Moskvitch 2140

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Moskvich 2138/2140/1500 SL
Overview
Manufacturer	AZLK
Also called	Moskvitch 1360 Moskvitch 1500 Moskvitch 1500 SL Moskvitch 2140 SL
Production	1976—1988
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 3-door van
Related	Izh 2125
Powertrain
Engine	1.5L UZAM-412 I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	4,250 mm (167.3 in)
Width	1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Height	1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Moskvitch 408 Moskvitch 412
Successor	Moskvitch Aleko

The Moskvitch 2140 series (Russian: Москвич-2140) is a small family car produced by Soviet automotive maker AZLK from January 1976 to 1988.^[1] It started first as Moskvitch 2138 and Moskvitch 2140 on a modified 412 platform. Pre-production models were shown during 1975. Starting in 1981, the modernised modification of the M-2140 export/luxury model was also designed and branded "2140 SL" in the Eastern Bloc countries and "1500 SL" outside. The most notable differences between the two models were redesigned dashboard and front seat headrests in the M-2140.

Starting in 1982, the M-2138 models were discontinued and the M-2140 became the only Moskvitch car available in all markets. It was face-lifted the same year: the shield logo was changed to feature "АЗЛК" (AZLK) written in metallic outline, the grille coating switched from metal to plastic, and both side mirrors were slightly redesigned to be less heavy. The station wagon variant M-2137 was the last of Soviet cars to still feature taillight fins to accommodate gate opening, until the model was discontinued in 1985.

Although originally designed and often referenced to as the "fourth generation", the series was, in fact, only an enhancement over the actual third generation of Moskvitches, the M-408/412. The brand-new fourth generation entered in production with the Aleko starting in 1986, when both series shared the assembly line for over two years, until the M-2140 was eventually discontinued in July 1988.