UAZ "Jaguar" amphibious all-terrain vehicle: photo, specifications

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

Amphibian UAZ "Jaguar" is a project from Ulyanovsk automakers that has almost gone into oblivion. At one time, it could rightfully be considered the pride of domestic manufacturers. Despite the fact that the creation of this all-terrain vehicle began several decades ago, it still has not lost its relevance. Consider the history of its creation, as well as the characteristics and features of the machine.

Development and creation

In 1977, at the automobile plant in Ulyanovsk, the development of special off-road vehicles focused on the needs of the army and the agricultural sector began. The project was led by the famous designer L. A. Startsev. The project began to be developed under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and received the name of the amphibious all-terrain vehicle under the code code UAZ "Jaguar".

The main purpose of the new off-road vehicle is the transportation of personnel, cargo, the installation of special technical devices and the towing of trailers weighing up to 750 kilograms. The machine was made on the basis of modification 3151. In 1978, documentation was presented, in which drawings of various devices occupied a significant amount. This is due to the fact that it was planned to mount severalinnovative nodes. Among them: a winch, lead screws with a power take-off shaft, pumping out pumps, water steering and a few other innovations.

Tests

For six months in 1980, four UAZ Jaguar models were tested. The tests were carried out in various climatic conditions:

1. In Astrakhan on the steppe landscape at temperatures above +40 degrees Celsius.
2. In Yakutia in winter.
3. On a mountain range in the Pamirs, at an altitude of 4600 meters above sea level.

As a result, the amphibian was tested in the temperature range from -45 to +47 degrees. At the same time, the all-terrain vehicle demonstrated excellent performance and successfully overcame most of the obstacles. In parallel with the running-in of equipment, the documentation was being finalized, including the equipment of a water pumping system and a parking brake.

In the second quarter, the developers released two more prototypes of the UAZ car of the Jaguar project. They took into account previous flaws and design flaws. The total distance traveled during testing of all-terrain vehicle samples was about 150 thousand kilometers. As a result, the Ministry of Defense and the automotive industry decided to start serial production of the modification.

Improvement

Within three years (1986-1989), on the basis of the contract between the plant and the KGB, the UAZ 3907 Jaguar model was developed and tested, the photo of which is presented above. The car is intended for border guards, received the second name "Cormorant".

Among the additionalmachine features can be noted the following aspects:

• Availability of six pairs of skis.
• Equipment with a radio station and location system.
• Armament in the form of a light machine gun.

This model was equipped with a carburetor power unit type 4141610. Engine power was 77 horsepower at a maximum speed threshold of 100 km / h. Fuel consumption in mixed mode was about 12 liters for every 100 kilometers.

Design Features

The UAZ “Jaguar” all-terrain vehicle was equipped with a frame of modification 3151. It was improved by welding extensions on the front and rear parts, which made it possible to mount a winch, and also served as bumpers for installing propeller brackets and other additional equipment.

The designers decided not to complicate the project too much, in connection with which axles equipped with wheel reduction gears were used. Short front springs were replaced with an elongated variation, which made it possible to make the amphibious move smoother. Since the developed modification of the UAZ 3907 "Jaguar" was also intended for movement in water, the body of the all-terrain vehicle was made absolutely airtight. This made it possible to protect the machine from moisture and the risk of contamination of the engine and other internal parts and assemblies.

An individual heat exchanger in the cooling system guaranteed the operation of the power unit afloat in an acceptable thermal regime. The winch installed on the all-terrain vehicle is capable of working on the go with the first gear engaged, as well as inin case of unwinding of the cable at reverse speed. The lifting device is driven by the power take-off.

The interior of the army car is made in an ascetic style. Despite the minimum amenities, a pair of soft chairs and two longitudinally folding seats are provided inside. Such a solution made it possible to transport a brigade or a military unit of about seven fighters.

Operation

The most interesting feature in the design of the UAZ all-terrain vehicle of the Jaguar project is the buoyancy of the amphibian. She showed the possibility of overcoming water obstacles with two dozen people on board. The first models were equipped with water rudders to increase maneuverability on the water, but this decision led to ambiguous situations.

One of the tests on the Volga River showed that after the maneuvers, the water steering wheel simply disappeared. Most likely, it broke off as a result of a collision with a solid obstacle. In addition to the fact that the testers did not notice the loss of the steering wheel, the maneuverability of the all-terrain vehicle remained at the same level. The front wheels did a good job of handling the steering function, resulting in the water steering being considered an unnecessary addition.

If we note the cross-country ability of the car in question in bad road conditions, the model was not inferior to the basic modification 3151. The only drawback is the high weight of the car, which was 400 kilograms higher than that of its predecessor. In this case, both options were equipped with engines of 2.5 liters. The disadvantage was to some extent leveled by flata bottom that allows you to get out of large snowdrifts or swampy areas. In addition, situations were observed when the amphibian actually swam in liquid mud.

What do the experts say?

The floating parameters of the UAZ Jaguar car, the photo of which is presented above, are designed in such a way as to amaze the average user as much as possible. According to the results of a series of tests, the commission concluded that this amphibian needs a more powerful motor. A three-liter engine was installed on subsequent modifications.

Because the ATV did not have a differential-type transfer case, the life of the bridges was higher than that of road vehicles of the same category. After installing a more powerful power unit, experts noted an increase in torque and speed indicators both on land and in water.

Competitors

Gibbs cars can be noted among foreign analogues. In this segment, a foreign developer presents two options related to modern amphibians:

1. The Phibian is renowned for being a completely new kind of floating SUV. It is equipped with a diesel engine with a turbine, the power of which is 500 horsepower. There is a choice of the type of movement in three variations: water jet, front or all-wheel drive. Three crew members, 12 passengers or 1500 kilograms of cargo are placed on board.
2. Amphibious Humdinga I is an all-terrain vehicle equipped with a supercharged V8 engine. Powerthe unit is 350 horsepower, the drive is permanent full. Depending on the design features, the amphibian can transport up to 750 kilograms of various cargo or seven people.

Both modifications can travel at speeds up to 26 knots, and all-terrain vehicles take no more than ten seconds to transform from water to land.

Finally

Despite the fact that the UAZ-3907 Jaguar amphibious all-terrain vehicle proved to be excellent in tests, the economy intervened in its fate. The lack of finances and sponsors put an end to the further development of the project.

Closed it permanently in 1990. Nevertheless, the issue on this machine cannot be called completely resolved. Such an amphibian will be useful not only in the army, but also in the fishing, hunting and agricultural sectors. To a large extent, the future of the UAZ-3907 car of the Jaguar project depends on timely funding and faith in the development of this technology.