon should share the three-door hatchback's sheetmetal forward the C-pillar. (
Design work on the four-door went toward the VAZ-2110 instead.)
During its development, VAZ designers paid careful attention to the contemporary Renault 9, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Escort Mark III, Opel Kadett, and Volvo 340, which would be the new VAZ-2108's main competitors.
Front suspension was MacPherson struts, rear by torsion bar.
It also had rack and pinion steering, another Soviet first.

On December 31, 1979, the first VAZ-2108 prototype was completed.
It strongly resembled the earlier Ladoga, and the VAZ-1106 saloon.
While named Sputnik at home, it was more commonly known as the Vos'merka ("Eighth") after the last digit in the model code.
The export version was named after the Samara River, a tributary to the Volga.
The first cars left the production line on 18 December 1984.
These, the three-door hatchbacks (the only model available at first), were powered by a belt-driven SOHC 1,288 cc (78.6 cu in) inline-four, and were fitted with a four-speed gearbox.
The three-door was joined by a five-door, and by models with 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in) (a destroked version of the 1288) or 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) (a bored-out 1288) engines. (
The head was developed in co-operation with Porsche, though most Western observers assumed Porsche's involvement went beyond just engines, and the carburetors in connection with Solex.)

In 1987, the model range was joined by the 21083, with a 71 hp (53 kW; 72 PS) 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) engine and five-speed gearbox, and the 21081, with a 53 hp (40 kW; 54 PS) 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in).
The 1099 was an export-only variant.
Top speeds were 87 mph (140 km/h) (1099), 92 mph (148 km/h) (1288) and 97 mph (156 km/h) (1499); fuel economy was 7.9 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US) (1099), 9.3 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) (1288), or 9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) (1499).
VAZ also debuted the 2109 five-door hatchback that year, also available with the 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in), 1,288 cc (78.6 cu in), and 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in).
In 1989, the 21099 saloon followed, which had a new bonnet, grille, wings, and 200 mm (7.9 in)-longer rear overhang, as well as an improved dashboard.
The 21099's front-end styling was adopted on the 2109 in 1992 and the 2108 in 1994.

A number of other minor alterations followed, including fuel-injected engines to meet emissions regulations in export markets.
On the earlier Samaras the front clip had been a separate piece, surrounding the headlights.
On the sedan version, the fenders go all the way up to the headlights and the lip of the bonnet dips between the headlights and meets the slimmer grille.
Full production of the 21099 began in December 1990, with models 210993 (1288), 21099 (1499).
The saloon, intended as a premium model compared to the hatchback, was given a distinctive branding in some export markets: Diva (Belgium), Sagona (France), Forma (Germany).
Belgium also offered a locally built convertible.
The 1.1 and 1.3 were eventually taken out of production, having already been withdrawn from export markets.
VAZ had made their first front-wheel drive prototype, the VAZ-1101, in the early 1970s. The engine from the Fiat 127 was used. Further development of this project led to the 900 cc (55 cu in) Ladoga three-door hatchback prototype in 1976. The decision to build the Samara was taken on 16 September 1978, the intention being to build a car with strong potential sales in Western European export markets. Proposals for a distinctive saloon, four-door, and both three- and five-door hatchback were considered; it was decided instead the saloon should share the three-door hatchback's sheetmetal forward the C-pillar. (Design work on the four-door went toward the VAZ-2110 instead.) During its development, VAZ designers paid careful attention to the contemporary Renault 9, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Escort Mark III, Opel Kadett, and Volvo 340, which would be the new VAZ-2108's main competitors. Front suspension was MacPherson struts, rear by torsion bar. It also had rack and pinion steering, another Soviet first.
On December 31, 1979, the first VAZ-2108 prototype was completed. It strongly resembled the earlier Ladoga, and the VAZ-1106 saloon. While named Sputnik at home, it was more commonly known as the Vos'merka ("Eighth") after the last digit in the model code. The export version was named after the Samara River, a tributary to the Volga. The first cars left the production line on 18 December 1984. These, the three-door hatchbacks (the only model available at first), were powered by a belt-driven SOHC 1,288 cc (78.6 cu in) inline-four, and were fitted with a four-speed gearbox. The three-door was joined by a five-door, and by models with 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in) (a destroked version of the 1288) or 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) (a bored-out 1288) engines. (The head was developed in co-operation with Porsche, though most Western observers assumed Porsche's involvement went beyond just engines, and the carburetors in connection with Solex.)
In 1987, the model range was joined by the 21083, with a 71 hp (53 kW; 72 PS) 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) engine and five-speed gearbox, and the 21081, with a 53 hp (40 kW; 54 PS) 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in). The 1099 was an export-only variant. Top speeds were 87 mph (140 km/h) (1099), 92 mph (148 km/h) (1288) and 97 mph (156 km/h) (1499); fuel economy was 7.9 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US) (1099), 9.3 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) (1288), or 9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) (1499). VAZ also debuted the 2109 five-door hatchback that year, also available with the 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in), 1,288 cc (78.6 cu in), and 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in). In 1989, the 21099 saloon followed, which had a new bonnet, grille, wings, and 200 mm (7.9 in)-longer rear overhang, as well as an improved dashboard. The 21099's front-end styling was adopted on the 2109 in 1992 and the 2108 in 1994.
A number of other minor alterations followed, including fuel-injected engines to meet emissions regulations in export markets. On the earlier Samaras the front clip had been a separate piece, surrounding the headlights. On the sedan version, the fenders go all the way up to the headlights and the lip of the bonnet dips between the headlights and meets the slimmer grille. Full production of the 21099 began in December 1990, with models 210993 (1288), 21099 (1499). The saloon, intended as a premium model compared to the hatchback, was given a distinctive branding in some export markets: Diva (Belgium), Sagona (France), Forma (Germany). Belgium also offered a locally built convertible. The 1.1 and 1.3 were eventually taken out of production, having already been withdrawn from export markets.
Lada Samara