In the mid-90s, the Gorky Automobile Plant launched a Gazelle small-tonnage truck, which quickly became popular. But for many buyers, a one and a half ton truck was often large and used partially loaded. It was for such people in 1998 that a family of light delivery vehicles was created.
Delivery "animals"
The family included the GAZ-2310 flatbed truck, the GAZ-2752 van, and the GAZ-2217 and GAZ-22171 buses. Vans had the Sobol brand, and buses had the Barguzin brand. The machines were equipped with the same wheelbase of 2760 m and independent front wheel suspension on levers and springs. Since the carrying capacity of the cars did not exceed 900 kg, a single-tire busbar was used on the rear axle. A variant with an early appearance is shown in the photo below.
The GAZ-22171 car was equipped with an increased roof height and was produced in two versions - for six and ten passengers, not counting the driver. Small series produced a version of the bus with four-wheel drive.
Design features of the first cars
The basic version of the minibus was equipped with a ZMZ-402 carbureted four-cylinder engine. With a cylinder volume of just under 2.5 liters, the engine developed 100 liters. from. This version of the car was produced until 2005. The second popular option was the ZMZ-406.3 carburetor engine. The third power unit was the ZMZ-406, equipped with a distributed fuel injection system. These two four-cylinder engines with a displacement of almost 2.3 liters developed 100 and 110 forces, respectively. Very rarely there was a diesel version of the bus equipped with an 85-horsepower licensed GAZ-510 engine.
In 2003, new engines were added, significantly increasing the consumer and technical characteristics of the GAZ-22171. Gasoline ZMZ-40522.10 had a capacity of about 140 liters. with. and turbo diesel GAZ-5601 - 95 liters. from. Both engines fully comply with Euro-2 exhaust standards.
Restyling
In 2003, all cars of the Sobol family were modernized by analogy with Gazelle cars. The change affected the design of the front part, in which new wings, hood, headlights and grille began to be used. Another dashboard appeared in the cabin, and a number of minor changes took place. The appearance of the upgraded bus is shown in the photo.
In 2008, GAZ-22171 began to put motors that meet the requirements of Euro-3. As an option, the car could be equipped with an imported 137-horsepower Chrysler gasoline engine. A year later, it became possible to install a 107-horsepower four-cylinder engine UMZ-4216.10.
Modern version
In early 2010, the family of light trucks underwent yet another modernization. In accordance with the new concept, the car was called "Sable Business". At the end of the year, the 128-horsepower diesel Cummins ISF2.8 s4129P was installed on the machines. External changes affected the shape and design of the bumper and body colors. Much more changes were inside - a new dashboard, an improved heating and ventilation system, a more comfortable interior. The Business version is shown in the photo below.
In contrast to the Gazelle, the release of the old version of the car, which apparently corresponds to 2003 restyling, was preserved. Such cars are delivered by order of various law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation.
At the moment, only options with six passenger seats are available under the designation "Sable Business" 22171 (with rear drive wheels) and 221717 (with all drives). Between the seats of the second (with two seats) and the third row (with three seats) there is a folding table. Cars have a so-called "average" roof height. Both types of drive are available with diesel and gasoline engines. The gasoline version is equipped with a modernized Ulyanovsk 107-horsepower EVOTECH A274 engine.
Both options are equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. The gasoline version accelerates to 135 km / h, while the diesel version only up to 120 km / h. At the same time, diesel is traditionally more economical than gasoline - consumption at a speed of 80 km / h is 9 and 11 liters, respectively.
The all-wheel drive version has a transfer case with a Morse chain drive in the transmission design. Cars have a maximum speed lower by 5-10 km / h and higher fuel consumption (an average of 1.5-2.0 liters). But the cross-country ability of such cars is much higher than that of counterparts with rear drive wheels.