According to this system the full model designation is a combination of the manufacturer's name (e.g. VAZ) and at least 4-digit number (e.g. 2108): in which: For passenger cars the engine displacement and dry weight are used to determine the class, also sub-classes (Groups) are defined: For trucks, full weight is used: For buses length is used: The fifth digit is optional, and is used to specify different versions or modifications of the same model.
However, for most purposes, the system worked just fine for its time, mostly because new models were specifically created to fit into its classes and sub-classes, and extra low- or high-power modifications were quite rare.
However, all exported models anyway had indexes based on the Soviet numbering system, which were used for documentation purposes.
By the late-Soviet period, model names were also used domestically along with standardized indexes, like - Lada Sputnik for VAZ-2108, VAZ-2109 and their modifications.
Each AvtoVAZ model has an internal index that reflects the level of modifications, based on the engine and other options installed.
The restyled Sputnik range was renamed Samara, but the Niva and the Oka retained their names.
However, it did not adhere to the standard with its newer Lada Kalina models, dropping the required first digit "2" and numbering them as 1117, 1118 and 1119, despite having a 1.6 L engine.