GAZ-3105
The GAZ-3105, often referred as a Volga, is an automobile manufactured by the Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (GAZ, Gorky Automobile Plant) from 1992 to 1996.
| GAZ-3105 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | GAZ |
| Production | 1992–1996 |
| Assembly | Russia: Nizhny Novgorod |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Audi 100 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm (113.0 in) |
| Length | 5,050 mm (198.8 in) |
| Width | 1,820 mm (71.7 in) |
| Height | 1,430 mm (56.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,600–1,800 kg (3,527.4–3,968.3 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | GAZ-3102 GAZ-14 |
| Successor | GAZ-3111 |
History
In the 1980s, GAZ was looking for a new and modern vehicle to replace the aging executive car GAZ-3102 Volga, but also the larger GAZ-14 Chaika limousine. For this reason, GAZ began to develop a new family of vehicles with front, rear and all-wheel drive, the models were named GAZ-3103, GAZ-3104 and GAZ-3105 depending on the version.
The design was partly derived from the third-generation Audi 100/200, from which the cross-section of the body along the B-pillar, the transmission arrangement, and some other mechanical parts were used. For example, the steering rack and CV joints are taken from the Audi 100. The all-wheel drive system on the GAZ-3105 is also very similar to the Quattro system used in the Audi V8. In addition, the push-button climate control unit along with the entire system is borrowed from the Lancia Thema, the paddle shifters are from the Ford Scorpio, and the luxurious heated front seats with electric drives and memory are borrowed from the Volvo 940.[1][2][3][4] However, since it was much smaller and slightly less powerful than the GAZ-14, it was placed between the GAZ-3102 and the GAZ-14 in GAZ's product lineup. Compared to the Volga series vehicles derived from the GAZ-24 (GAZ-3102, GAZ-31029, GAZ-3110 and GAZ-31105), the GAZ-3105 had a completely new body and few internal components in common with them. The vehicles featured MacPherson strut suspension, V8 engine with fuel injection for the 3105 luxury variant, and CV front and rear axles. The 3.4 liter V8 engine used in the GAZ-3105 used some parts from the 1.5L VAZ 21083 I4 engine used in the Lada Samara. The GAZ-3103 was the base model with front-wheel drive and the newly developed ZMZ-406 4-cylinder 2.3 liter engine, while the GAZ-3104 had rear-wheel drive, and the GAZ-3105 was the luxury variant with the 3.4 liter V8 engine. The GAZ-3103 and GAZ-3104 were intended to replace the GAZ-3102, while the GAZ-3105 was intended to replace the Chaika. The first prototypes were on the road in 1987. The GAZ-3103, 3104, and 3105 cars were slightly larger than the older Volgas and due to the new chassis they had they were much more modern, safe, and had a more robust structure, as proven in a crash test.
Due to many economic problems at GAZ, development was stopped several times, and finally in 1992 only production of the GAZ-3105 began, while the other cheaper variants were abandoned. Even after the start of production, the economic situation in post-Soviet Russia made sales difficult, and in the end only 55 vehicles were produced. Nevertheless, GAZ tried to produce a second generation of the GAZ-3105 and presented a modernized prototype at the 1996 Moscow Motor Show. In addition, new variants of the 3103 and 3104 were also built. The project was eventually abandoned in favor of the GAZ-3111 Volga, which was equally unsuccessful.
Nevertheless, the design of the ZMZ-406 engine was successful, and in the late 1990s it was available in the GAZ-3102 Volga, GAZ-31029 Volga, GAZ-3110 Volga, GAZ-31105 Volga, GAZelle, and the RAF M1 'Roksana' and RAF M2 'Stils'. Production of this engine continued until 2026. In addition, based on the ZMZ-406, the more powerful ZMZ-405 and ZMZ-409, as well as the ZMZ-514 diesel and its modifications, were developed. These engines, with the exception of the ZMZ-514, are still being produced.
References
- ↑ "ГАЗ-3105 «Волга»: легковой автомобиль представительского класса". Fishki.net. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ↑ "ГАЗ-3105: "Капиталистическата" кола на Съветския съюз". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ↑ https://www.drive2.ru/l/658233632158137847/
- ↑ https://dzen.ru/a/Z7mgqszAU2-rvUIN
External links
Media related to GAZ-3105 at Wikimedia Commons- Призрак перестройки: история разработки и небытия ГАЗ-3105