Lawn Next was presented in 2014. This project was the first serious product of the Gorky Automobile Plant in the last ten years. The developers planned to win great demand not only in the domestic market, but also in foreign markets.
The concept of a "Russian" car was invested in a medium-duty truck. According to official data, slightly more than 90% of all components are produced by domestic enterprises. This is its main feature within the framework of the "import substitution" program, which has been operating in our country for the last 2 years. The machine combines high reliability and attractive design, thanks to which it quickly gained leadership in the Russian market and in some CIS countries.
History and purpose
In 2014, after the release of several announcements, the new transport was positioned as a replacement for several outdated families at once. The first to be replaced was the 3307 model, which was produced for more than 30 years and could not cope with modern tasks. The name of the new product is taken from the people - Lawn. That is what the owners called the old trucks among themselves. The last generation 33088 also went down in history after the release of Next.
When developing a new generation, engineers used the best solutions from previous products, which were sold in the amount of two million copies. Their high quality is confirmed by the fact that about half of the machines are still in operation. Despite this, 3307 and 33088 began to give way to competition from foreign counterparts. Because of this, Gorkov seriously thought about designing a new truck that would return the company to its former popularity.
The first demonstration of the GAZon Next pickup truck took place under the supervision of the President of the country - Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. The company's management promised customers high performance and a large supply of working resources. From foreign units, they took the German ZF transmission. Thanks to the competent combination of Russian and foreign developments, it was possible to achieve high quality.
Currently, there is one generation of Next, which every month is increasing its popularity in various sectors of the national economy. For 2 years of mass production, many competitors were forced out of the market. The GAZon Next car belongs to the middle class, but is capable of carrying up to 5 tons of cargo (in fact, it is possible to move with overload). Buyers have several options available, differing from each other in some dimensions. You can also purchase the GAZon Next chassis to install any add-on.
Next is positioned as a whole family, which includes off-road, universal and urban options (Next City Lawn). The first is considered a follower of the 66th model with an improved platform. The second is based on the GAZ-3307, which has improved wheels and increased ground clearance, which provides it with high cross-country ability. The city (Next City Lawn) version differs from the universal one in reduced tires, which makes it impossible to move off-road. Two cabin options are available: for 3 and 7 people.
Pros and cons
The benefits include:
- Small dimensions with high load capacity;
- Simple device, high reliability, maintainability and high supply of specialized stores with original components;
- Acceptable cost for the Russian market;
- Easy loading and unloading even on limited terrain;
- Favorable guarantee from GAZ - 150 thousand km or 3 years.
Despite the large number of advantages, the car has several disadvantages:
- Poor resistance to aggressive environmental influences;
- The average level of assembly, inferior to foreign counterparts.
There are more pluses than minuses. The existing shortcomings have little effect on the quality of work.
Characteristics
Two platforms are considered the main ones - standard and extended. They differ in some respects. Specifications C41R11 / C41R31:
- Length - 6.4 / 7.9 m;
- Width - 2.3 m;
- Height - 2.4 m;
- Clearance - 26.5 cm;
- Wheelbase - 3.8 m / 4.5 m;
- Front track - 1.7 m;
- Rear track - 1.7 m;
- Gross weight - 8.7 tons;
- Load capacity - 5 t / 4.7 t.
The customer can optionally increase the ground clearance up to 31.5 cm. Standard platforms can hold 12-40 cubic meters (depending on modification). At the factory, you can make a personal order with a capacity increased to 45 cubic meters.
Gazelle Lawn Next is capable of accelerating up to 110 km / h when fully loaded. At an average speed of 80 km / h, fuel consumption is 18 liters, at 60 km / h - 13.6 liters. There is enough power to overcome 30 percent climbs.
The loading height of universal models is 1.3 meters, in urban (Next City GAZon) it is reduced to 1.17 m. To increase the cross-country ability of the off-road version, the developers had to sacrifice the carrying capacity. It has been reduced to three tons.
Engine
The machines are equipped with two power units.
YaMZ 534
Collected in Yaroslavl. This power plant is used by the 2013 GAZ-3309 transport. Especially for the new generation, the Yaroslavl enterprise released a modernized version - 5344. Its design was supplemented with a charge air cooler and turbocharging. The high quality of the development is confirmed by the international award of the Adam Smith Institute.
When developing the engine, experts were guided by European standards. The motor was adapted for the use of Russian fuel and for the peculiarities of domestic roads. This is marked by stable operation in severe frosts.
Refueled with diesel fuel. The manufacturer declared a mark of 700 thousand kilometers as a reserve of a working resource. The power unit can withstand high loads due to the transmission ratio configurations. Conforms to environmental standards "Euro-4".
Specifications YaMZ 5344:
- Volume - 4.43 l;
- Power - 101 hp (4x2) and 109.5 hp (4x4);
- Maximum torque - 490 Nm;
- Number of cylinders - 4;
- Weight - 470 kg.
Foreign analogue of YaMZ 5344, which has long been used in the Russian developments of the Gorky Automobile Plant. It withstands harsh winters and runs on Russian diesel fuel. The disadvantage of the engine is the installation of a preheater as an additional option. The design features are cooling of the supplied air and a liquid cooling system. Meets the environmental requirements of the Euro-4 international standard.
Features of the Cummins ISF engine:
- Volume - 3.76 l;
- Power - 112 hp;
- Maximum torque - 497 Nm;
- Weight - 335 kg.
Device
Suspension
For a new generation of trucks, a unique suspension has been developed using modern technologies. It provides a smooth ride and smooth braking. The design of the front springs has been completely redesigned. To improve the quality of movement, it was equipped with anti-roll bars (one for each axle) and foreign shock absorbers. In the next couple of years, the GAZon Next air suspension may appear. The strength of the frame was increased by additional elements, a cataphoretic coating was applied to the surface to protect against corrosion.
Brake system
Pneumatic braking mechanisms were developed for vehicles weighing up to 12 tons, so they work stably and for a long time without breakdowns on the GAZon Next truck. Thanks to pneumatic parts, the driver does not need to exert much effort to fully depress the brake pedal. All wheels are equipped with disc brakes.
The possibility of slipping is excluded by the presence of the ABS system. The drive wheels work in conjunction with ARS, which eliminates slippage at start (positively affects when driving on gravel and ice). EBD is responsible for the stability of the van during heavy braking. The main feature is the presence of these auxiliary systems as standard, which has never been on the Russian market before. If necessary, the driver can turn them off.
The reserve of a working resource of brake mechanisms is 200 thousand kilometers. With careful operation, the indicator can be increased by several tens of thousands of kilometers. The instrument panel is equipped with a brake system status indicator. If a defect occurs, he notifies the driver about the malfunction.
checkpoint
All varieties of the family are equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. The designers took as a basis the development of previous generations, modifying them with modern technologies. Unlike older models, the van's transmission runs silently. This was achieved by installing Italian synchronizers on all steps except the first. The gearbox mainly consists of foreign components.
A maintenance-free driveline is supplied by Dana. It has high strength, does not require regular lubrication during the active operation of equipment. In order for it to work stably, the driver needs to check every 20 thousand kilometers.
The cabin from the GAZelle Next was taken as a basis, fitting it to the modern requirements of European developments. The main difference from the previous generation is the presence of a massive shockproof bumper. The design turned out to be modern, the GAZon Next truck tractor stands out from the general flow of cars in modern megacities.
The cabin turned out to be spacious, the buyer can choose between two options: 3- and 7-seater. Interior trim is simple but modern. In it, the driver and passengers feel comfortable. Long trips are less tiring for the driver due to the many mechanical seat adjustments. He can customize everything according to his preferences. Noise and thermal insulation are made at a high level. Good visibility is provided by the windshield and large side mirrors. Armrests are included as standard on the van.
The steering wheel turned out to be comfortable, but with a limited number of configurations. It can only be adjusted by the angle of inclination. Built-in power steering simplifies handling, reduces driver fatigue. The steering wheel has buttons for remote control of the built-in tape recorder.
The basic version has a steel body. For an additional fee, the buyer can order its manufacture from aluminum with additional corrosion protection.
Modifications
All varieties of the family are created by installing various add-ons on the chassis. There are a large number of them, but not all are in the greatest demand.
It has a large capacity, transports goods weighing up to 4.25 tons. It is used in agriculture and construction. The volume with standard sides (0.6 m) is 4.7 cubic meters. You can install high sides (1.4 m), as a result of which the capacity increases to 9.7 cubic meters. The main advantage is the self-unloading function. To simplify loading, a CMU is additionally installed.
Superstructure with built-in refrigeration equipment used to transport food, plants and medicines. The van is assembled from modern panels that maintain the required temperature inside the body. The walls are finished with food-grade, environmentally friendly material. The minimum temperature is -20 degrees Celsius. It is possible to install additional eutectic plates, lowering it to -30 degrees. Installation of CMU is not provided.
A standard van with a body made according to European technologies. It has folding sides (except for the front), so that loading and unloading takes a minimum of time. An awning can be installed on a special frame to protect the cargo from precipitation. It is possible to install CMU with an absent awning.
Van with increased platform up to 7 meters. The capacity has been increased to 45 cubic meters, and the carrying capacity is 4.4 tons. The Super model can be equipped with a CMU (if not using an awning) to simplify the loading and unloading of materials from the body.
Lawn Next Farmer
The legendary Jaeger has been replaced as a farmer. Thanks to the large wheels, the transport is able to move on the ground and off-road. The cabin is designed for the driver and six passengers. Modification is used in many areas, but the main one is agriculture. The machine can be equipped with special equipment, making it a mobile workshop. The side lawn of this version provides for the installation of CMU.
Lawn Next isometric van
The machine is used to transport products. Environmentally friendly materials (galvanized without toxins) used in the assembly of the van provide good thermal insulation due to internal insulation. The body is assembled from panels or in a frame way.
It is used to transport other vehicles. Loading is carried out using a strong winch. The platform can be lowered at an angle for self-loading of another vehicle. The buyer can specify the parameters when ordering.
There are many other modifications that have a narrower scope. Over the past year, many GAZon Next garbage trucks have been produced, which today can be found in large cities. Soon it is planned to use them in all settlements of Russia.
What can be the conclusion?
The new generation of medium-duty trucks of the Gorky Automobile Plant is a successful project. It incorporates the strengths of previous developments and many innovative solutions. Transport is used in many commercial organizations.
The cost of the simplest configuration in the primary market is 1,580,000 rubles. Due to the installation of additional options (which includes the GAZon Next manipulator), the price can rise to 1,830,000 rubles. In the secondary market, you can buy a car for 1-1.5 million rubles (depending on the external and technical condition). Payback is 2-2.5 years. This is 1.5-2 times less than that of foreign competitors.