Truck GAZelle: photo, specifications, vehicle features and reviews

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

GAZelle is perhaps the most famous commercial vehicle in Russia. It has been produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant since 1994. Based on this machine, many modifications have been created. But the most popular GAZelle is a cargo one. What are its features, what engines were installed on it, and how much does this car cost? We will consider all this in our today's article.

Appearance

From 1994 to 2003, the car was produced in this form:

The car has several similar parts with the Volga. This is primarily a black plastic bumper, the same grille and square headlights. A cargo GAZelle was intended for the transportation of various cargoes. Basically, you can find on-board versions, tent and isothermal booths. As practice has shown, this car is ideal for working in a cargo taxi. GAZelle had category B and could drive in the same place as a passenger car (which GAZons and Bulls could not do).

In 2003, there was an update. In this form, the car is still produced (with the exception of the "Nexts"). So, the car received drop-shaped headlights, a new grille and a more durable bumper. Otherwise, the appearance of the car has not changed.

In 2013, GAZ produced a completely new cargo GAZelle - "Next". She received a wider cabin with a different bumper, doors and optics.

About corrosion

There is an opinion that a GAZelle truck often rusts. Partly it is. But this does not apply to all models. So, the very first GAZelles turned out to be the most resistant to corrosion. But the models that were produced from 2006 to 2009 did not differ in high-quality painting. The enamel often peeled off, the metal quickly rusted. As for the Nexts, they are better protected from corrosion. Reviews do not cause any complaints.

Salon

Let's start with the very first GAZelle. Interior design is the easiest. There is no expensive trim here - fabric seats and hard plastic on the dash.

Nominally, the car was not equipped with a radio, although a hole was provided for this. The salon is designed for three people, including the driver. There were also versions of the "Farmer", featuring a more spacious interior. Such GAZelles are already designed for four passengers. Since 2003, the salon has changed. At the same time, the same seats, steering wheel and door cards remained.

The instrument panel has changed,center console. There was a cover on the glove box on the passenger side. Visibility inside is good. However, the salon still did not have comfort. Very noisy inside.

With the release of the cargo GAZelle Next, the interior has changed dramatically. So, a more compact four-spoke steering wheel, an informative instrument panel and an easy-to-use center console appeared. The sound insulation and quality of finishing materials have improved, the seats have been replaced. The car is still designed for three people.

The car could be equipped with a multimedia system (normally there are speakers in the door cards), power windows and heated mirrors. But there is still no air conditioning.

Specifications

Initially, a Volga engine was installed on a GAZelle truck. It was the ZMZ-402 engine. With a volume of 2.4 liters, it developed a power of 100 horsepower. Of course, these characteristics were not enough to transport goods weighing one and a half tons. In view of this, both the engine itself and the box were loaded (which was also from the Volga. Therefore, the GAZelle often boiled, the clutch disc wore out. In view of this, the owners constantly refined the cooling system by installing other thermostats and more powerful fans on the radiator (and the radiator itself changed to one with more sections.) Only after such modifications the machine could work in its temperature regime, without overheating.

With the release of the second generation (recall, it was 2003), the motor has also changed. Now cargoGAZelle is equipped with the 406th engine. This is a gasoline four-cylinder engine of 2.3 liters. Among the differences is the presence of a 16-valve head. Thanks to many improvements, this motor began to develop 130 horsepower. This engine was already more or less enough so that the car did not “deflate” on the slopes and transported goods normally. But the cooling system still required improvements - note the reviews. The owners also had problems with the stove (the faucet failed).

In 2006, an injection engine was installed on the GAZelle. They became ZMZ-405. This unit has a working volume of 2.5 liters and develops a power of 150 horsepower. This is the most powerful gasoline engine. There were no particular problems with it, with the exception of increased oil consumption. In view of this, the owners in every possible way finalized the valve cover.

Cummins engines are already being installed on Nexts. These are Chinese-made turbodiesel power units. Surprisingly, they turned out to be very resourceful. According to reviews, the mileage before overhaul is 450-500 thousand kilometers. With a working volume of 2.8 liters, Cummins develops 135 horsepower. Compared to the 405th engine, the "Chinese" is more torquey - reviews say. The car responds better to the gas pedal and confidently climbs even when fully loaded.

Fuel consumption

Since all GAZelles are operated with LPG, let's talk about gas consumption. The most voracious is the very first unit - ZMZ-402. He could consume up to 23 liters per 100 kilometers. Since the motor is not designed for such loads, itwas constantly running out of fuel. The 406th engine spends about 20 liters in the city. The same can be said about the 405th. However, the latter already has a higher power and a larger volume of cylinders. As for the diesel Cummins, it consumes about 13 liters per hundred and is the most economical of all.

Undercarriage

The machine has the simplest suspension scheme. There is a spring beam at the front, and a continuous bridge with springs at the rear. Shock absorbers - hydraulic, double-acting. By the way, the rear shock absorbers are identical to the GAZ-53. In order to transport heavy loads on a cargo GAZelle, the owners strengthened the frame and increased the springs. Also note that over time, the springs on this machine sag. They do not have to be changed - it is enough to roll them on special equipment. As a rule, such an operation is required every four years. Also, the kingpins in the front wear out over the years. To delay their repair as much as possible, they should be injected. For this, special holes are provided in the upper and lower parts. In addition, after lubricating the pivots, the steering wheel turns much easier - reviews note.

Note that on the GAZelles of the Next series, an independent suspension with ball bearings is already installed in front. Coil springs are used as elastic elements. But as practice shows, the previous design was more reliable. However, in corners, the GAZelle with the new suspension does not roll as much as before. This is a big plus.

Brakes

Brake system - hydraulic, with vacuumamplifier. There are pads in front, drums in the back. Surprisingly, the pad resource is large here (despite the fact that the machine is constantly loaded). However, the more cargo in the body, the less effective the brakes. Therefore, in the flow, you must always keep your distance.

Price

How much does a cargo GAZelle cost? The prices for these cars vary. The cheapest models are from the 90s. They can be found for 40-70 thousand rubles. If we talk about 10-year-old cars, then a cargo GAZelle will cost about 200-300 thousand. This is for the secondary market. New "Nexts" cost from 860 thousand rubles in the performance of the "chassis". The Europlatform costs about one million rubles.