GAZelle

GAZelle
GAZelle
	GAZelle with the restyled front end introduced in 2003
Overview
Manufacturer	GAZ (Gorky Automobile Plant)
Production	1994–present
Assembly	Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (GAZ); Rokiškis, Lithuania (UAB "Automašinų verslo centras", 2000–2008); Simferopol, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine (KrimAvtoGAZ, 1995–2006); Söğütlü, Turkey (Mersa Otomotiv, 2012–); Haciqabul, Azerbaijan (Azermash, 2021–);
Body and chassis
Class	Light commercial vehicle (M)
Body style	2-door dropside truck; 2/4-door pickup truck; 4-door panel van; 4-door minibus
Layout	FR layout
Related	GAZ-31029
Powertrain
Engine	petrol:; 2286 cc ZMZ-406 I4; 2429 cc Chrysler EDZ I4; 2445 cc ZMZ-402 I4; 2460 cc ZMZ-405 I4; 2890 cc UMZ-4216 I4; LPG:; 2890 cc UMZ-42164 I4; diesel:; 2134 cc GAZ-5602 I4; 2781 cc Cummins ISF turbo I4;
Transmission	5-speed manual
Chronology
Predecessor	RAF-2203
Successor	Gazelle NEXT

The GAZelle (Russian: ГАЗе́ль) is a series of light commercial vehicle—pickup trucks, vans and minibuses—made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. At the time of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and transition to a market economy, the Russian automobile industry had not produced a much-demanded LCV similar to the Ford Transit or VW T4 class. Although based on a large and heavy dedicated van chassis, the GAZelle initially shared many mechanical parts, such as the grille and headlights with the GAZ-31029; Riga Autobus Factory, which formerly manufactured minibuses for the whole USSR, remained in Latvia, and now required its vehicles be sold to the now-foreign Russian market for hard currency. Responding to this market opportunity, GAZ swiftly developed its own LCV called GAZelle (the name is a pun on "gazelle"), which, taken together with its lighter version, Sobol, now account for the majority of the Russian van and light truck market^[1] and have strong positions in the markets of other CIS countries, ranking as GAZ's most popular and successful products.^[2]

The GAZelle's design is superficially reminiscent of the 1986 Ford Transit,^[3]^[4] but the two cars have nothing in common.^[5]^[6]^[7] It has remained very successful on the Russian market despite minimal upgrades.

Model history

The development dates back to both Soviet designs of the 1980s, which were originally intended for production in a never commissioned vehicle plant in Kirovabad (Azerbaijan), as well as unofficial developments of the GAZ plant from the same period.^[6]

The project could only be pursued further by GAZ after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In August 1993 the GAZelle was presented at a motor show in Moscow, production started in July^[6] or at the end of 1994^[7] in Nizhny Novgorod.^[6]

On July 20, 1994, production of the model series began as the GAZ-3302. The platform was gradually used to produce chassis for various bodies, flatbed trucks, panel vans, and minibuses with a payload of up to 1.5 tonnes. The curb weight is given as 2650–2800 kg. At the front, disc brakes with floating calipers from Lucas were installed. The 4-cylinder UMP-4.215 (Euro 0) petrol engine with 2890 cc and 65 kW (89 hp) or 70 kW (96 hp) or the 4-cylinder ZMZ-402 petrol engine (Euro 0) from the GAZ Volga car models produced by GAZ with 72 kW (98 hp) took over the drive. The van also took the gearbox and transmission from the Volga. In addition, there was the GAZ 560 diesel engine developed by Steyr Motors with 2134 cc and 70 kW (95 hp) (Euro 1), later with turbocharger 81 kW (110 hp) (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 conversions, as the consumption of the engine was very high. At the same time, the GAZ-33023 followed as a station wagon/delivery van for up to five passengers and a payload of 1000 kg as a so-called GAZelle Bauer at a lower entry-level price.^[5]

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 ton payload, each with sliding doors on both sides. From January 1996, the GAZ-3221 minibus with eight seats, derived from the GAZ 2705, was available, which received a separate passenger compartment air conditioning and heating. In the summer of 1996, it was also available with permanent all-wheel drive as GAZ-32217.

In March 1996, the GAZ-32213 minibus with up to 13 seats followed, and 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 bus with a front sliding door and 10 or 12 seats. Semar was produced between 1995 and 2007 on the basis of the GAZelle of the Semar-3234. In addition to school buses and ambulances, other special versions such as hearses are also produced. The Semar-3234 was the best-selling model manufactured on the GAZelle basis by third-party manufacturers.

From 2002 onwards, long versions of the GAZelle were also offered as standard, which had originally only been produced as a chassis or tow truck in special production.

By 2005 one million GAZelles had been built. Apart from the CIS countries and Central and Eastern Europe, GAZelles are exported to Asian and African markets, including Morocco^[8] and the Philippines.^[9]^[10]

In 2010–2011 the GAZelle family underwent a serious upgrade. The upgraded model was renamed GAZelle Business. The changes affected 20 main vehicle units and systems, including steering, brakes, gearbox, cooling system, transmission and interior.^[11]

After the market entry of this larger and more modern model in 2010, production of the GAZelle 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.^[12]^[13]

Generations

Name	Date	Photo
GAZelle	1994 – Start of production of the first generation. Initially released only vans. 1996 – Started production of minibuses 1998 – Started production of scaled-down version called Sobol^{[citation needed]}	\|
GAZelle	2003 – Started production of the second generation. Changes: new teardrop-shaped headlights instead of rectangular, new grille, new front bumper, increased space under the hood, rear colorless lenses turning lights, combined with the reversing light lenses. A new dashboard and power steering, steel versions are available with all-wheel drive. 2004 – ABS introduced 2006 – side repeaters turning lights moved from the front wings to the side mirrors, which were painted body color	\|
GAZelle-Business	2010 – Scale modernization, construction of 130 changes including a new grill combined with the bumper. Inside, the new family of vehicles differs from their predecessors by way of a front panel, steering wheel, standard audio head unit from Blaupunkt, new cab heater control unit or the front of the cabin. Engine UMZ – 4216 (fresh family car commercial - UMZ - 4216.10 ) got a new injection control program, whereby the maximum torque (220.5 Nm) is achieved at fairly low (for a gasoline engine) 2500 rpm. The family of " GAZelle Business " engine mountings were introduced Anvis Group, radiator with aluminum core TRM, Bosch electrical components and Brisk spark plugs. The drive brakes used Bosch products (in particular, the brake master cylinder and the brake servo), the drive clutch components and ZF Sachs, power steering from ZF Lenksysteme was introduced along with defroster door mirrors as standard. New modification of the car with 2010 was equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine (Cummins ISF American development). 2011 – In the factory catalog, the first appearance of a shuttle van with a high roof. 2013 – Started producing modifications with bi-fuel petrol-gas engine.	\|
GAZelle Next	2013 – started production of a completely new LCV, while the production of the 2010 version continues.	\|

Models

GAZ-3302 dropside truck and chassis, rear-wheel drive, regular three-seat cab
GAZ-33021 dropside truck and chassis, improved, RWD
GAZ-33023 dropside truck and chassis, all-wheel drive
GAZ-33027 dropside truck and chassis, six-seat "King Cab" extended cab, RWD
GAZ-330237 dropside truck and chassis, extended cab, AWD
GAZ-3221 minibus, 8 seats, RWD
GAZ-32213 minibus, 13 seats, RWD
GAZ-322132 minibus, 13 seats (marshrutka, for shuttle services), RWD
GAZ-2705 panel van, RWD
GAZ-27051 ambulance, RWD
GAZ-27052 Combi panel van, extended cab, RWD
GAZ-27057 Combi panel van, extended cab, AWD

Variants

The GAZ Sobol is a lighter duty version of the GAZelle, built on a shorter wheelbase. It was introduced in 1998.

The GAZ Valdai is a heavier duty version of the GAZelle, and is essentially only sharing the cab with the GAZelle, being based on the completely different larger and heavier GAZ-3307 truck chassis.

The GAZelle cabin is also used for building tracked all-terrain carriers such as GAZ-3409 «Bobr» (Beaver).^[14]

Before GAZ introduced its own GAZelle-based minibus, various smaller Russian factories launched rebuilding of freight GAZelles into minibuses ("Pskova-2214", "STG-01") and different custom vehicles.^[15] A few Russian and Ukrainian factories still produce custom buses and ambulances based on GAZelles of "Business" and "NEXT" generations.

Trim levels

Before the 2010 upgrade, customers were not given the opportunity to select options. Currently the Gazelle-Business can be ordered with a rear differential lock, ABS braking system, "de luxe" instrument panel, and the "Package" option that includes fog lights, electroproof mirrors, front electric windows, dashboard "de luxe" (radio control buttons on the steering wheel and audio package) and central locking of the front doors.

The succeeding GAZelle NEXT generation of LCVs has its own schedule of basic trim levels and options.