Spicer Bridge
The front part of the frame was strengthened even before the appearance of the GAZelle NN. This was done based on the results of tests of cars with a driver's airbag. The middle and back parts have not changed. But the rear axle is new, Spicer type, more durable. Rumors that all GAZelles now have a unit from the heaviest version at 4.6 tons have not been confirmed: the axles differ depending on the total weight.
All-metal van Gazelle Next
For now, the majority of audio systems are simpler, but soon they will be completely replaced by double-din ones.
For now, the majority of audio systems are simpler, but soon they will be completely replaced by double-din ones.
A pilot batch of minibuses should appear in early summer. These will be both tourist modifications and minibuses. In the route transportation market, GAZelle Next has an excellent chance of ousting foreign cars. A relatively inexpensive minibus with a high roof simply has no competitors in terms of price and quality ratio. Even conversions from imported vans are more expensive than branded GAZ minibuses. But something tells me that, by hook or by crook, minibuses converted from all-metal Next vans will seep into the market.
Safety
This is a real breakthrough. Incandescent lamps remain only in the rear lights. Headlights of all versions and optional foglights are based on Osram LED modules. A driver's airbag, all disc brakes and ESP are included as standard. There will also be a passenger airbag.
All-round cameras, a blind spot monitoring system and all-round parking sensors will appear soon. But the advertised adaptive cruise, auto braking and lane control are a prospect for at least three years.
All GAZelles are now equipped with LED headlights.
All GAZelles are now equipped with LED headlights.
Bumper? Three-section
In light urban accidents, it is often not the entire front end that is damaged, but one of the corners.
Therefore, sometimes bumpers are divided into three parts vertically: central and two side. If the damage is minor, you can replace one part and save money. When they told me that a three-section bumper was also installed on the GAZelle NN, I began to look for vertical joints. But they are not there. Nizhny Novgorod has its own atmosphere, and the bumper was divided... horizontally. And the third part is the radiator grille. They say it’s technologically simpler and cheaper. In what kind of accident will such a scheme help save money? If only during a winter flight into a snowdrift...
The new instrument cluster is easy to read. The architecture is like that of a modern passenger car: analogue speedometer and tachometer, fuel level and antifreeze temperature sensors on LCD indicators and a color display in the middle.
The new instrument cluster is easy to read. The architecture is like that of a modern passenger car: analogue speedometer and tachometer, fuel level and antifreeze temperature sensors on LCD indicators and a color display in the middle.
A media system with a 9-inch screen and navigation is standard equipment. The panel has two 12V outlets and two USB ports. The pocket at the top of the panel is thought out to the smallest detail. Its lid has built-in holders for smartphones and tablets: no need to spend money on buying a separate one. Do you remember a similar detail from the very first GAZelle? How did minibus drivers keep coins under its crooked, constantly raised lid in a homemade organizer?
A media system with a 9-inch screen and navigation is standard equipment. The panel has two 12V outlets and two USB ports. The pocket at the top of the panel is thought out to the smallest detail. Its lid has built-in holders for smartphones and tablets: no need to spend money on buying a separate one. Do you remember a similar detail from the very first GAZelle? How did minibus drivers keep coins under its crooked, constantly raised lid in a homemade organizer?
The interior is completely new, with Volkswagen motifs visible in it. According to Gazovites, they focused exclusively on Crafter and Sprinter. But Transit and the “French”, they say, are not on their level. But they did not forget to adapt Western values to Russia. The steering wheel is still old (with an airbag on all versions), but another one will appear soon, with heating, control of the media system and “cruise”. But a heated windshield has already been introduced.
The interior is completely new, with Volkswagen motifs visible in it. According to Gazovites, they focused exclusively on Crafter and Sprinter. But Transit and the “French”, they say, are not on their level. But they did not forget to adapt Western values to Russia. The steering wheel is still old (with an airbag on all versions), but another one will appear soon, with heating, control of the media system and “cruise”. But a heated windshield has already been introduced.
The width of the window sill was increased at the request of drivers to make it more convenient to place a hand on it. The speakers have moved higher.
The width of the window sill was increased at the request of drivers to make it more convenient to place a hand on it. The speakers have moved higher.
There are two USB connectors in the overhead console - for the tachograph and the DVR. The lamp is LED, there is an eyeglass case. Handle on the ceiling? Why not: the average passenger can grab hold of it on a bad road and hang up their jacket if for some reason the hook behind the rear wall is not satisfactory.
There are two USB connectors in the overhead console - for the tachograph and the DVR. The lamp is LED, there is an eyeglass case. Handle on the ceiling? Why not: the average passenger can grab hold of it on a bad road and hang up their jacket if for some reason the hook behind the rear wall is not satisfactory.
The driver's seat is luxurious. In addition to the standard adjustments, there are adjustable lumbar support, cushion length, and cushion height separately along the front and rear edges. But the main thing is that the seat is sprung, like on “adult” trucks. By turning the dial you select the driver's weight (up to 150 kg), and based on this the degree of resistance of the seat suspension is adapted. The bottle holders near the knees of the driver and passenger are no longer stationary, but retractable.
The driver's seat is luxurious. In addition to the standard adjustments, there are adjustable lumbar support, cushion length, and cushion height separately along the front and rear edges. But the main thing is that the seat is sprung, like on “adult” trucks. By turning the dial you select the driver's weight (up to 150 kg), and based on this the degree of resistance of the seat suspension is adapted. The bottle holders near the knees of the driver and passenger are no longer stationary, but retractable.
Keyless entry and push-button engine start are standard. Delivery drivers who hop in and out of the cab dozens of times a day will appreciate it. There is also a parking brake button. It’s convenient when in a second you can start the engine and remove the handbrake (the car is not trained to release it on its own).
Keyless entry and push-button engine start are standard. Delivery drivers who hop in and out of the cab dozens of times a day will appreciate it. There is also a parking brake button. It’s convenient when in a second you can start the engine and remove the handbrake (the car is not trained to release it on its own).
The main “hardware” innovation is a 6-speed manual gearbox, GAZ’s own development. It is installed on NN with all motors. The resource is estimated at at least 300 thousand km, the digestible torque is up to 450 Nm. The prescribed oil change interval is once every 60 thousand km, which is rare these days. Usually they say “for the entire service life,” and the owner himself racks his brains: how not to screw up the box ahead of time, and not overpay for unnecessarily frequent replacements. With the diesel engine, the gear ratios of the first three stages have increased. Especially strong in the first, from 3.8 to 5.1. The fourth and fifth remained at the same numbers, 1 and 0.8, respectively. The sixth has 0.6. They promise that at a speed of 100 km/h, fuel economy thanks to the additional stage will be one and a half liters per hundred.
The main “hardware” innovation is a 6-speed manual gearbox, GAZ’s own development. It is installed on NN with all motors. The resource is estimated at at least 300 thousand km, the digestible torque is up to 450 Nm. The prescribed oil change interval is once every 60 thousand km, which is rare these days. Usually they say “for the entire service life,” and the owner himself racks his brains: how not to screw up the box ahead of time, and not overpay for unnecessarily frequent replacements. With the diesel engine, the gear ratios of the first three stages have increased. Especially strong in the first, from 3.8 to 5.1. The fourth and fifth remained at the same numbers, 1 and 0.8, respectively. The sixth has 0.6. They promise that at a speed of 100 km/h, fuel economy thanks to the additional stage will be one and a half liters per hundred.
GAZelle NN will be produced in three modifications: a flatbed truck, an all-metal van and a bus. All with a Cummins 2.8 diesel engine (still 150 hp). At Next, it accounts for about half of the demand, and only diesel is used for the heaviest versions. The Evotech gasoline engine has grown in volume from 2.7 to 3.0 liters and has become more powerful: 122 horsepower instead of 107. They claim that the engine’s reliability has noticeably increased. The lion's share of Next GAZelles with this unit are sold with LPG, so the NN will immediately come in three forms: pure gasoline, bifuel for propane-butane (LPG) or methane (CNG). They promise an electric car, but no details yet. A regular electric bus route has recently appeared in Nizhny Novgorod, which is served by GAZelle NN electric vehicles.
GAZelle NN will be produced in three modifications: a flatbed truck, an all-metal van and a bus. All with a Cummins 2.8 diesel engine (still 150 hp). At Next, it accounts for about half of the demand, and only diesel is used for the heaviest versions. The Evotech gasoline engine has grown in volume from 2.7 to 3.0 liters and has become more powerful: 122 horsepower instead of 107. They claim that the engine’s reliability has noticeably increased. The lion's share of Next GAZelles with this unit are sold with LPG, so the NN will immediately come in three forms: pure gasoline, bifuel for propane-butane (LPG) or methane (CNG). They promise an electric car, but no details yet. A regular electric bus route has recently appeared in Nizhny Novgorod, which is served by GAZelle NN electric vehicles.
