2014 has become a truly significant year for the Gorky Automobile Plant. The company presented one of the main novelties of the decade in its product line. GAZon Next, following the GAZelle Next, had to conquer not only the domestic, but also the foreign market.
The main emphasis in Nizhny Novgorod was placed on localization. GAZon Next can be safely called a domestic truck. Up to 90% of all parts present in its design are produced in Russia. This is precisely the main advantage of the car, which is guaranteed a cloudless future. GAZon Next is not only attractive, but also reliable. These qualities make it the main contender for leadership in the medium-duty truck segment in Russia.
In 2014, after a series of intriguing announcements, the GAZ Group presented a unique car for our country - the GAZon Next. The novelty was positioned as a changer for several popular families at once. First of all, in Nizhny Novgorod they decided to say goodbye to the GAZ-3307 model, the production of which began back in the Soviet era (in 1987). In almost 30 years of production, the truck is seriously outdated, despite several upgrades. At the same time, the marketers of the GAZ Group did not rack their brains and called the new product "Gazon" - that's what the people called the company's previous products. GAZon Next also became the successor to the latest generation GAZ-33088.
For a quarter of a century, the brand has sold over 2 million GAZ-3307 and GAZ-33088. And almost half of them are now successfully operated. However, due to the need to update the fleet of vehicles, medium and small businesses increasingly began to choose foreign products. Consumers did not want to buy obsolete equipment even at a low cost. This became a prerequisite for the creation of a fundamentally new model.
The President of Russia attended the premiere of the truck, which indicates the high significance of this event. The manufacturer promised the future owners of the model the durability of the design and excellent performance. Despite the serious localization of production, GAZon Next is a fusion of domestic and foreign elements. So, the car received the cabin of the latest generation of the GAZelle, the clutch from the German company ZF and the Valdai brake system. This principle allowed us to make a truly high-quality product.
The history of the GAZon Next has one generation, and the truck itself is only gaining popularity. However, its creators are confident that the truck will be able to outperform most competitors in the medium-duty segment. With a standard base, the equipment is ready to carry a significant mass (up to 5000 kg), which distinguishes it from other vehicles. The manufacturer will offer several variations of the model at once, differing in the type of wheelbase (four by four, four by two), ground clearance (315 and 265 mm) and platform length (standard and extended versions).
GAZon Next is not just a narrow-profile truck, but a large family divided into three groups: off-road, universal and urban. The first is considered the heir to the GAZ-66 (modernized platform and unique characteristics), the second resembles the classic GAZ-3307 and has large wheels, significant ground clearance and good cross-country ability. Its main disadvantage is considered to be a decent loading height. Urban modifications do not have such a minus due to smaller diameter wheels, but they are not suitable for rough terrain. Each of the versions can be equipped with two types of cabins (3- and 7-seater).
The main advantages of the model:
- compactness with due capacity;
- simplicity of design, availability of spare parts and high maintainability;
- relatively low cost;
- the possibility of loading (unloading) in a limited space;
- manufacturer's warranty (150,000 km or 3 years).
The standard GAZon Next chassis allows you to install various types of superstructures, which significantly expands the scope of the vehicle (vans, dump trucks, garbage trucks, tow trucks, tanks, manipulators, aerial platforms, and others). The most popular are onboard versions, which are used to transport various types of cargo over long and medium distances.
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Specifications
Lawn Next is offered with 2 types of platforms. Dimensions taken from 2 different sources.
Characteristics of the C41R11 version (standard base):
- length - 6435 mm;
- width - 2307 mm;
- height - 2418 mm;
- ground clearance - 265 mm;
- wheelbase - 3770 mm;
- front track - 1740 mm;
- rear track - 1690 mm;
- gross weight - 8700 kg;
- load capacity - 5000 kg.
Characteristics of the C41R31 version (extended platform):
- length - 7910 mm;
- width - 2307 mm;
- height - 2418 mm;
- ground clearance - 265 mm;
- wheelbase - 4515 mm;
- front track - 1740 mm;
- rear track - 1690 mm;
- gross weight - 8700 kg;
- load capacity - 4700 kg.
The GAZ Group offers modifications with increased ground clearance - 315 mm. The platform capacity of the model is 12-40 cubic meters. The extended platform can accommodate up to 45 cubic meters of cargo.
The maximum speed for all versions is 110 km / h. The average fuel consumption at a speed of 80 km / h is 18 l / 100 km, at a speed of 60 km / h - 13.6 l / 100 km (highway). The maximum climb to be overcome is 30%.
The difference in parameters also manifests itself with regard to the type of machine. The universal version has a loading height of 1300 mm, urban - 1170 mm. A special off-road version has a lower carrying capacity (3000 kg) and greater cross-country ability.
In the basic version, the model is equipped with wheels of radius R20.
Engine
Several options for power plants are available for the GAZon Next car:
1. YaMZ 534 manufactured by the Yaroslavl Motor Plant. The first version of this unit was installed on the GAZ 3309 in 2013. For GAZon Next, a more advanced version of the YaMZ 5344 with a charge air cooler and turbocharging is provided. The installation turned out to be quite successful, which is confirmed by the award for the best innovative technology from the Adam Smith Institute, which was awarded to the Yaroslavl plant for this unit. The YaMZ 5344 engine is a modernized variation of the base series. The technical characteristics of the unit comply with European requirements. The motor itself is adapted to Russian fuel and operating conditions, therefore it tolerates intensive work and sub-zero temperatures well.
The YaMZ 5344 diesel unit is considered one of the most modern and has a service life of up to 700,000 km. Due to the optimally matched gear ratios of the transmission, extreme loads do not occur even in difficult conditions, allowing the engine to work longer. The motor complies with Euro-4 standards.
Characteristics of the YaMZ 5344 motor:
- working volume - 4.43 l;
- rated power (for the four-by-two version) - 101 (137) kW (hp);
- rated power (forced version for the four by four version) - 109.5 (148.9) kW (hp);
- maximum torque - 490 Nm;
- compression ratio - 17.5;
- number of cylinders - 4 (in-line arrangement);
- cylinder diameter - 105 mm;
- weight - 470 kg.
2. Cummins ISF is an alternative to domestic diesel in the GAZon Next line. The unit has proven itself well in working with Russian fuel. He is not afraid of severe frosts. True, pre-heating here comes exclusively as an option. The Cummins ISF 4-stroke engine is air-cooled and liquid-cooled. With YaMZ 5344, this motor is very close, but not identical. The engine complies with Euro-4 requirements.
Features of the Cummins ISF motor:
- working volume - 3.76 l;
- rated power - 112 (152.3) kW (hp);
- maximum torque - 497 Nm;
- weight - 335 kg.
Device
The design of GAZon Next turned out to be quite successful. Its features:
1. Suspension
Automobile equipped with the latest suspension, which performed very well. The course of the car due to it has become softer, and braking is smoother. The truck does not throw to the side, unlike the GAZ 3307 car. The specialists of the GAZ Group modernized the front springs. The suspension also includes anti-roll bars (front and rear) and Tenneco dampers to reduce vibration. While the installation of air suspension is only planned. The equipment received a reinforced frame, although on previous models this element was distinguished by high strength. A special anti-corrosion protection was applied to it - a cataphoretic coating.
2. Brake system
Brake system pneumatic type has increased efficiency. It is designed for models weighing up to 12,000 kg, so it works very effectively on Next Lawn. It provides low pedal pressure and fast response. Disc brakes are installed on all wheels. Also, an innovation unique for domestic trucks appeared - in the basic configuration, the car is equipped with ASR, EBD and ABS systems. Until recently, the presence of an anti-slip system on a Russian truck was considered fantastic, now it is the norm. The ASR system (manufactured by Wabco) reduces the slip of the drive wheels, increasing the acceleration speed. Thanks to this function, the car starts off confidently on gravel and ice. The driver can disable the system if necessary. EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) improves driving stability by minimizing the chance of losing control of the car during hard braking. The brake system also includes a brake pad wear indicator. Their resource is 200,000 km. All-wheel drive versions of GAZon Next in the "base" are equipped with drum brakes.
3. Gearbox
Transmission exclusively mechanical and 5-speed. However, it also differs markedly from its predecessors. So the steering is of integral type. The control of the gearbox and the electronic gas pedal is carried out by means of a joystick. The transmission has become much more reliable, but slightly increased the cost of the model.
Other features of the GAZon Next gearbox:
- 2-5 gears are equipped with Italian synchronizers Oerlikon Graziano. They, coupled with grinding gear teeth, provide almost silent operation of the transmission, increase the reliability of the entire assembly and guarantee easy gear shifting;
- increased thickness of gears;
- foreign SKF bearings;
- cuffs Simrit and Rubena, excluding the possibility of leakage;
- clutch units from Sachs ZF (single-disk clutch, dry);
- no need for double clutch release and regassing.
4. Cardan transmission
Cardan transmission Spicer (Dana) maintenance-free type. The need for lubrication of this element during maintenance is excluded. It is checked every 20,000 km.
5. Tires
In the basic version, GAZon Next is equipped with 8.25R20 Cordiant tires, which are characterized by increased bearing capacity. In the urban version, there are R19.5 wheels with a tubeless tire and without a bead ring.
6. Cabin
The GAZon Next cab is made in accordance with international standards. The cabin module migrated to the truck from the GAZelle Next car. It was supplemented with a large bumper, which made the car a little angular. The appearance of technology cannot be called super-attractive, but in the stream of cars it immediately stands out. There is more space inside the GAZon Next base cabin (3 people can fit here). A double cab with a driver and 6 passengers is also available. Inside, everything is quite simple, but at the same time convenient (most of the elements were moved from the GAZelle Next cab). Among other features, we should highlight a comfortable fit, the presence of ventilation, enlarged mirrors, increased rigidity of the driver's compartment and good sound insulation due to Anvis supports. The multi-adjustable comfort seat with mechanical suspension minimizes driver fatigue even on long journeys. Armrests are already installed in the "base".
7. Rudder
The Lawn Next steering wheel is very ergonomic, but it is adjustable only in tilt. It has a built in radio control. Modern power steering from ZFLS provides easy steering and does not create additional noise. The wheel itself has a smaller radius, which makes it more comfortable. The number of revolutions of a full turn is 4.2.
8. Body
The basic version is equipped with a steel body. Optionally, the manufacturer offers an aluminum body with increased corrosion resistance.
Disadvantages of the GAZon Next model:
- high cost compared to other brand products;
- poor resistance to aggressive external influences;
- build quality is inferior to foreign.
