Lada: It’s the Russian car coming back into fashion thanks to Aleksandar Kolarov and a pair of Iceland superfans
Once ridiculed, the Lada has had a revamp. Serbian star Kolarov was gifted one for his goal at the World Cup, while some Iceland fans chose the car as their preferred ride to Russia
NO longer is the Lada the butt of the jokes.
For donkey's years, the famous Russian car was ridiculed for its unreliability, its incredibly ugly appearance and its lack of acceleration and speed.
In fact, as the famous joke goes - why do Ladas have rear-heated windows? Simply so you can warm your hands when pushing it.
But that is all about to change thanks to the World Cup, Aleksandar Kolarov and a couple of ambitious Iceland fans.
Let's start with the attacking full-back and Serbian captain first.
When the former Man City star thundered home a spectacular free kick against Costa Rica in his country's opener in Samara, the last thing he would've had on his mind would be strapping up a seatbelt in a Lada.
However, recognising a PR stunt when he saw one, local governor Dmitry Azarov presented Kolarov with a gift certificate for a brand new 4x4 for his magical goal, who was apparently delighted with the gift.
"Kolarov scored a wonderful goal and we gave him a prize – a certificate for a Lada 4x4," Azarov told Russian newspaper .
"He was very happy and the entire team celebrated the news," he added.
Their 4x4 is more accurately called the Niva, which was first conceived in the late 70s.
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Described by its designers as a "Renault 5 put on a Land Rover chassis", reviewers have said it feels most at home at around 70 mph. Anything more and it apparently starts creaking.
But whatever you say , it is affordable. The most luxurious version, the Urban edition, would set you back around 551,600 rubles brand new, which is around £7,800.
To get you from A to B, it'll do the job. That's not to say it can't go to Z either. Just ask Iceland fans Kristbjorn Hilmir Kjartansson and Gretar Jonsson.
So eager to cheer their country on in Russia, the pair, both 30, drove from Reykjavik to Volgograd to catch their team's first match against Argentina.
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It took them 14 days to cover a mammoth 3,107 miles, but they got there in time and happily showed off the car that got them to the stadium hours before kick off.
“It’s the spirit of adventure,” Jonsson told gleefully about their experience.
“You know the Vikings were great explorers, sailors and fighters, so we have a little bit of their desire to have an adventure... it’s crazy but it’s so much fun.”
Jonsson and Kjartansson even painted the car, which the latter won in a competition, in Iceland's colours - red, white and blue. That's dedication.
But before you go thinking that's the furthest anyone's ever driven a Lada without complications, don't believe that the trip didn't come with its problems.
In the middle of Moscow, their car’s engine overheated. Thanks to some locals, they were back on the road in a jiffy and made it to Volgograd in the nick of time.
Jonsson and Kjartansson's next aim is to drive to Rostov-on-Don for Iceland’s last Group D game against Croatia. Good to luck to them.
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And while the young hipsters of Russia are getting their first Ladas, Vladimir Putin has been a fan all his life.
The Russian Prime Minister has always been proud to champion his own country's brands - which is why he reportedly owns several versions of the robust vehicles.
Now, if they're good enough for the so-called richest man in the world, surely that'll inspire some footballers to follow suit?