Amphibian UAZ "Jaguar" is a project that has almost disappeared into oblivion from Ulyanovsk automakers. At one time, it could rightly be considered the pride of domestic manufacturers. Despite the fact that the creation of this all-terrain vehicle began several decades ago, it still has not lost its relevance. Consider the history of its creation, as well as the characteristics and features of the machine.
Development and creation
In 1977, the development of special off-road vehicles focused on the needs of the army and the agrarian sector was started at an automobile plant in Ulyanovsk. The project was led by a famous designer L. A. Startsev. The project began to be developed under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and was named the amphibious all-terrain vehicle under the code code UAZ "Jaguar".
The main purpose of the new SUV is the transportation of personnel, cargo, the installation of special technical devices and the towing of towing devices weighing up to 750 kilograms. The machine was made on the basis of modification 3151. In 1978, documentation was presented in which drawings of various devices occupied a significant amount. This is due to the fact that it was planned to mount several innovative nodes on the amphibian. Among them: a winch, spindles with a power take-off shaft, pumping pumps, water steering and a few more innovations.
Test
For six months in 1980, four Jaguar UAZ models were tested. Tests were carried out in various climatic conditions:
- In Astrakhan on the steppe landscape at a temperature of over +40 degrees Celsius.
- In Yakutia in the winter.
- On the mountain range in the Pamirs, at an altitude of 4600 meters.
As a result, amphibian was tested in the temperature range from –45 to +47 degrees. At the same time, the all-terrain vehicle showed excellent performance and successfully overcame most of the obstacles. In parallel with the running-in equipment, documentation was finalized, including equipping with a water pumping system and a parking brake.
In the second quarter, the developers released two more prototypes of the UAZ Jaguar project. They took into account previous flaws and design flaws. The total distance covered during testing of all-terrain vehicle samples was about 150 thousand kilometers. As a result, the Ministry of Defense and the automotive industry decided to establish the serial production of the modification.
Improvement
For three years (1986-1989), on the basis of the implementation of an agreement between the plant and the KGB, the UAZ 3907 Jaguar model was developed and tested, the photo of which is presented above. The car is intended for border guards, received the second name "Cormorant."
Among the additional features of the machine, the following aspects can be noted:
- The presence of six pairs of skis.
- Equipped with a radio station and a location system.
- Armament in the form of a light machine gun.
This model was equipped with a 4141610 type carburetor power unit. The engine power was 77 horsepower with a maximum speed threshold of 100 km / h. Combined fuel consumption was about 12 liters per 100 kilometers.
Design features
The all-terrain vehicle UAZ "Jaguar" was equipped with a modification frame 3151. It was improved by welding on the front and rear of the extension cords, which provided the possibility of mounting a winch, and also served as bumpers for installing propeller brackets and other additional equipment.
The designers decided not to complicate the project, and therefore bridges equipped with wheel gears were used. Short front springs were replaced by an elongated variation, which made it possible to make the amphibian move smoother. Since the developed modification UAZ 3907 Jaguar was also intended for movement in water, the body of the all-terrain vehicle was made absolutely airtight. This helped protect the machine from moisture and the risk of contamination of the engine and other internal parts and assemblies.
An individual heat exchanger in the cooling system guaranteed afloat the operation of the power unit in an acceptable thermal mode. A winch mounted on an all-terrain vehicle is able to work on the move with first gear engaged, as well as in the case of unwinding the cable at reverse speed. The lifting device is driven by a power take-off.
Salon part of the army car is made in ascetic style. Despite the minimum of amenities, a pair of soft chairs and two longitudinally folding seats are provided inside. This decision allowed the transport of a brigade or military unit of the order of seven fighters.
Exploitation
The most interesting feature in the design of the all-terrain vehicle UAZ project "Jaguar" is the buoyancy of amphibians. She showed the ability to overcome water barriers with two dozen people on board. The first models were equipped with water rudders, contributing to increased maneuverability on the water, but this decision led to the emergence of ambiguous situations.
One of the tests on the Volga River showed that after the maneuvers, the water steering wheel simply disappeared. Most likely, he broke off as a result of a collision with a solid obstacle. In addition to the fact that the testers did not notice the loss of the steering wheel, the maneuverability of the all-terrain vehicle remained at the same level. The front wheels completely coped with the handling function, as a result of which the water steering wheel was recognized as an unnecessary addition.
If we note the patency of the car under poor road conditions, the model was not inferior to the basic modification 3151. The only minus is the high mass of the car, which is 400 kilograms higher than the same indicator as its predecessor. At the same time, both versions were equipped with 2.5-liter engines. To some extent, the disadvantage was leveled out by a flat bottom, which made it possible to provide an exit from large snowdrifts or marshy areas. In addition, there were situations when the amphibian actually swam in liquid mud.
What do the experts say?
The floating parameters of the UAZ Jaguar car, the photo of which is presented above, are designed in such a way as to capture the imagination of the average user. According to the results of a number of tests, the commission concluded that this amphibian needs a more powerful motor. For subsequent modifications, a three-liter engine was installed.
Since there was no differential-type transfer case on the all-terrain vehicle, the life of the bridges was higher than that of road cars of a similar category. After installing a more powerful power unit, experts noted an increase in torque and speed indicators both on land and in water.
Competitors
Among foreign analogues, Gibbs cars can be noted. In this segment, a foreign developer presents two options related to modern amphibians:
- The Phibian model is famous for being a representative of a completely new type of floating SUVs. It is equipped with a diesel engine with a turbine, the power of which is 500 horsepower. There is a choice of type of movement in three variations: a water jet, front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Three crew members, 12 passengers or 1,500 kilograms of cargo are placed on board.
- Amphibian Humdinga I is an all-terrain vehicle equipped with a supercharged V8 engine. The power of the unit is 350 horsepower, the drive is full permanent. Depending on the design features, amphibian can transport up to 750 kilograms of various cargo or seven people.
Both modifications can move at speeds up to 26 knots, all-terrain vehicles require no more than ten seconds to transform from water to land.
In conclusion
Despite the fact that the all-terrain amphibious UAZ-3907 Jaguar proved to be excellent in testing, the economy intervened in its fate. The lack of finances and sponsors put an end to the further development of the project.
It was finally closed in 1990. Nevertheless, the question on this machine cannot be called completely resolved. Such an amphibian is useful not only in the army, but also in the fishing, hunting and agricultural sectors. To a large extent, the future of the UAZ-3907 car of the Jaguar project depends on timely financing and faith in the development of this technology.