A lot of people were waiting for the commercial van to finally be released at GAZ. And at the international motor show "Commercial Transport" in September 2015, company representatives showed everyone the new "GAZelle-Next", an all-metal wagon. On the basis of this car, a bus and a cargo-passenger modification will also be released.
According to the director of development of commercial vehicles, the company is engaged in the development of a whole gamut of models for the modern market. It is believed that these products will become the main ones in the GAZ lineup.
GAZelle-Next (an all-metal van) should compete fairly with the existing leaders in these markets: Fiat and Mercedes products. According to experts, the excellent technical characteristics of the new model should surpass the analogues of foreign production.
Also, the car should become popular due to its cost, and the excellent value-for-money ratio of “Next” will guarantee success. Let's see what a new commercial truck is.
Geometry
“GAZelle-Next” is an all-metal van made in the maximum possible size for this format. Length is 6157 mm, width with mirrors - 2513 mm. The height of the car is 2753 m. The wheelbase is 3545 mm. Vehicle weight - depending on the modification, but not more than 3.5 tons. The minimum clearance was set at 170 mm.
What can the new "GAZelle-Next"?
A commercial cargo version in the wagon format is capable of transporting about 13.5 cubic meters. m of any cargo. In the cargo-passenger version, six passengers can be accommodated, as well as 9.5 cubic meters of cargo. The bus is designed for 16 passengers.
These are excellent indicators. If we compare the GAZelle-Next (all-metal wagon) with the most popular commercial Sprinter, then the body volume differs only slightly. Mercedes can accommodate 13.4 cubic meters. m
Appearance
The car is beautiful. Yes it is. Its appearance is quite modern and does not make a repulsive impression. The front part is an exact copy of the onboard “Next”, but behind the doors - everything is in the style typical of such cars. On the doors there were made stampings, which seemed to many to be superfluous on the onboard model, but here they got a beautiful finish. Now they are stretched along the sides. The eye stops only on body extensions, but, as the manufacturers assure, the production models will be painted using a different technology, and there will be no seams at all. Look at how the new GAZelle-Next, an all-metal wagon, looks like - there is a photo of the body in the article.
There is an opinion that the body will succumb to the effects of corrosion not like the onboard older brother. Each part is made of galvanized steel, as well as fiberglass. Modifications can be distinguished by the rear glazing. Glazing will be in metal, but not in fiberglass.
This is what the new GAZelle-Next, all-metal wagon looks like - photos demonstrate this.
Salon
Inside the front, everything remained the same as on the onboard model.
However, something was updated. Now, a special joystick is installed on the dashboard to control the gearbox, and after all there used to be a traditional selector lever.
As for the bus and utility vehicles, they have more serious differences.
GAZelle-Next, an all-metal van, has a cab with a triple layout. The cargo compartment, as already mentioned, has a volume of 13.5 cubic meters. m. The side walls of the cargo part are finished with fiberboard. The floor is covered with special plywood with enhanced characteristics of resistance to wear and moisture. A special hatch was placed under the passenger seat, which will allow transporting long loads. To make it convenient to unload and load the truck, the body was equipped with doors with an opening angle of 270 degrees and a side door.
Passenger and cargo Combi
This is a great and versatile solution. What are the reviews of the owners of the GAZelle-Next car? The main plus of the car, which everyone notes is a lot of free space. The car has seven seats for passengers, as well as a cargo compartment. A convenient shelf is located above the first seats. There you can put about 30 kg of various things. The next row of seats can be transformed into a comfortable place to sleep. To make it convenient for passengers, the engineers equipped the cabin with special folding tables, a 12V socket and LED-based lighting.
GAZelle Next bus
There are 16 seats for passengers. Each seat is equipped with seat belts.
The interior is quite tall, and the footboard may seem low. For convenience of landing, the side door opening is made quite large. Three heaters and an air conditioning system are responsible for a comfortable temperature. You can see the new "GAZelle-Next" (van). Photos of this bus are in the article.
Chassis
The backbone of this van is a very sturdy frame.
If we compare the model with the onboard version, then here the frame was additionally reinforced with stiffeners. In addition, the rear suspension system has been completely redesigned. To get a softer ride, engineers used long leaf springs. Well, in front - a typical independent double-lever design on springs. In all other respects, this is the same platform as on-board "brother."
GAZelle-Next (all-metal wagon): technical specifications
For GAZ vans, several powertrain options were proposed that will work with a 5-speed manual gearbox. By the way, the engineers were forced to use a reinforced checkpoint, which worked on a frame-panel bus. It is distinguished by intermediate shaft supports, bearings with improved characteristics, as well as a larger width of the rims on the gears.
So, you can choose from three models. These are diesel in-line four-cylinder Cummins ISF. The volume is 2.8 liters. The engines are equipped with a Common Rail system, there is a turbocharger, as well as an air cooler. The first unit is capable of 120 liters. from. at 3600 rpm. The older model can produce 149.6 horses at 3400 rpm.
In addition, a four-cylinder atmospheric gasoline engine with a multipoint injection system is offered. The volume is 2.7 liters and the power is 106 horsepower.
Regardless of the modifications, the GAZel-Next truck (all-metal wagon) can accelerate to 130 km. Manufacturers are silent about other dynamic characteristics.
Fuel consumption
According to GAZ, with an average speed of 80 km / h, diesel consumption will be about 10.3-10.6 l / 100 km under combined driving conditions.
Rack type steering system. Also, for ease of control, ABS is used, which works with disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear.
Options and cost
Prices for this truck start from 1,100 thousand rubles. The cargo-passenger modification will cost 70,000 more to everyone, but the minibus has no price so far.
In the basic configuration, buyers will receive optics with halogen lamps, a trip computer, steel wheels, power windows on the front doors, noise insulation, engine heater and electrically heated mirrors.
GAZelle-Next: owner reviews
Owners are very flattering about the onboard version. She showed herself perfectly. Many people like the suspension. They also note reliability, a more sensitive and responsive steering wheel, excellent directional stability.
It is still unknown how the new truck will behave, but many hope that everything will be fine. After all, it was the onboard car that was taken for the base.
The car belongs to a series of commercial cars. This is a real business model, which is perfect for small-tonnage cargo transportation, which can create powerful competition for popular foreign cars.
Look at the design of the GAZelle-Next truck (all-metal wagon). The photo in the article speaks very well about the nature of the truck.