VIS-AUTO universal compact light-duty vehicles manufactured on the basis of production models of VAZ compact cars are designed for prompt delivery of small consignments.
The emergence of domestic passenger pickups and vans
Volga Automobile Plant for the Production of Cars was created in 1966. The first cars were released in 1970. It was a modified improved (over 800 changes) model of the Italian Fiat-124 passenger car, called the VAZ-2101. The subsequent model range also specialized in modifications of this model. The company quickly became the largest automaker not only in the country, but also in Eastern Europe.
Models produced at the VAZ did not differ in great variety, but the first station wagons, released under the designation VAZ-2102, began to enjoy special demand. The car was produced from 1971 to 1986, while the last two years, together with a newer model station wagon with an index of 2104.
When asked about which model of the Kabul VAZ was the first, a representative should be called on the basis of the 2102 electric VAZ-2801 van. Further development of pickup production in the country was developed with the creation in 1991 of the company VIS (VAZ Inter Service), which began the production of pickup cars based on production models of VAZ.
Pickup production development
The country's first traveling car with a carrying capacity of up to 0.5 tons on the basis of serial was released in 1972. It became a utility vehicle under the designation IZH-2717. The small truck immediately gained great popularity and was produced for almost 30 years, and about 2.5 million copies were made in total. For its body shape, the car received the popular nickname "Heel", which then switched to other models of similar cars.
In the late nineties, with the growth of small and medium-sized businesses, the demand for small pickups based on cars increased sharply. This allowed VIS to increase the number of cars produced, as well as the number of modifications. AvtoVAZ also tried to return to the market of heel cars, but the VAZ-1706 model (Lada Shuttle), released on the basis of the 2108 model, lasted only three years on the assembly line.
Companies producing pickups, vans, special vehicles based on passenger cars VAZ
The first company to start manufacturing pickups and special models under the nickname “Kabul” from VAZ cars is considered to exist under the current name JSC “Production of Special Cars VIS-AUTO” (PSA VIS-AUTO), located in Togliatti. For its products, it currently uses wheelbases from the Lada Granta and Lada 4x4 models. The main product range consists of platforms and vans, as well as armored vehicles and a large number of various rescue, fire fighting vehicles on an all-wheel drive basis.
The next major manufacturer of cars of this class is the Nizhny Novgorod Special Car Plant (Promtech LLC). For its vehicles, the company uses the Lada Largus model. The same base is used by the company Invest-Avto, located in the city of Zavolzhye (Nizhny Novgorod Region), which produces medical service vehicles, isothermal vans and refrigerators. Another Nizhny Novgorod enterprise "Luidor", using the base "Largus", also produces ambulances and refrigerators.
Automobile production "VIS-AUTO"
The company VIS-AUTO produced its first models with a pickup body on the basis of VAZ-2105 and VAZ-2107 cars. These were rear-wheel drive models in a three-door version, with a capacity of 2 people, a carrying capacity of 750 kg and a body volume of 1850 liters. The basic configuration "heel" received the designation VIS-2345. In addition to the base model, a modification of 23452, an isothermal van, and an exotic version of 23454, a tractor unit for transporting a semi-trailer, were produced.
The next development of pickups was the VAZ “Kabul” 2347 based on the 2114 model. The car had a two-door performance and is designed for 2 passengers. Had the following configuration:
- cargo van - one back door, body volume - 2.9 cubic meters. m, loading - 0.49 t;
- isothermal van - double hinged rear door, with a cargo compartment volume of 3.2 cubic meters. m, with a loading capacity up to 0,35 t.
VIS (VAZ) 1705 “Heel” was produced in a small volume on the basis of the 2109. It had a carrying capacity of only 300 kg and a body volume of 2.3 cubic meters. meter.
Based on the Grant model, four variants of various vans are produced. All of them have a lifting capacity of up to 0.72 tons and vary in cargo volume from 3.20 to 3.92 cubic meters. m. On the basis of the Priora model, only one pickup version designed by an emergency service vehicle was developed and produced.
4 wheel drive pickups
Prior to the production of the Lada Largus model , the Lada 4x4 base was the most common for the manufacture of various modifications of pickups. On the all-wheel drive platform of this car, VIS makes the following modifications:
- 2346 - model with a platform with a double or single-row cabin and a lifting capacity of 0.26 or 0.49 tons;
- 2348 - a pickup truck with a wheelbase from Lada 4x4 and a passenger compartment from a VAZ-2109 with a payload of 0.50 tons;
- 23481 - a five-seater option of a complete set 2348 with a loading capacity of 0,350 t;
- 2946 (01, 1, 11) - fire, emergency rescue and special versions of cars with a pickup truck, with a lifting capacity of 0.25 to 0.69 tons.
Automotive production at VIS is approximately 3,500 units per year.
A small number of all-wheel drive “heels” are produced by UAZ and VAZ. These are the following models:
- VAZ ("Heel");
- 2328 - carrying capacity 0.69 t;
- 2329 - a double cabin with a capacity of 5 people, a possible load of up to 0.39 tons;
- UAZ (all modifications have a carrying capacity of 0.725 tons);
- "Cargo" - an awning;
- "Cargo" - a manufactured goods van;
- Cargo - isothermal wagon;
- "Patriot" - a pickup truck.
Vans based on the Lada Largus model
The largest number of pickups and special vehicles based on the Lada Largus passenger car model is currently manufactured by Promtech. These are the following modifications:
- cargo and passenger version - capacity 5 people .;
- cargo option - carrying capacity 0.73 tons, body volume 4.0 cubic meters. m;
- refrigerator - with a loading capacity of up to 0.70 t, the volume of the refrigerator compartment is 4.0 cubic meters. m;
- passenger-and-freight option - capacity 7 people;
- car shop - with a carrying capacity of up to 0.70 t with equipping the cabin with refrigeration equipment, washing, cutting, two display cases;
- medical service car - two manning options;
- social taxi;
- police car;
- armored car.
The cars produced by the enterprise are of high quality, as evidenced by the cooperation of the company with the world's leading automakers. The company Promteh, in addition to producing special vehicles based on domestic VAZ (Kabul) and GAZ, produces special vehicles based on various models of Ford, Citroen, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz .
Technical Parameters of Lada Largus
Passenger car "Largus", the most popular among manufacturers of vans and pickups, has the following main technical characteristics:
- drive - front;
- wheelbase - 2.90 m;
- engine:
- type - gasoline;
- power - 106.0 l. from.;
- volume - 1.6 l;
- number of cylinders - 4 pcs .;
- location - in-line;
- transmission - mechanical with a five-speed gearbox;
- tire size - 185 / 65R15;
- suspension type:
- front - independent;
- back - semi-dependent;
- fuel tank capacity - 50 l.
Existing technical parameters allow creating a large number of modifications of special machines for various purposes on the basis of the Largus model.
Advantages of passenger pickups and vans
The main consumers of VIS compact vans and pickups are small enterprises that need to quickly and efficiently deliver small consignments. Most fully meet such requirements and passenger traveling subcompacts, and among their main advantages it is necessary to highlight:
- compactness;
- low cost;
- low operational costs;
- low-cost maintenance;
- fast speed of cargo delivery;
- universality.
All the indicated advantages are possessed by VAZ Kabul vehicles manufactured on the basis of Volga passenger cars by the VIS-AUTO enterprise.