"Volga-Siber": reviews, model history

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The domestic auto industry rarely pleases Russian drivers with new models. At the same time, the so-called "new" ones often differ little from the old ones. But there are also cars that are confusing. These include "Volga-Siber". Reviews about the model are contradictory, since the car itself is very unusual. Drivers do not even have a clear understanding of whether this is a Russian car or an American one. Hence the conflicting opinions: someone considers the latest Volga model an unsuccessful copy of the progenitor from the USA, while others consider it an undeservedly forgotten people's car. Which one is closer to the truth?

American Ancestor

"Volga" can be considered a kind of continuation of the American sedan "Chrysler-Sebring". Most of the specifications match the original, which allows the use of spare parts designed for Chrysler. Mainthe differences are in the improved design and derated engine. Also "Siber" is characterized by increased ground clearance. A steel engine guard has been installed to provide better protection from damage.

Characteristically, the car is more than 80% made from Canadian components. This is confirmed by the inscriptions in English on the spare parts. But there are also components made in Russia. These include only interior trim, optics and individual small parts. But, based on the quality of domestic components, this is more of a plus than a minus.

Most of the negative reviews about Volga-Siber are prejudices. They are based on the fact that this is a model of the domestic GAZ brand, and what is produced in Russia cannot be good a priori. However, it is fair to say that this is still an American car, albeit adapted for Russia. It differs little from other foreign cars assembled in Russia.

Body

He is the most prominent element in the car. It is characterized by a strongly sloping roof and windshield. The car is ideal for traveling at high speed on the highway. Hence the unusually low ceiling with a rather large length of the car. For people accustomed to European forms, this feature immediately catches the eye, which is confirmed by the reviews of the owners of the Volga-Siber with a photo of the car in profile.

Thanks to the shape of the body, "Siber" has excellentaerodynamic properties, which, coupled with good handling makes the car comfortable for long trips. But not for tall people. Drivers who are over 185 cm tall will find it difficult to sit comfortably in the seat. At the same time, the cabin is quite spacious, so passengers will feel quite comfortable.

Special attention deserves the quality of the body. It has a chrome finish and is therefore less prone to rot. Some owners write in reviews that doors start to creak quickly, and their limiters often break.

Engine

Initially, it was planned to complete cars with different versions of engines. But in the end, only a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine went into the series. For the sake of Russian tax legislation, it was derated to 143 hp. With. Because of this, the motor is significantly inferior to its "classmates" in terms of power characteristics. But high engine life and moderate appetite cannot be taken away from him.

According to the reviews, the characteristics of "Volga-Siber" in terms of fuel consumption correspond to the manufacturer's statement. The car consumes about 8 l / 100 km, which is very good for a motor of such power. And one of the main advantages of the engine can be called work on the AI-92.

Gearbox

Most of the cars were equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, which is also an advantage of Volga-Siber. Reviews of car owners about the model almost always affect several important factors: volumeengine, cabin size and, of course, the presence of an automatic transmission. Equivalent analogues are much more expensive.

Often it is the automatic transmission that turns out to be the decisive argument in favor of choosing this model. The automatic transmission is more reliable if the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance are followed. On the other hand, it does not reach the "mechanics" in terms of performance. On some "Sibers", released later, a five-speed manual transmission was also installed. But they are few enough.

Salon

"Sibers" were richly equipped, which included such rare options for Russian cars:

• full disc brakes;
• traction control system;
• system of exchange rate stability;
• quality heated seats;
• front airbags.

More expensive configurations had additional "chips" like a leather interior or an advanced audio system. Reviews about the "Volga-Siber" in terms of exterior are different. Everything good in the cabin is spoiled by poor sound insulation. But not always. So, for some owners, the interior rattles, while for others, on the contrary, it is made very high quality. The only explanation that can be given to such a phenomenon is that the production of the car either stopped or started again. Accordingly, the quality was different in different years.

Conclusion

Among the many reviews about the car "Volga-Siber "there is practically no serious criticism of American-made components. Their quality is not too different from their counterparts, while the car is much cheaper. The main disadvantages are related to the little things determined by the Russian assembly. This may be a poor-quality interior or minor minor breakdowns. But the main thing is that the body and all the main "stuffing" correspond to high American quality. This is where the prevailing positive reviews about the "Volga-Siber" come from the owners who drive the car for a long time.