MOSCOW MOTOR SHOW: New Chevy Niva

The Chevrolet Niva concept has broken cover at the 2014 Moscow motor show, providing a preview of the brand's Russia-only budget SUV.

Named after the Lada Niva which has been sold globally since 1977, the next-generation Chevy Niva is a joint-venture between Chevrolet and Avto-VAZ, the Russian company that owns Lada.

Like previous Nivas, the new compact SUV is designed to be more rugged than its budget-priced rivals, including Dacia Duster.

The concept vehicle shows off plenty of ground clearance and rugged features like roof rails, headlight guards a front winch and spotlights.

Power for the Niva concept comes from a 100kW 1.8-litre Peugeot-sourced engine, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Measuring 4316mm long, the Niva concept is about 40mm longer than a Holden Trax and was styled by ex-Holden designer Ondrej Koromhaz, who currently works for GM in China.

The concept was built in Melbourne at Holden's fabrication facility, which is also where the Indian-market Chevrolet Adra was made before being revealed in February.

Holden's is one of just two GM studios that can make show cars, and it will continue to do so after the company ceases manufacturing in 2017. However, it will no longer lead the design and development of production models.

The Niva is expected to go on sale in Russia in early 2016 after the production version of the budget SUV is unveiled, but the chances of the vehicle making it to Australia are slim, particularly as Holden already sells the Trax.