Gazelle

GAZ
	GAZelle school bus
Gazelle
Manufacturer:	Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod
Sales designation:	ГАЗель
Production period:	1994-2010
Previous model:	none
Successor:	GAZelle-Business ; GAZelle NEXT ; GAZ Sobol
	Technical specifications
Designs:	Box vans , minibuses , flatbed trucks
Engines:	; Otto engines : 2.4–2.9 liters ; (65–112 kW) ; Diesel engines : ; 2.1 liters ; (70–81 kW)
Length:	5500 mm
Width:	1966 mm
Height:	2200 mm
Wheelbase:	2900 mm
Payload:	up to 1.5 t

The GAZelle ( Russian ГАЗель , GAZel ) is a van of the Russian automobile factory Gorkowski Avtomobilny Sawod (GAZ), which was produced in Nizhny Novgorod from 1994 to 2010 . Originally it was a development project by Leyland DAF and Renault as the successor to the Leyland DAF 200-400 and the Renault Master . When Leyland DAF went bankrupt, GAZ acquired their stake and developed the GAZelle from it, while Renault created the Renault Master II and Iveco Daily III together with Iveco . The GAZelle is very widespread in Russia and other Eastern European and Central Asian countries and is used both as a transporter (including an ambulance ) and in local public transport (the most common type of car for marshrutka ). It was the manufacturer's most successful type after the end of the Soviet Union. Since the appearance of the successor GAZelle-Business , only the GAZelle-Standard with the 2003 modernized body and partially modernized technology has been produced. After the full production start of the GAZelle NEXT , these variants will no longer be produced either.

Model history

On July 20, 1994, production of the model series began as the GAZ-3302 . Chassis for various superstructures, flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses or minibuses with a payload of up to 1.5 tons were gradually produced on the platform . The curb weight is given as 2650–2800 kg. In the front, disc brakes with floating calipers from Lucas were installed. The 4-cylinder petrol engine UMP-4.215 (Euro 0) with 2890 cm³ and 65 kW (89 PS) or 70 kW (96 PS) or the 4-cylinder petrol engine ZMZ-402 (Euro 0) from the GAZ produced Volga models with 72 kW (98 hp). There was also a GAZ 560 diesel engine developed by Steyr Motors with 2134 cm³ and 70 kW (95 PS) (Euro 1), later with a turbo charger 81 kW (110 PS) (Euro 2). In June 1995, a small series with all-wheel drive was produced for the first time, and for the first time there were LPG retrofits because the engine consumed very much. At the same time, the GAZ-33023 followed as a station wagon / delivery van for up to five passengers and 1000 kg payload as a so-called GAZelle Bauer at a lower entry-level price.

With all-wheel drive as GAZ-330273 . The GAZ-2705 was offered as a panel van with a payload of 1350 kg and two seats, as a station wagon with six seats and 1 tonne payload, each with sliding doors on both sides. From January 1996 the GAZ-3221 minibus was available with eight seats, derived from the GAZ 2705, which received separate air conditioning and heating for the passenger compartment. In the summer of 1996 it was also available with permanent all-wheel drive as GAZ-32217 .

In March 1996 the minibus GAZ-32213 followed with up to 13 seats, from summer 1996 also with permanent all-wheel drive as GAZ-322137 . From July 1996 the GAZ-32214 was produced as an ambulance and from August 1996 the GAZ-322132 was available, a small public service bus with a sliding front door and 10 or 12 seats. Of Semar the GAZelle was between 1995 and 2007 on the basis Semar-3234 produced. In addition to school buses and ambulances, other special versions such as hearses are also produced. The Semar-3234 was the best-selling model made on the GAZelle basis by third-party manufacturers.

Shortened versions of the Gazelle have also been produced since 1998, the GAZ-2217 "Sobol" for passenger transport and the GAZ-2252 "Sobol" as a delivery van. The maximum payload is limited to 980 kg. The GAZ-22171 Barguzin minivan, the only one from the GAZelle / Sobol family, has a low roof. There were versions with all-wheel drive (4 × 4) of all model variants.

From 2002, long versions of the GAZelle were also offered as standard, which had originally only been custom-made as a chassis or tow truck.

Series II

The second generation started in January 2003, recognizable from the outside by a newly designed front with a radiator grille, bumpers and headlights. Inside, the dashboard has been redesigned and the seats have been improved. The technology has also been overhauled. The 4-cylinder UMZ-4216 petrol engine with 2890 cm³ and 75 kW (102 PS) (Euro 2) replaced the UMZ-4.215, the ZMZ-4062 (Euro 2) with 104 kW (142 PS) replaced the previous ZMZ engine. The diesel engine is now only with turbocharger and charge air cooling built, however, remains the same in performance, but is more economical and is now reaching the emission standard Euro 3. These measures were necessary because the GAZelle also for example to Poland or the Czech Republic is exported and here the sharper regulations of the European Union with the exhaust regulations apply.

The one millionth GA cell was manufactured in August 2005. At the same time an anti-lock braking system became available, which was used as standard in the combi / bus variants and the heavier versions. At the same time, the market share of the GAZelle on the home market began to decline due to more modern models from foreign manufacturers such as the Fiat Ducato and the Hyundai Porter . The UMZ-4216 was therefore revised with 78 kW (106 hp), but still with an uneconomically high fuel consumption of 15 to 20 l / 100 km.

Since GAZ did not want to develop an independent model, they participated in LDV . The plan was to build the LDV Maxus in Russia as the successor to the GAZelle from 2007. Financial bottlenecks postponed this time and again and models of the Maxus were first imported. In 2008 the assembly of CKD kits started. At the same time, the GAZelle did not have a diesel engine in order to avoid unnecessary competition with the Maxus. The UMP-4.215 was replaced by a 2.4-liter DOHC gasoline engine manufactured under license. The output of the ZMZ-4062 increased to 112 kW (152 PS).

Due to the bankruptcy of LDV and the purchase of all rights by SAIC , GAZ had to completely reorient itself. Therefore, the development of the GAZelle business was tackled as an interim solution. After this larger and more modern model entered the market in 2010, production of the GAZ cell was gradually discontinued. Since 2011, only the small standard models have been available as entry-level vehicles. The GAZelle NEXT model, which has been available since 2013 , will replace both the GAZelle and the GAZelle Business in the long term.