GAZelle is perhaps the most famous commercial vehicle in Russia. It is produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant since the 94th year. On the basis of this machine, many modifications have been created. But the most popular GAZelle is freight. What are its features, what engines were installed on it, and how much does this car cost? We will consider all this in our article today.
Appearance
In the period from 1994 to 2003, the car was produced in this form:
The machine has several similar parts to the Volga. This is primarily a black plastic bumper, the same grille and square headlights. The cargo GAZelle was intended for the transportation of various cargoes. Basically, you can find onboard versions, tilt and isothermal booths. As practice has shown, this car is ideal for working in a cargo taxi. GAZelle had category B and could drive in the same place as the passenger car (which the Lawns and Gobies could not do).
In 2003, an update took place. In this form, the car is still being produced (with the exception of the Nekstov). So, the car received teardrop-shaped headlights, a new grille and a more durable bumper. Otherwise, the appearance of the car has not changed.
In 2013, GAZ produced a completely new cargo GAZelle - the Next. She got a wider cab with a different bumper, doors and optics.
About corrosion
There is an opinion that a GAZelle truck often rusts. This is partly true. But this concerns far from all models. So, the very first GAZelles turned out to be the most resistant to corrosion. But the models that were produced from 2006 to 2009 did not differ in high-quality painting. Enamel often clambered, the metal quickly rusted. As for Nekstov, they are better protected against corrosion. Reviews do not cause any complaints.
Salon
Let's start with the very first GAZelle. Interior design is the simplest. There is no expensive finish here - fabric seats and hard plastic on the dashboard.
Normally, the machine was not equipped with a radio, although a hole is provided for this. The salon is designed for three people, including the driver. There were also versions of the "Farmer", characterized by a more spacious interior. Such gazelles are designed for four passengers. Since 2003, the interior has changed. At the same time, the same seats, steering wheel and door cards remained.
The instrument panel, the center console has changed. There was a cover on the glove compartment on the passenger side. Visibility inside is good. However, the salon still did not have comfort. The inside is very noisy.
With the release of the cargo Gazelle "Next", the interior has changed dramatically. So, a more compact four-spoke steering wheel, an informative instrument panel and an easy-to-use center console appeared. Sound insulation and quality of finishing materials improved, seats were replaced. The car is still designed for three people.
The car could be equipped with a multimedia system (nominally there are speakers in the door cards), power windows and heated mirrors. But the air conditioning is still missing.
Specifications
Initially, a GAZelle truck was powered by a Volga engine. It was a motor ZMZ-402. With a volume of 2.4 liters, he developed a capacity of 100 horsepower. Of course, these characteristics were not enough to transport cargo weighing one and a half tons. In view of this, both the engine itself and the gearbox (which was also from the Volga, were loaded. Therefore, Gazelle often boiled, the clutch disc wore out. Owing to this, the owners constantly refined the cooling system by installing other thermostats and more powerful fans on the radiator (and the radiator itself changed to the one with more than the number of sections.) Only after such improvements could the machine work in its temperature mode, without overheating.
With the release of the second generation (recall, it was 2003), the motor has changed. Now the cargo GAZelle is equipped with a 406th engine. This is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Among the differences is the presence of a 16-valve head. Thanks to many improvements, this engine began to develop 130 horsepower. This engine was more or less enough so that the car did not “blow off” on the slopes and normally transported goods. But the cooling system still required improvements - say the reviews. The owners also had problems with the stove (the faucet was out of order).
In 2006, the GAZelle began to install an injection engine. They became ZMZ-405. This unit has a working volume of 2.5 liters and develops a capacity of 150 horsepower. It is the most powerful gasoline engine. There were no particular problems with it, with the exception of increased oil consumption. In view of this, the owners did their best to modify the valve cover.
Cummins motors are already installed on the Next. These are Chinese-made turbodiesel power units. Surprisingly, they turned out to be very resourceful. According to reviews, mileage to overhaul is 450-500 thousand kilometers. With a displacement of 2.8 liters, Cummins develops 135 horsepower. Compared to the 405th engine, the “Chinese” is more torquey, reviews say. The machine responds better to the gas pedal and steadily goes through the climbs even when fully loaded.
Fuel consumption
Since all GAZelles are operated with HBO, we will talk about gas consumption. The most voracious is the very first unit - ZMZ-402. He could consume up to 23 liters per 100 kilometers. Since the motor is not designed for such loads, it constantly consumed fuel. The 406th motor spends about 20 liters in the city. The same can be said about the 405th. However, the latter already has a higher power and larger cylinder capacity. As for the diesel Cummins, it consumes about 13 liters per hundred and is the most economical among all others.
Running
The machine has a simple suspension scheme. In front there is a spring beam, behind - a continuous bridge with springs. Shock absorbers - hydraulic, double-acting. By the way, the rear shock absorbers are identical to the GAZ-53. In order to transport heavy goods on a cargo GAZelle, the owners strengthened the frame and increased the springs. Also note that over time springs on this machine sag. They do not have to be changed - just ride on special equipment. As a rule, such an operation is required every four years. The pivots in the front also wear out over the years. To delay their repair as much as possible, they should be extruded. For this, special holes are provided in the upper and lower parts. In addition, after lubricating the pivots, the steering wheel spins much easier - reviews say.
Note that on the GAZelles of the Next series, an independent independent suspension with ball bearings is installed in front. As elastic elements helical springs are used. But as practice shows, the previous design was more reliable. However, in the corners, the GAZelle with the new suspension does not heel as much as before. This is a big plus.
The brakes
The brake system is hydraulic, with a vacuum booster. There are pads in front, and drums in the back. Surprisingly, the resource of pads here is large (despite the fact that the machine is constantly loaded). However, the more cargo in the body, the lower the effectiveness of the brakes. Therefore, you must always keep your distance in the stream.
Price
How much is a cargo gazelle? The price of these cars is different. The cheapest are models of the 90s. They can be found for 40-70 thousand rubles. If we talk about 10-year-old cars, then a cargo GAZelle will cost about 200-300 thousand. This applies to the secondary market. New "Nexts" cost from 860 thousand rubles in the execution of the "chassis". Euro platform costs about one million rubles.